Unit 2 Psychology (copy)

Behavior genetics

studies of the powers/limits of genetic and environmental influence on behavior

DNA

molecules containing genetic info that make up chromosomes

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that make genes

Genes

small segments of DNA molecules

Genome

the entirety of an organism’s genetic information

genotype

the set of genes we’re born with

phenotype

set of traits expressed, observable characteristics

Identical twins (monozygotic)

come from one zygote that splits during pregnancy

fraternal twins (dizygotic)

separate fertilized eggs

molecular genetics

subfield of biology that studies molecular structure of genes

heritability

extent to which variations among populations can be attributed to genes

interaction

interplay that occurs between genes and environment

Epigenetics

study of environmental influences on genetic expression that occur without DNA change

Body’s electrochemical network

consists of nerve cells in central and peripheral nervous systems

Central NS

brain and spinal cord (body’s decision maker)

Peripheral NS

comprised of sensory/motor neurons that connect CNS to rest of body (gathers info, transmits CNS decisions to other body parts)

Nerves

bundles of neurons that form cables connecting CNS with muscles, glands, and sensory organs

Neurons: Parts/Structure

Cell body, dendrites, axon, neural impulse

Cell body

cell’s life support center

dendrites

receive messages from other cells

axon

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

Sensory (afferent)

carry messages from body’s tissues/sensory receptors inward to spinal cord/brain for processing

Motor (efferent)

carry instructions from CNS to muscles/glands after receiving sensory

Interneurons

in CNS, override sensory during extreme situations (reflexes)

Spinal cord

two way information highway, connects nerve bundles of PNS and brain

Autonomic

controls glands and internal organs (automatic functions) breathing, heart, blinking, hunger

Somatic

enables voluntary control of skeletal muscles

Autonomic NS

regulator of emotions, stress, health, (fight or flight)

Sympathetic NS

excites fear/arousal

Parasympathetic NS

calms one down

Action Potential

electrical impulse that sends electrical charge down the nerve

Threshold

dormant charge that requires a stimulation level to trigger a neural impulse

Refractory period

neuron is unable to send chemical messages for short interval after just sending a message

All or Nothing Response

Neuron is either firing or not, no in between or different levels

Synapse, synaptic cleft

gap between neurons

Lock and Key

each neurotransmitter has corresponding receptor

Reuptake

excess neurotransmitters sent back/reabsorbed by original neuron

Neurotransmitters

carry messages for mental process and feelings and thoughts

Excitatory NT

triggers neighboring neurons and enhances action potential

Inhibitory NT

prevents neurons from sending signals to neighbors

Acetylcholine

muscle, learning, memory, can get Alzheimer’s without, both excitatory and inhibitory

Dopamine

movement, learning, attention, and emotion, too much gives Schizophrenia, too little gives Parkinson’s, Excitatory

Serotonin

mood, hunger, sleep, arousal. Undersupply = depression, inhibitory

Norepinephrine/adrenaline

alertness/arousal, Excitatory

GABA

inhibitory, reduces seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Glutamate

excitatory, memory

Agonist Drugs

amplify NT’s, heroin, oxycodone, methadone, morphine, alcohol

Antagonist Drugs

inhibits NT’s, botulin, curare, Naloxone

Endocrine system

body secretes and regulates hormones outside of NS

Hormones

chemical messengers made by endocrine glands through the bloodstream that affect our mood, sex drive, hunger, aggression

Anterior pituitary gland

secretes growth hormone

posterior pituitary gland

secretes vasporessin (blood pressure and blood)

Pineal gland

secretes melatonin

Thyroid gland

releases thyroxine

Pituitary Gland

pea sized structure in center of brain, controlled by hypothalamus, contains hormones that stimulate physical development

Old/Reptilian Brain

our survival functions and instincts

Mammalian Brain

Decision making and complex thinking

Brainstem

Controls flow of message from brain and rest of body, regulates breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, fatigue/alertness

Midbrain

highest point of brainstem, influences visual and auditory information and motor control

Pons

links medulla and thalamus, regulates sleep

Medulla Oblongata

controls cardiovascular/respiratory

Reticular Formations

nerve network from brainstem to thalamus, filters stimuli and relays important info to brain, helps enable states of consciousness

Reticular Activating System

regulates sleep, enables processing of sensory stimuli

Cerebellum

little brain, process coordination, movement, non-verbal learning, conceiving time, modulates emotion

Thalamus

top of brainstem, travel hub that filters sensory info coming to brain

Amygdala

controls fear/aggression

Hippocampus

processes memories and spatial perception

Hypothalamus

maintenance activities, eating, body temp, fight or flight

Lateral Hypothalamus

controls hunger

VentroMedial Hypothalamus

controls fullness

Cerebral Cortex

outside of cerebrum, grey matter, body’s control/information processing center

Cerebrum

2 hemispheres, 85% of brain, perception, speaking, sophisticated thinking, complex actions

Grey matter

in the cerebral cortex

white matter

inner layers of cerebrum

Glial cells

cells that support and protect neurons

Oligodendroglia

CNS, produce myelin

Schwann Cells

PNS, produces myelin, regenerate axons

Astrocytes

CNS, give neurons nutrients

Frontal lobe

thinking, speech, muscles, problem solving

Temporal Lobe

hearing

Occipital lobe

vision

Parietal lobe

sensory receptors/processing, logic

Somatosensory cortex

sensory/afferent, in front parietal lobe, processes touch

Motor cortex

motor/efferent, rear frontal lobe, controls movement

Association areas

remaining cerebral cortical areas used for high level thinking processes (perception/interpretation), no specific location

Broca’s Area

frontal lobe, forming speech

Wernicke’s Area

temporal lobe, comprehension/expression

Dual Processing

Brain interprets numerous senses outside of conscious awareness, lets in “relevant” info

EEG

electrical waves

CAT

X/rays, cross sections

PET

radioactive tracer/glucose

MRI

Magnetic resonance/blood flowy

Ablation

destroying brain tissue

Lesioning

intentionally damaging tissue that causes problems to improve functionality

Prefrontal Lobotomy

disconnecting prefrontal cortex from brain

Hemispherectomy

removing one hemisphere to treat seizures

Deep brain stimulation

inserts electrodes into brainstem to dim irregular motor signals (Parkinson’s, epilepsy, tremors, Tourettes)

Nueroplasticity

brain’s ability to modify itself (reorganization or builds new neural pathways)

Constraint-induced therapy

rewires brain and improves dexterity (working on poor function)

Neurogenesis

producing new brains (happens in womb)