UNIT 1 Vocab - Biological bases of behavior

Genetic predisposition

an inherited increase likelihood of developing a particular disease or condition due to your genetic makeup

Eugenics

theory that humans can be improved through selective breeding of populations

Twin Studies

investigate the role of genetics versus environment (nature vs. nurture) in shaping psychological traits by comparing identical twins and fraternal twins

Peripheral Nervous System

nerves outside of spinal cord & brain

feeds information into your brain from senses, carries signals to brain, and signals that allows you to move muscles

somatic nervous system

voluntary control of skeletal muscles & sensory functions (touch, sight, hearing)

autonomic nervous system

controls unconscious, involuntary bodily functions like heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and blood pressure

sympathetic nervous system

fight or flight

parasympathetic nervous system

rest and digest

glial cells

essential non-neuronal cells, provide support, structure, and nourishment to neurons

reflex arc

allows the body to react to a stimulus before the brain process the information.

inter neurons

a neuron which transmits impulses between other neurons

multiple sclerosis

Body’s immune system attacks the myelin sheaths, damages transmission of nerve signals

myasthenia gravis

autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, causing weakness in voluntary muscles

agonist (medicine)

a substance that mimics the actions of a neurotransmitter or hormone to produce a response when it binds to a specific receptor in the brain.

antagonist (medicine)

blocks or reduces the activity of a specific neurotransmitter or substance

reuptake inhibitor

a drug that works by blocking the reabsorption of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) from the synaptic cleft into the nerve cell that released them

contralateral organization

in which one side of the brain controls or processes information from the opposite side of the body.

Ex right hemisphere controls the left side of body

lesioning procedure

creating a lesion, or damaged area, in tissue, often a nerve, to block pain signals

adrenaline

enhances alertness

leptin

regulates appetite

ghrelin

stimulates appetite

melatonin

regulates sleep awake cycle

oxytocin

social bonding “snuggle” hormone - facilitates attachment and trust