Studied by 2 PeopleTags & Description
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Behavioral genetics
focuses on discovering how genes and experience interact and lead to specific behaviors and mental abilities
Molecular Genetics
the study of chromosomes and gene expression of an organism can give insight into heredity, genetic variation, and mutations
DNA
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
Genes
segments of DNA that contain instructions to make proteins - building blocks of life
Heritability
a measure of how well differences in people's genes account for differences in their traits
Dominant alleles
show their effect even if the individual only has one copy of the allele
Recessive alleles
only show their effect if the individual has two copies of the allele
Genome
the entirely of that individuals hereditary information
Genotype
the collection of genes responsible for the various genetic traits of a given organism
Phenotype
the visible or observable expression of the results of genes, combined with the environmental influence on an organism 's appearance or behavior
Reciprocal determinism
by interacting with the world around us, we have a role in changing the environment in which we live
Epigenetics
the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
Identical Twins
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms(typically having similar personality and intelligence levels)
Fraternal twins
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no close than brother and sister, but they share a fetal environment
Charles Darwin
creator of natural selection - some psychological traits might be advantageous for survival and those traits would be passed down from parent to the next generation
evolutionary psychology
the branch of psychology that studies the mental adaptations of humans to a changing environment
Natural selection
certain behaviors and genes best for survival. Ex. behaviors such as stranger anxiety, parental love, phobias, can ll be explained natural selection.
Endocrine System
the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, secual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, etc
Hormone
A chemical messenger produced in the body that controls and regulates that activity of certain cells or organs (released in the bloodstream)
Hypothalamus
brain region controlling the pituitary gland
Pituitary gland
the "master control gland"; controls other glands and makes the hormones that trigger growth
Pineal gland
produces melatonin which affects sleep
Adrenal Glands
produces hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions (Cortisol, Adrenaline, etc)
Parathyroid gland
help regulate the level of calcium in the blood
Thyroid Gland
affects metabolism
Pancreas
regulates the level of sugar in the blood
Testis
secretes male sex hormones - linked with aggressive behavior
Ovary
secretes female sex hormones
Melatonin
chemical associated with sleep
Nervous System
the body's electrochemical communications network
Central Nervous System
the brain & spinal cord, which distributes & process messages
Spinal Cord
nerves that form the connections between the brain and the peripheral nervous system and are encased in the spine
Peripheral Nervous System
A branch of the human nervous system that includes all components except the brain and spinal cord
somatic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements
Autonomic Nervous System
a part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates bodily processes such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion
Sympathetic nervous system
branch of the autonomic nervous system that excites body by preparing it for action (increased heartbeat, pupils dilate, lungs increase oxygen, relax bladder, ect) FIGHT OR FLIGHT
Parasympathetic Nervous System
branch of the autonomic nervous system that restores the body's energy sources once they have been depleted (pupils dilate, heart beat slows, constrict airways, stomach contract, etc,) REST AND DIGEST
Sensory or afferent neurons
neurons that take information from the senses to the brain
Motor or efferent neurons
neurons that take information from the brain to the rest of the body
Interneurons
in the brain or spinal cord, neurons that take messages and send them elsewhere in the brain or spinal cord
Spinal Reflex
an immediate response to external stimuli directed at the level of the spinal cord
Mirror neurons
neurons that play role in action understanding, imitation learning, and language processing. Enables use to recreate and embody intentions of others
Neurons
individual nerve cells that make up our entire nervous system
Dendrites
receives neural messages
Cell body (soma)
contains the nucleus and other parts of the cell needed to sustain its life
Axon
wirelike structure ending in the terminal buttons that extends from the cell body - passes the messages along
Myelin Sheath
a fatty covering around the axon of some neurons that speeds neural impulses (lack of it can cause Multiple Sclerosis)
Terminal buttons (axon terminals)
branched end of the axon that contains neurotransmitters
Synapse
space between the terminal buttons of the one neurons and the dendrites of the next neuron
Glial cells
provides nutrition and protection for the neurons
Schwann Cells
supporting cells of the peripheral nervous systems responsible for the formation of myelin
Node of Ranvier
tiny gaps within the myelin sheath covering a nerve cell; may help speed impulses
Action Potential
an impulse or brief electric charge that travels down the axon
Threshold
the level of stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse
All or none response
a neuron either sends an impulse or it does not
Resting Potential
When a neuron does not have an action potential
Polarized
the stage of a resting neuron; the outside of the membrane is positively charged while the inside of the membrane is negatively charged
Depolarization
describes an axon that is firing. Positive charged sodium ions back outside of the cell
Refractory Period
a resting pause, where neurons pump positively charged sodium ion back outside of the cell
Vesicles
small membrane sacs that specialize in moving products into, out of, and within a cell
Receptor Site
location on neurons receiving incoming messages; neurotransmitters fit into these sites
Presynaptic Neuron
a neuron that is about to receive a neurotransmitter from the neuron across the synaptic gap
Postsynaptic neuron
is the membrane that receives a signal (binds neurotransmitter)
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons that generate the next neural impulse
Endorphins
Natural, opiate-like neurotransmitters linked with pain control & pleasure
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Enables muscle action, learning, and memory (ex. alzheimer's disease, ACh-producing neurons deteriorate)
Dopamine
Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion (ex. oversupply linked to schizophrenia, undersupply linked to tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson's disease
Serotonin
affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal (ex. Undersupply is linked to depression, antidepressant drugs raise levels of serotonin)
Norepinephrine
Helps control alertness and arousal (undersupply can depress mood)
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
a major inhibitory neurotransmitter (undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia)
Glutamate
A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory (oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures. Why some people avoid MSG)
Reuptake
the reabsorption of neurotransmitters by the sending neuron
Excitatory neurotransmitter
send signals that stimulate the brain
Inhibitory neurotransmitter
send signals to calm the brain down and create balance
Agonists
chemicals that activate the receptors fro certain neurotransmitter and make the effects of neurotransmitters stronger (caffeine: agonist for ACH) (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS): agonist for serotonin) (adderall, meth, coke, and speed; agonist for norepinephrine) (benzodiazepines and alcohol: agonist of GABA) (opiates: agonists of endorphins)
Antagonists
chemicals that inhibit the actions of neurotransmitters (LSD: antagonist for serotonin)
Reuptake inhibitors
are drugs that prvent the axon terminals from engaging in the reuptake of neurotransmitters (cocaine: reuptake inhibitor for dopamine)
brainstem
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; this part is responsible for automatic survival functions
medulla
controls heartbeat, blood circulation, breathing, muscle maintance, regulation of reflexes like sneezing/coughing
Reticular Formation
plays an important role in controlling arousal
Pons
plays a role with sleep and dreaming
cerebellum
the "little brian" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory
Thalamus
the brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla