PSYCH CHAPTER 3

Mutation

A sudden, permanent change in a sequence of DNA.

Genotype

A person’s genetic makeup.

Phenotype

A person’s physical characteristics.

Epigenetics

The field of study that focuses on genes and their expression.

Chromosomes

Humans have 23 pairs of these.

Dendrites

Receive incoming signals from other neurons.

Agonist

Facilitates or mimics the activity of a given neurotransmitter system.

Myelin sheath

Multiple sclerosis involves a breakdown of this.

Action potential

Involves Na+ moving inside the cell and K+ moving outside the cell.

Somatic nervous system

Controls our ability to make our legs move as we walk.

Parasympathetic nervous system

If activated, you will feel relatively at ease.

Central nervous system

Comprised of the brain and spinal cord.

Sympathetic activation

Associated with both A and C (. pupil dilation 

b. storage of glucose in the live

Thalamus

A sensory relay station where all sensory information, except for smell, goes before being sent elsewhere in the brain.

Wernicke’s Area

Damage disrupts comprehension of language but leaves production intact.

MRI

Uses magnetic fields to create pictures of a given tissue.

Substantia nigra

Not a structure of the forebrain.

Glucagon and insulin

The two major hormones secreted from the pancreas.

Pituitary

Secretes messenger hormones that direct the function of the endocrine glands.

Adrenal gland

Secretes epinephrine.

Pituitary

Secretes hormones that regulate the body’s fluid levels.