AP Psychology Biological Bases of Behavior

Heredity

The passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes.

Nature

The genetic or biological factors that influence behavior.

Environmental factors

External influences like culture, upbringing, and social interactions that affect behavior.

Nurture

The influence of external factors like environment and experiences on development and behavior.

Evolutionary Perspective

A theory that focuses on how natural selection has shaped behavior and mental processes.

Eugenics

A controversial practice aimed at improving the genetic quality of the human population.

Twin Studies

Research on identical and fraternal twins to explore the effects of genetics and environment.

Family Studies

Studies that investigate how traits or conditions are passed through generations.

Adoption Studies

Research comparing adopted children with their biological and adoptive families to study nature vs. nurture.

Central Nervous System

Comprises the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and sending out signals to the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing.

Brain

The central organ of the nervous system responsible for thought, memory, and regulating body activities.

Spinal Cord

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the brain to the rest of the body.

Peripheral Nervous System

The network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that transmits signals to the body.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements of muscles.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Activates the body’s fight-or-flight response in stressful situations.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Calms the body after stress and conserves energy.

Nerves

Bundles of neurons that transmit signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other body parts.

Neural Network

A system of interconnected neurons that work together to process information.

Action potential

A brief electrical charge that travels down a neuron, transmitting a signal.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that help protect and nourish neurons.

Spinal Cord

The long, thin, tubular structure that transmits signals between the brain and the body.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls reflex actions without input from the brain.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry signals from sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

Neurons that transmit signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons and process information within the CNS.

Synapse

The gap between two neurons where information is transmitted from one to the other.

All-or-Nothing Principle

A neuron either fires completely or not at all when transmitting an action potential.

Depolarization

A change in a neuron's membrane potential that makes it more likely to fire.

Refractory Period

A brief period after a neuron fires when it cannot fire again immediately.

Resting Potential

The electrical charge difference across the membrane of a resting neuron.

Reuptake

The process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the neuron after a signal is transmitted.

Threshold

The level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential in a neuron.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease that damages the protective covering of nerves, leading to communication problems in the nervous system.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disease that leads to muscle weakness and fatigue.

Agonist

A chemical that binds to a receptor and activates it, mimicking the effects of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A chemical that blocks or inhibits the effects of a neurotransmitter by binding to its receptor.

Reuptake Inhibitors

Drugs that block the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, increasing their levels in the brain.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit information throughout the body.

Dendrite

The branch-like part of a neuron that receives messages from other neurons.

Axon

The long part of a neuron that transmits electrical impulses to other cells.

Myelin

A fatty substance that covers axons and helps speed up the transmission of signals.

Axon Terminals/Terminal Buttons

The ends of axons that release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate body functions.

Adrenaline

A hormone that prepares the body for fight-or-flight responses.

Leptin

A hormone that regulates hunger and energy balance.

Ghrelin

A hormone that stimulates appetite and hunger.

Melatonin

A hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Oxytocin

A hormone involved in social bonding, trust, and emotional connection.

Brain Stem

The base of the brain that controls vital functions like heart rate and breathing.

Medulla

Part of the brainstem responsible for automatic functions like breathing and heart rate.

Reticular Activating System

A network of neurons in the brainstem that controls alertness and sleep-wake cycles.

Reward Center

A group of brain structures associated with pleasure and reinforcement.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that controls balance, coordination, and fine motor skills.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in higher-level functions like thought, perception, and decision-making.

Motor Cortex

The area of the cerebral cortex involved in planning and executing voluntary movements.

Limbic System

A group of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation.

Thalamus

The brain’s relay station, transmitting sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cortex.

Hypothalamus

A small brain structure involved in regulating hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system that processes emotions like fear and aggression.

Hippocampus

A brain structure crucial for forming new memories.

Lobes of Cortex

The four main regions of the cerebral cortex—frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal—that have specialized functions.

Occipital Lobe

The region of the brain that processes visual information.

Temporal Lobe

The part of the brain involved in processing auditory information and memory.

Parietal Lobe

The area of the brain that processes sensory information like touch and spatial awareness.

Somatosensory Cortex

A part of the parietal lobe that processes sensory input from the body, like touch and temperature.

Frontal Lobe

The part of the brain responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and planning.

Prefrontal Cortex

An area of the frontal lobe involved in complex behaviors like decision-making and impulse control.

Motor Cortex

A part of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary muscle movements.

Split Brain Research

Studies of individuals with a severed corpus callosum to understand how the brain's hemispheres function independently.

Epilepsy

A neurological disorder marked by sudden, recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain activity.

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe responsible for speech production.