Studied by 42 PeopleWhat is biopsychology?
Tags & Description
What is biopsychology?
the connection between brain and behavior
Alternative Names for Behavioral Neuroscience
behavior biology, biopsychology
What does the nucleus contain?
DNA
What purpose do dendrites serve?
they collect neurotransmitters
How does an action potential work?
It moves through the axon, while the myelin sheath protects it
Myelin Sheath
Fatty layer that ensures the electrical signal moves efficiently
How many neurons do we have?
100 billion
How many neurons are connected to one another at a time?
10 thousand
synapse
Gap contact points that allow for signals to pass from one neuron to the next
How many synapses are in your brain?
100 trillion+
Is an organism with a bumpy or smooth brain smarter?
Bumpy
Why are bumpier brains smarter?
More surface area: 18 sq ft
Gyri
Bumps in the brain
Sulci
trenches in the brain
Disciplines of biopsychology
neuro...anatomy, chemistry, endocrinology, pharmacology, pathology, physiology
How old is the discipline of neuroscience?
About 73 years old
All behavior is the product of interactions among...
genes (based on evolution), experience, and perception of the situation
natural selection
environmental selection pressures dictate the fittest, not best
survival of the fittest
whatever fits environment the best is what promotes survival
What defined the evolution of behavior?
social dominance and courtship displays
social dominance
establishing hierarchy reduces aggression
courtship display
special method of finding a mate
Taxonomic Kingdom classification, in order
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
species
based on anatomical and physical similarities
The smaller the taxonomic ring...
the more specific it is
What idea is evolution based on?
that we share a common ancestor
How old is the common human ancestor?
4.6 billion years
Human took about _______ years to start being humans
a billion
How long ago did bacteria produce the atmosphere?
2.3 billion years ago
When did multi-cellular organisms show up?
about 6 billion years ago
When did chordates first appear?
450 mya
When did vertebrates first show up?
About 25 million years after chordates
What do chordates have?
a rudimentary brain and spine
What do vertebrates have?
A BACKBONE
When did amphibians first come about?
about 410 million years ago
Why are amphibians evolutionarily fit?
They could go on both land and water, meaning more resources and better safety
How long ago did reptiles come about?
about 300 million years ago
Where do reptiles lay eggs?
On land
Why are reptiles evolutionarily fit?
Can survive in both land and water
When did mammals first appear?
200 million years ago
What species began early human lineage?
Hominids
Who was Lucy?
Australopithecus, a 4 ft humanoid
When did homosapiens first appear?
about 200 thousand years ago
Evolution is NOT
linear
How does evolution progress?
traits for the environment are selected over time
What species did the modern human evolve from?
Homoerectus, Homoneaderthalis
When did homoerectus die?
About 150 thousand years ago
When did homoneanderthalus die?
30 thousand years ago
How old is oral language?
~40 thousand years old
