Biology and Psychology Key Concepts: DNA, Lipids, Neural Signals, and Evolution

Term

Definition/Concept

STRs

Short Tandem Repeats: Repeating units (usually 4-5 nucleotides long) used for DNA comparison.

Triglycerides

A type of lipid with a long hydrocarbon chain; provides the highest amount of energy per gram of any macromolecule.

Saturated Fats

Solid at room temperature; do not contain double bonds.

Unsaturated Fats

Liquid at room temperature; contain at least one double bond.

BMR

Basal Metabolism Rate: Energy needed to maintain life at rest, without activity, digestion, etc.

a-Amylase

Enzyme in saliva that begins breaking down starches (carbohydrates).

Bile

A detergent secreted by the liver that breaks up clusters of fats in the small intestine.

Vitamins & Minerals

Don't yield energy; support biochemical processes by serving as parts of enzymes.

Sex Investment Asymmetry

Initial energetic investment in reproduction is typically larger for females (gametes, gestation, lactation).

Sexual Dimorphism

Distinct physical differences between males and females of the same species.

Polygyny

Mating system where one male bonds with multiple females (high variance in male reproductive success).

Myelin Shealth

produced by glial cells that insulates axons and speeds up the action potential.

Action Potential

A self-propagating, all-or-none electrical signal that travels down a neuron's axon.

Depolarization

The phase of an action potential where Sodium (Na+) rushes into the cell, making the cell potential positive.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory cells responsible for smell and taste.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter released in the brain's pleasure centers (mesolimbic area), stimulating repeated behavior.

Caffeine's Mechanism

Blocks Adenosine receptors, preventing the inhibition of brain activity, making you feel alert.

Botox's Mechanism

Prevents the release of Acetylcholine at the neuron/muscle synapse, causing paralysis.

Alcohol's CNS Effects

Mimics GABA (reducing anxiety) and blocks Glutamate (impairing coordination/speech).

Acetaldehyde

Toxic substance created when the liver breaks down Ethanol; causes "Fast Flushing."

EEA

Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness: The hunter-gatherer world our brains evolved in.

Prepared Learning

Biological constraints that make some associations (like taste aversion) easier to learn than others.

Culture's Role

Ideas transmitted by extracellular means that can free humans from biological constraints.