The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Refers to biological and genetic influences on behavior.
Focuses on how evolution influences behavior, emphasizing adaptation and survival.
The process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in successive generations.
The study of the influence of genetic factors on behavior.
Random changes in genes that can lead to new traits.
The external factors that influence behavior, including culture and life experiences.
The genetic transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring.
Units of heredity that contribute to an individual's traits.
The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
The influence of environmental factors on behavior and development.
The controversial belief in improving the genetic quality of a human population.
Twins that originate from a single fertilized egg and share the same genetic material.
Twins that develop from two separate fertilized eggs, sharing about 50% of their genetic material.
The interplay between genetic and environmental factors in shaping behavior.
The study of how environmental factors affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.
The body’s electrochemical communication system, consisting of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Composed of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information.
Bundles of axons that transmit signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.
An automatic response to a stimulus that involves the spinal cord.
Controls involuntary bodily functions; subdivided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
Prepares the body for 'fight or flight' response in stressful situations.
Connects the central nervous system to the limbs and organs; includes sensory and motor pathways.
Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements.
Promotes 'rest and digest' functions, calming the body after stress.
The basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit information.
The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus and organelles.
Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons.
The long, slender part of a neuron that transmits signals away from the cell body.
A fatty substance that insulates axons, increasing signal transmission speed.
The junction between two neurons where communication occurs.
Support cells in the nervous system that protect and provide nutrients to neurons.
The pathway that controls a reflex action, typically involving sensory and motor neurons.
Nerve cells that carry information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.
Nerve cells that transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles or glands.
Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system.
The electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron.
The principle that a neuron either fires at full strength or not at all.
The process during the action potential when the inside of the neuron becomes more positive.
The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron after transmitting a signal.
A disease that affects the myelin sheath of neurons, leading to impaired signal transmission.
Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.
Chemicals that increase the likelihood of a neuron firing (e.g., glutamate).
A neurotransmitter involved in movement, emotion, and the reward system.
Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine system that regulate various bodily functions.
A hormone that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.
A hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.
The period following an action potential during which a neuron cannot fire again.
The state of a neuron when it is not firing, characterized by a negative charge inside the cell.
The level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential in a neuron.
An autoimmune disorder that affects communication between nerves and muscles.
Chemicals that decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing (e.g., GABA).
A neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite.
The main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers.
A neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement and memory.
The body’s system of glands that secrete hormones.
A hormone that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses.
A hormone that stimulates appetite and increases food intake.
A hormone involved in social bonding and reproductive functions.
A neurotransmitter involved in arousal and alertness.
An inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps regulate anxiety.
A neurotransmitter involved in the perception of pain.
A substance that enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter.
A substance that blocks the action of a neurotransmitter.
Substances that affect mood, perception, and behavior.
A condition characterized by an individual's inability to control their use of substances.
Drugs that increase neural activity and arousal (e.g., caffeine, cocaine).
A stimulant found in coffee and tea that increases alertness.
A powerful stimulant that increases dopamine levels, leading to intense euphoria.
Highly addictive stimulants that increase energy and alertness.
A synthetic drug that has stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.
A phenomenon where increasing amounts of a drug are needed to achieve the same effect.
Symptoms that occur when a person stops using a substance they are dependent on.
A class of drugs that includes pain relievers and can be highly addictive.
An opioid that produces intense euphoria and is highly addictive.
A compulsive need for a substance, characterized by withdrawal symptoms and tolerance.
A drug that blocks the reabsorption of neurotransmitters, increasing their availability.
Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions (e.g., alcohol, barbiturates).
Depressant drugs that can be addictive and are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
A depressant that impairs judgment and coordination and has a high potential for addiction.
Substances that alter perception and can induce hallucinations (e.g., LSD, marijuana).
A phenomenon reported by people who have had close encounters with death, often involving visions and feelings of peace.
A psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant that has both stimulant and depressant effects.
A powerful hallucinogenic drug that alters perception and mood.
The study of the biological bases of behavior and mental processes.
An integrated approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding behavior.
Different perspectives used to understand behavior, including biological, psychological, and social levels.
The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
A method to record electrical activity in the brain.
A technique for mapping brain activity by recording magnetic fields produced by electrical activity.
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain.
A method that uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the brain.
A scan that detects radioactive glucose in the brain to visualize metabolic activity.
A technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.
Areas of damaged brain tissue, often used to study brain function.
The part of the brain responsible for basic life functions, including breathing and heart rate.
The region at the base of the brain that includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.
A portion of the brain involved in motor movement, particularly movements of the eye and in auditory and visual processing.
The largest part of the brain, including structures such as the thalamus and hypothalamus.
Part of the brainstem that controls vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing.
A network of neurons involved in regulating arousal and sleep-wake transitions.
A brain structure that regulates coordination and balance.
The outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions such as thought, perception, and decision-making.
A group of structures in the brain involved in emotion, memory, and motivation.
A condition resulting from severing the corpus callosum, leading to two hemispheres that can operate independently.
A region in the frontal lobe associated with speech production.
A region in the temporal lobe associated with language comprehension.
The concept that different areas of the cerebral cortex are specialized for different functions.
The principle that the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa.
A language disorder resulting from brain damage, affecting speech production or comprehension.
The area of the cerebral cortex responsible for visual processing.
The area of the cerebral cortex associated with auditory processing and language.
The area of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing sensory information from the body.
Regions of the cerebral cortex that integrate information from different senses and are involved in higher cognitive functions.
The area of the parietal lobe responsible for processing touch and pain sensations.
The area of the brain associated with higher-level functions such as reasoning, planning, and movement.
The front part of the frontal lobe involved in complex cognitive behavior and decision-making.
The area of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements.
The brain’s sensory switchboard that relays information to the appropriate areas of the cortex.
A small brain region that regulates homeostasis and controls the endocrine system.
The "master gland" of the endocrine system, regulating growth and other hormones.
A structure involved in memory formation and spatial navigation.
A region of the brain involved in emotion processing, particularly fear and aggression.
The bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres, allowing communication between them.
The awareness of ourselves and our environment.
The study of the relationship between brain function and cognitive processes.
The principle that information is processed simultaneously on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.
The ability of the brain to process multiple aspects of information simultaneously.
The processing of information one aspect at a time, typical of tasks that require focused attention.
A state of reduced consciousness, characterized by a decrease in sensory activity and muscle tone.
The biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle over a 24-hour period.
A temporary condition resulting from travel across multiple time zones, disrupting the circadian rhythm.
Brainwave patterns recorded using an electroencephalogram, used to study sleep and consciousness.
A condition in which individuals act out their dreams during REM sleep.
A sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep.
Also known as sleepwalking, a behavior disorder characterized by walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep.
Brain waves associated with relaxed, awake states, typically observed when a person is resting.
Non-rapid eye movement sleep, characterized by a lack of eye movement and lower brain activity.
Perceptions that occur without an external stimulus, often experienced in altered states of consciousness.
Vivid sensory experiences that occur during the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
Slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.
Rapid eye movement sleep, a stage of sleep characterized by vivid dreams and increased brain activity.
The phenomenon where individuals experience increased REM sleep following periods of deprivation.
A cluster of neurons in the hypothalamus that regulates circadian rhythms.
A sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts occurring during sleep, often involving vivid imagery.
A theory proposing that dreams result from the brain's attempt to make sense of random neural activity during sleep.
The theory that sleep helps consolidate and strengthen memories formed during the day.
A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep.
A sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.