Unit 1.1 and 1.3-2 to 1.3-3

nature

the traits and characteristics that are genetically determined and inherited

psychology

The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context

evolutionary psychology

evolution of the mind and behavior using principles of natural selection

natural selection

Nature selects those traits that best enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a specific environment

behavior genetics

power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

mutations

random error in gene replication that leads to a change

environment

every non-genetic influence around us

heredity

genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

genes

biochemical units of heredity

genome

complete instructions for making an organism (typically common throughout humans)

nurture

external / environmental factors that work on what nature provides

eugenics

“selective breeding” for improvement of the human species (discredited by psychologists)

Identical (monozygotic) twins

twins that develop from a single fertilized egg that splits (genetically identical)

Fraternal (dizygotic) twins

twins that develop from two separate fertilized eggs (essentially genetically ordinary siblings)

interaction

interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor

synapse

gap between axon terminal sending neurotransmitter and dendrite of receiving neuron

neurotransmitters

chemical substance that can pass signals between neurons

reuptake

a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that plays a role in learning and memory and enables muscle action

motor neurons

carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the body’s tissues

epigenetics

study of how environmental factors can change gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence

endorphins

“morphine within”; natural opioid-like neurotransmitters linked to pain control and pleasure

agonist

a molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action

antagonist

a molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action

action potential

when a neuron is actually firing

All-or-Nothing principle

when a neuron receives a message it will either fire or not; if it fires it will fire all the way every single time

refractory period

brief recharge where a neuron can’t fire until fully charged

threshold

minimum stimulation recquired for nueron to fire and send action potential

inhibitory

neurotransmitter making the next neuron is less likely to fire

excitatory

neurotransmitter making the next neuron is more likely to fire

depolarization

loss of the inside/outside charge difference (causes next section of axon channels to open)

multiple sclerosis

loss of myelin sheath slowing down neural impulses and causing great pain

Myasthenia Gravis

autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, the point where nerves meet muscles

Dopamine

pleasure and reward centers

movement and intention

Serotonin

mood, appetite, sleep, dreaming

Norepinephrine

epinephrine adrenaline

fight/ fight response

arousal, alertness, vigilance

GABA

most abundant inhibitory transmitter

associated with anxiety-related disorders

brakes of the nervous system

Glutamate

excitatory

most abundant

increases learning and memory by strengthening synaptic connections

Endorphins

body’s natural painkiller

endogenous pain reliever