chapter 3 biopsychology

genotype

genetic makeup of an organism

Phenotype

physical characteristics of an organism

Alleles

Different forms of a gene

Gene-Environment Interactions

Genes and environment work together to shape traits

Twin & Adoption Studies

show the influence of genes vs environment by comparing identical twins or adopted kids to biological family

What are neurons?

Nerve cells

What is the primary function of neurons?

To initiate, transmit, and receive nerve impulses

What do neurons help control?

The body and brain

soma (cell body)

the main part, holding the nucleus

Dendrites

The branchlike structure that receives signals

Axon

long fiber that sends signals

axon hillock

where the axon starts (join the cell body)

Axon Terminal

end of the axon, releasing chemical messengers

Synapse

connection between neurons

Resting Membrane Potential

Cells have a charge difference: the inside is negative, and the outside is positive.

Sodium (Na+)

more outside the cell ( Nah I'm out)

Potassium (K+)

more inside the cell ( K I'm in)

Ion Channels

gates in the cell membrane that open/close letting ions in or out

Action Potential

- Electric Signal in Neurons (nerve impulse)

- The signal travels like a wave down the axon

steps of action potential:

resting state > depolarization > repolarization > hyperpolarization

resting state

ready but inactive

Depolarization

sodium (Na+) rushes in, making the cell positive

Repolarization

Potassium (K+) exits, returning to negative

Hyperpolarization

Too much negativity, then back to normal

Synaptic Transmission

neurons send signals via chemicals (neurotransmitters)

Synaptic Vesicles

store neurotransmitters in the axon terminal

Synaptic Cleft

space between neurons

Receptors

Receive neurotransmitters on the next neuron

Neurotransmitters Excitatory

increase the neuron activity (Glutamate: helps with learning and memory)

Neurotransmitters Inhibitory

decrease the neuron activity (GABA: calms the brain)

Pituitary Gland

Master gland controlling other endocrine glands.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that affect mood, growth, and metabolism.

CNS (central nervous system)

Brain and spinal cord.

PNS (peripheral nervous system) includes

Somatic System, Autonomic System, Sympathetic, and Parasympathetic

Somatic system

voluntary control actions (the move of your hand)

Autonomic system

involuntary (heartbeat)

Sympathetic

fight or flight response

Parasympathetic

rest and digest mode

frontal lobe

associated with thinking, planning, and decision-making

Prefrontal Cortex

High level of thinking

Broca's Area

speech production

motor cortex

Control Movements

Parietal lobe

Process touch and sensation

Somatosensory Cortex

Maps of the body for touch

temporal lobe

hearing and language

Auditory Cortex

process sounds

Wernicke's Area

Language comprehension

occipital lobe

process visual information

Limbic System includes

hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, thalamus

Hippocampus

memory storage

Amygdala

emotions of fear and anger

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and emotions.

Thalamus

sensory relay center

Midbrain includes:

substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area

Substantia nigra

Controls movement, linked to Parkinson's.

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Involved in reward, motivation, cognition, and drug addiction.

Hindbrain includes:

medulla, pons, cerebellum

medulla

controls heartbeat and breathing

Pons

Regulates sleep and connects brain parts.

Cerebellum

Controls balance, coordination, and motor skills.