biological approach Flashcards
What are genes?
The passing of characteristics from one generation to another
What is neurochemistry
The study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system that regulate psychological functioning
what is heredity?
A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of dna. This dna codes the physical (eg. hair colour) and psychological (eg. intelligence) features of an organism
What are neuro transmitters
Chemicals that travel across the synapse (the gap between neurons)
what are biological structures
An arrangement or organisation of parts to from an organ , system or living thing
What is the genotype
genotype refers to an individual’s genetic make-up i.e. the genes that they have. This means that genetically identical people have the same predisposition to develop a characteristic (e.g. be overweight) from their genes, unless another factor(s) intervenes. However, it does not reveal whether someone will develop a characteristic.
What is the phenotype
A phenotype refers to the observable traits or characteristics (e.g. the weight someone achieves) shown by the individual. These characteristics are due to the combined effects of the genes and environment
What is predisposition
inherently more likely to do something
What is evolution
evolution is when when the genetic make up of a particular changes over successive generations.
Individuals within a species vary in terms of their physical characteristics and behaviour. As least some of the variation is inherited; this is therefore biological.
What is natural selection
random physical and behavioural changes to a species either enable it to adapt to its environment and survive or they disadvantage it in some way and it dies out.
