BIOL3304 Ch08

Behavioral Genetics

The study of how genetics and environment influence behavior.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit signals throughout the brain and body.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses from one neuron to another.

Circadian Rhythms

Physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.

Bipolar Disorder

A mental health condition marked by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression).

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, leading to a withdrawal from reality.

Narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.

Familial Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome

A disorder leading to unusually early sleep-wake cycles, linked to mutations in the period 2 gene.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

A measure of a person's intellectual abilities in relation to others.

Synaptic Pruning

The process through which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.

Drug Addiction

A condition in which a person compulsively seeks and consumes drugs despite adverse consequences.

Tolerance

A phenomenon where increasing amounts of a drug are required to achieve the same effect.

Dependence

A state resulting from chronic use of a drug, characterized by withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug.

Genetic Variants

Different forms or mutations of a gene that may lead to variability in traits or predisposition to certain diseases.

Mood Disorders

Psychological disorders characterized by the elevation or lowering of a person's mood, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Neurexins and Neuroligins

Proteins involved in synaptic transmission, critical for communication between neurons.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior, appearing in early childhood.

Heritability

The proportion of variation in a trait that can be attributed to genetic factors.

Cytokines

Small proteins that are important in cell signaling, particularly in immune responses.

Exome Sequencing

A technique for sequencing all the protein-coding regions of a genome.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Medications commonly used to treat depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

Microglial Cells

Immune cells of the central nervous system that help to prune synapses.

Risk Factors for Autism

Environmental and genetic factors that increase the likelihood of developing autism.

Down Syndrome

A genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21, characterized by developmental delays and intellectual disability.

Fragile X Syndrome

A genetic condition causing intellectual disability, particularly in males, due to a mutation on the X chromosome.

Excessive Cannabis Use

Frequent and high-quantity use of cannabis, associated with various mental health issues, including schizophrenia.

Signal Transduction

The process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events.

Reuptake Transporters

Proteins that facilitate the removal of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft, regulating synaptic transmission.

Environmental Influences

External factors that can impact biological processes, including lifestyle, exposure to toxins, and prenatal factors.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A group of disorders characterized by developmental deficits that produce impairments in personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Sleep-Wake Cycle

The daily pattern of biological and behavioral processes that regulate sleep and wakefulness.

Prenatal Exposure

Exposure to certain substances or conditions in the womb that may affect fetal development.

Psychosis

A mental disorder characterized by a disconnection from reality, often seen in schizophrenia.

Excess Synaptic Pruning

An abnormal reduction in synaptic connections during brain development, linked to conditions like schizophrenia.

Animal Models

Non-human species used in experiments to study biological processes relevant to humans.

Behavioral Disorders

Disorders characterized by behavioral symptoms, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and impulse-control disorders.

Long-Lasting Changes in the Brain

Neurological changes that persist over time, often as a result of addiction or significant life experiences.

C4 Genes

Genes associated with the immune system that are implicated in brain development and certain psychiatric conditions.

Gene-Environment Interaction

The complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental influences in determining traits or disorders.

Psychiatric Classification

A system used to categorize mental disorders based on symptoms and characteristics.

Hereditary Component

The genetic contribution to a particular trait or disorder.

Intellectual Disability

Significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning accompanied by deficits in adaptive behavior.

Environmental Causes of Mental Disorders

Factors such as trauma, abuse, and exposure to toxins that contribute to the development of mental health issues.

Neurological Disorders

Disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, which influence behavior and cognition.