Life Science Final Review Flashcards

Happiness

A state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy, often influenced more by relative changes in circumstances than by absolute achievements.

Emotions

Complex psychological states that involve three distinct components: a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response.

Mismatch

The concept that human instincts and behaviors may not be suitable for the current environment we live in, having evolved for different circumstances.

EEA (Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness)

The specific environment in which a species evolved, which shapes their behavior and instincts.

Cultural Transmission

The non-genetic transfer of information, behaviors or beliefs from one generation to the next.

Action Potential

A rapid rise and subsequent fall in voltage or membrane potential across a cellular membrane, critical for neuron signaling.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by glands that travel through the bloodstream, affecting various physiological processes including growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Neurons

Specialized cells in the nervous system responsible for receiving and transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and motor control; often linked to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.

Adenosine

A compound that plays a role in promoting sleep and regulating energy levels, whose signaling can be blocked by caffeine.

Biological Macromolecules

Large molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, each with distinct functions in biological processes.

STR (Short Tandem Repeats)

Repeating sequences of DNA that are used in DNA fingerprinting to identify individuals based on genetic variation.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The rate of energy expenditure per unit time by endothermic animals at rest, used to determine energy requirements.

Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in higher-order functions including sensory perception, cognition, and decision-making.

Testosterone

A steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes; plays key roles in the development of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics.

Estrogen

A group of hormones that play an essential role in the regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.

Oxytocin

A hormone associated with social bonding, sexual reproduction, and during and after childbirth; involved in trust and relationship building.

Cortisol

A steroid hormone released in response to stress; influences metabolism and immune response.

Dietary Fiber

A type of carbohydrate that the body can't digest, important for maintaining digestive health and providing various health benefits.

Vitamins

Organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition, required in small quantities in the diet.

Minerals

Inorganic nutrients that the body needs to function; play critical roles in processes such as bone health and nerve signaling.

Culture vs. Instinct

The interaction between learned behaviors and innate instincts, where culture can modify or suppress biological instincts.