Unit 1

Genetic Predisposition

The increased chance of developing a specific trait or condition/specific trait due to our genes

What is Universal Grammar and who was this idea developed by?

It suggests brain has blueprint for language structure and babies are born to understand language, developed by Noam Chomsky.

How many chromosomes and pairs does a human cell have

46 chromosomes, 23 pairs

What is nature versus nurture? (give examples)

Nature refers to genetics which affect eye, hair and body. Nurture is everything else regarding our environment.

What did John B Watson believe?

He believed that behavior is shaped by the environment.

Another name for identical twins, and what egg do they develop from?

Monozygotic Twins, develop from one fertilized egg, same gender

Another name for faternal twins, and what egg do they develop from?

Dizygotic twins, develop from 2 eggs. Different DNA

Zygote

Fertilized egg

Who is Thomas Bouchard?

He conducted an IQ study on adopted twins of identical twins in different environments. He concluded environments had some impact on IQ, but genetics played a major role for determining IQ.

Epigenetics (give example)

Study of how behaviors and environment affect how genes work without changing DNA. Like: Diet and exercise, always changeable.

What was the Minnesota “Jim Twin Study?”

When these twins were raised apart, they had similar behavioral and intellectual factors.

Heritability

measurement of amount of variation among genetics compared to others

Turner’s Syndrome (what disorder is it, and what do people with it have)

Single X chromosome in the spot usually occupied by 23rd pair. Have short stature, webbed necks, and differences in gender development.

Klinefelter’s Syndrome (what disorder is it, and what do people with it have)

Have an extra X chromosome, resulting in XXY pattern. Minimal gender development and personality traits, like extremely introverted.

Down syndrome (what disorder is it, and what do people with it have)

Born with extra chromosome on 21st pair. Round face, short fingers + toes, slanted eyes far apart, intellectual disability.

Neurons

Individual nerve cells

Dendrites

Stretch out of cell body, grow to make synaptic connections with other neurons

Cell Body (Soma)

contains nucleus and other vital parts of neuron head

Axon

Wirelike, ends in terminal buttons

Mylein Sheath

fatty covering around axon of SOME neurons, speeds neural impulses

Multiple sclerosis

When myelin sheath deteriorates

Terminal Buttons

End of Axon and contains neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals in terminal buttons to allow neurons communicate. Fit in receptor sites of dendrites like lock and key

Synapse

Space between terminal buttons of neurons

Neural transmission

Neuron transmits message

Resting state of neuron, what is it called and what charge does it have

Resting potential, -70mV (negative ions INSIDE cell, positive OUTSIDE cell)

Threshold, what charge does it add?

When enough neurotransmitters are received, cell membrane of other neuron turns permeable and positive ions rush to cell (adds +40 mV)

Action Potential, (what it is and how fast does it travel)

Electric message firing, 120 meters per second

All-or-none-principle

When a neuron either fires completely or does not fire (never in the middle)

Depolarization

Negative to positive charge in neuron cell due to firing cuz of resting potential of cell