AP Psychology Unit 1

Behavior Genetics

Study of relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Natural Selection and Adaption

Successful traits are passed on to offspring - survival of the fittest ensures survival of species

Mutation

Random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Genetically Predisposed

Being naturally more inclined for something because of genes

Genome

Complete instructions of a species

DNA

Helix structure

Genes

Biochemical units of heredity - 20,000

Epigenetics

The study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence genetic expression (without a DNA change)

Sensory (afferent) Neurons

Carry incoming info from body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the CNS.

Interneurons

Neurons within CNS, communication internally, and process info between sensory inputs and motor outputs.

Motor (efferent) Neurons

Carry outgoing info from CNS to muscles and glands.

Nervous System

Body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

Nerves

Bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the CNS with muscles, glands, and sensory organs

Central NS

Brain + Brainstem + Spinal Cord,

Reflexes: Reflex Arc, Knee-jerk Reflex, Pain Reflex

Peripheral NS

Gathering sensory and enacting motor

Somatic NS

Responsible for your voluntary BODY movements

Autonomic NS

Involuntary (done, happening, or existing without conscious control)

EX. Muscle spasms, eye twitching, breathing, etc.

Sympathetic NS

Arousing/Fight-Flight (an automatic, physical reaction to a perceived threat or danger that prepares your body to either confront the challenge or run away).

Parasympathetic NS

Calms/conserves energy

Dendrites

Receives chemical messages from other cells called neurotransmitters

Cell Body

The cell’s life-support center

Axon

Passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands

Neural Impulse

Action potential; electrical signal traveling down the axon

Myelin Sheath

Covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

Terminal branches of axon

Form junctions with other cells

Nodes of Ranvier

Speeds up the electrical impulse of messages

Resting Potential

The electrical charge across a cell membrane when the cell is not active or sending signals.

Positive Potential (Depolarization)

Incoming signals make the inside of the neuron more positive.

Synapse Reuptake

The process where presynaptic neuron reabsorbs a released neurotransmitter

Nerve Impulse

An electrical signal that travels along a nerve fiber to transmit messages quickly through the body

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Slow or stop an action

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Movement, forming memories, and learning. Deteriorates with Alzheimer’s (ALZ).

Dopamine

Makes you feel happy, feel emotions, helps facilitate movement, both excitatory and inhibitory, learning and attention. Too much you may develop schizophrenia (hallucinations), too little you may develop Parkinson’s (symptoms include tremors, affects brain, and speech).

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Too little leads to depression.

Norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal. Not enough can depress mood.

GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. For example, after you run a mile his would calm your heart rate and slow things down. Not enough GABA leads to insomnia, seizures, and tremors.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that trigger a positive change in a receiving cell

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory. Too much can overstimulate the brain and lead to headaches.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain or pleasure. Not enough, you will feel more pain, too much your like a zombie but your not feeling anything.

Substance P

Involved in Pain perception and immune response.