Chapter 1 Biological Psychology

Biological Psychology

The study of physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms of behavior and experience.

Physiological Explanation

Relates a behavior to the activity of the brain and other organs.

Ontogenetic Explanation

Describes the development of a structure or behavior and traces the influences of genes, nutrition, and experiences.

Evolutionary Explanation

Reconstructs the evolutionary history of a structure or behavior.

Functional Explanation

Describes why a structure or behavior evolved as it did.

Behavior Genetics

The study of the influence of genetic composition on behavior and the interaction of heredity and environment.

Heredity

The process by which organisms inherit characteristics from their parents.

Punnett Square

A tool used to predict how genes will interact in the production of offspring.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit a message from a nerve cell across the synapse to a target cell.

Adrenaline

A neurotransmitter produced in stressful situations that affects attention and responsiveness.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that contributes to well-being and happiness, regulating sleep and digestive systems.

GABA

A calming neurotransmitter that calms firing nerves in the central nervous system.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that activates muscle action in the body and is involved in learning and memory.

Cortisol

A hormone that prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' response.

Testosterone

A hormone affecting red blood cell production, sex drive, and bone mass.

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

A hormone that promotes the growth and development of ovarian follicles.

Melatonin

A hormone that regulates sleep and relaxation.

Oestrogen

A steroid hormone that affects the urinary tract, cardiovascular system, and reproduction.

Progesterone

A hormone that prepares the body for pregnancy.

What are nerve cells also known as?

Nerve cells are also known as neurons.

What is the primary function of neurons?

The primary function of neurons is to transmit nerve impulses.

What is the structure that receives signals from other neurons?

The structure that receives signals from other neurons is called the dendrite.

What is the long part of a neuron that transmits impulses away from the cell body called?

The long part of a neuron is called the axon.

What is the myelin sheath?

The myelin sheath is a layer of fatty tissue that insulates the axon and speeds up nerve impulse transmission.

What is a synapse?

A synapse is the junction where one neuron communicates with another neuron.

What happens during depolarization of a neuron?

During depolarization, the neuron's membrane potential becomes less negative, leading to an action potential.

What are action potentials?

Action potentials are rapid changes in the membrane potential that propagate along the axon.

What is the role of neurotransmitters in nerve impulse transmission?

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals across the synapse from one neuron to another.

What is the threshold potential in neurons?

The threshold potential is the level of depolarization required to trigger an action potential.