Unit 1.1-1.3 Quiz

Heredity

• the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Nature

• the extent to which behaviors, traits, and psychological characteristics inherited through genetic and biological factors

Nurture

• the extent to which environmental influences,upbringing, culture, and life experiences shape behavior and development

genetic predisposition

• an increased likelihood or susceptibility of developing a particular trait, behavior, or medical condition based on genetic code

evolutionary perspective

• an approach to psychology that explains human behavior and mental processes

• adaptation, survival, and natural selection

natural selection

• the evolutionary process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on to generations

eugenics

• advocating for the selective breeding of the human population to increase the occurrence of desirable inherited characteristics

Twin Studies

• research methods that compare identical and fraternal twins to estimate the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences on specific traits

Family Studies

• examining family trees to determine how frequently a specific psychological trait or disorder occurs among blood relatives

Adoption Studies

• comparing adopted children to both their biological parents (genetics) and adoptive parents (environment) to isolate nature versus nurture effects

Central Nervous System

• primary processing center of the body

• brain and spinal cord

• evaluates incoming information and directing responses

Peripheral Nervous System

• the network of nerves extending outside the central nervous system

• connects the CNS to the rest of the body’s limbs, organs, and sensory receptors

Autonomic Nervous System

• division of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions

• heart rate, digestion, and breathing

Sympathetic Nervous System

• the branch of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes bodily energy during stress or emergencies

• fight or flight

Parasympathetic Nervous System

• branch of autonomic nervous system

• conserves energy and restores the body to a calm resting state

Somatic Nervous System

• division of the peripheral nervous system

• controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles

• transmits sensory information to the CNS

Neurons

• specialized nerve cells that serve as the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system

• transmitting electrical and chemical messages throughout the body

Glial Cells

• non-neuronal cells in the nervous system

• support, protect, nourish, and insulate cells

• maintaining homeostasis

Reflex Arc

• a direct neural pathway

• meditates an automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus before signal processing reaches the conscious brain

Sensory Neurons (afferent neurons)

• neurons that carry incoming sensory information from body tissues and sensory receptors to the central nervous system

Motor Neurons (efferent neurons)

• neurons that convey outgoing commands from the central nervous system to muscles and glands

• initiate movement or activity

Interneurons

• neurons located exclusively within the central nervous system that process information and communicate internally

• between sensory and motor neurons

Neural Transmissions

• the process by which signals travel through a neuron electrically and jump across the synaptic gap chemically

• through neurotransmitters

Action Potential

• brief electrical charge or impulse that travels down an axon when a neuron is triggered beyond its threshold of excitation

All or Nothing Principle

• the rule stating that a neuron fires completely with the same intensity every time its threshold is reached

• or does not fire at all

Depolarization

• a change in a cells membrane potential where positively charged sodium ions rush into the neuron

• makes the interior less negative relative to the outside

Refractory Period

• a brief resting phase after an action potential during which a neuron cannot fire another electrical impulse until it resets its electrical balance

Resting Potential

• stable, negative charge inside a neuron relative to the outside environment when the cell is at rest and not actively firing

Reuptake

• the re absorption of excess neurotransmitters from the synaptic gap back into the pre-synaptic neurons axon terminals for reuse

agonist

increase/mimic a neurotransmitters effect

antagonist

block receptor sites so neurotransmitters cannot have an effect

acetylcholine (ACh)

• enables muscle action, learning, and memory

dopamine

• influences voluntary movement

• reward center in brain

serotonin

• affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Norepinephrine

• helps control alertness and arousal

GABA

• calming you down

Glutamate

• speeds up action potentials

endorphins

• influences perception of pain and pleasure

substance p

• alerts us to when experiencing pain