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Psychology > Ch3.1, 3.2- Biological Psychology > Flashcards

Ch3.1, 3.2- Biological Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

What are genes? What do they do?

A

Genes are the basic units of heredity; they are responsible for guiding the process of creating the proteins that make up our physical structures and regulate development and physiological processes across the lifespan.

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2
Q

Define “heredity” vs. “heredibility”.

A

Heredity is the genetic transmission of genes from parents to offspring.

Heredibility is a statistical measurement from 0 to 1 that represents the degree to which genetic differences between individuals contribute to individual differences in a behaviour or trait found in a population.

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3
Q

Define: Epigenetics.

(Hint: Process in genes)

A

Epigenetics: the changes in gene expression that are due to experience (external factors) and do not alter the genetic code.

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4
Q

Define Behavioural genomics vs. Behavioural genetics.

A

Behavioural genomics: The study of DNA and how genes relate to behaviour.

Behavioural genetics: The study of how genes and the environment affect behaviour.

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5
Q

Differentiate between monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins.

A

Monozygotic twins (Mono=1) come from ONE ovum (egg) and are genetically identical, with almost 100% genetic similarity. Usually of the same gender.

Dizygotic twins (Di=2) come from two eggs and two sperms, making them of 50% genetic similarity.

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6
Q

Define: genotype vs. phenotype

(Hint: GEne/ PHysical)

A

Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism- a unique set of genes that make up the genetic code.

Phenotype is the result of genotype; consisting of physical traits and behavioural characteristics that show genetic variation; eye/ hair colour, shape of facial features, personality.

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7
Q

Define: Homozygous vs. Heterozygous

A

Homozygous means that 2 corresponding genes on a pair of chromosomes are the same.

Heterozygous means that the 2 are different.

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8
Q

In homozygous and heterozygous individuals, some can taste PTC and some cannot.

Their genetic makeup is as follows:
Tt
TT
tt

Which one of the three is a non-taster? Which one is heterozygous?
Which gene is recessive, and which is dominant? (t/T)

A

The non-taster is tt.
The heterozygous individual is Tt.

The t gene is recessive. The T gene is dominant.

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9
Q

Distinguish between evolution and natural selection.

A

Evolution is the change in frequency of genes occuring in an interbreeding population over generations.

Natural selection refers to the process where favourable traits becoming increasingly common in a population of interbreeding individuals, while traits that become less common when they are unfavorable.

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10
Q

Distinguish between intrasexual selection and intersexual selection.

A

Intrasexual selection: A situation in which members of the same sex compete for the opportunity to mate with members of the opposite sex.

Intersexual selection: A situation in which the members of one sex select a partner based on their desirable traits.

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11
Q

What is neotony? Is it present in humans, animals, or both?

A

Neotony is the process of additional brain development in humans post-birth, where sections of the infant skull are not fully fused.

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12
Q

Two reasons why human brains are more powerful than animal brains are the differences in the cerebral cortex and frontal lobes.
Which contains the prefrontal cortex?
Which is the folded, grooved outer tissue of the brain?
Which is critical for the ability to plan, problem solve, make decisions and choices?

A

Frontal lobe contains the prefrontal cortex, and is critical for problem solving, choosing, and planning.

Cerebral cortex is the grooved, folded outer tissue of the brain.

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13
Q

Define: Neurons. In which biological system are they found? What is their function?

A

Neurons are one of the major cells found in the nervous system. They are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body.

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14
Q

Which part of the neuron contains the nucleus that houses genetic material?

a) Myelin sheath
b) Dendrites
c) Soma (cell body)
d) Axon terminals (terminal buttons)
e) Neurotransmitters
f) Axon

A

c) The Soma, or cell body, houses the nucleus that contains genetic material.

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15
Q

Which part of the neuron receives input from other cells?

a) Myelin sheath
b) Dendrites
c) Soma (cell body)
d) Axon terminals (terminal buttons)
e) Neurotransmitters
f) Axon

A

b) Dendrites are influenced by gene activity from the cell body (from synthesized proteins that form the chemicals and structures, allowing neuron function).

Dendrites RECEIVE these messages and TRANSMIT them to the rest of the cell.

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16
Q

Which part of the neuron is the tail-like structure that transports information (in the form of electrochemical impulses) from the cell body, to the end of the neuron?

a) Myelin sheath
b) Dendrites
c) Soma (cell body)
d) Axon terminals (terminal buttons)
e) Neurotransmitters
f) Axon

A

f) Axon; the tail like structure.

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17
Q

Which part of the neuron are bulb-like extensions filled with vesticles (little bags of molecules)? What do these vesticles contain?

a) Myelin sheath
b) Dendrites
c) Soma (cell body)
d) Axon terminals (terminal buttons)
e) Neurotransmitters
f) Axon

A

d) Axon terminals, or terminal buttons.

They contain neurotransmitters.

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18
Q

Which part of the neuron, within the vesticles, are chemicals that function as messengers?

a) Myelin sheath
b) Dendrites
c) Soma (cell body)
d) Axon terminals (terminal buttons)
e) Neurotransmitters
f) Axon

A

e) Neurotransmitters.

19
Q

What cells outnumber neurons 10 to 1 and support the functioning of neurons by removing waste, mounting immune responses, and syncing neuron activity?

a) Glue cells
b) Gilal cells
c) Glail cells
d) Glial cells

A

d) Glial cells

20
Q

What is the fatty coat that insulates axons from one another, increasing speed and efficiency of neural communication?

a) Myelin
b) Axon terminals
c) Dendrites
d) Glial

A

a) myelin

21
Q

What is the term for a stable state where a neuron is not transmitting messages?

a) stable potential
b) consistency
c) resting potential
d) cell hibernation

What is the interior charge within the axon?
0.0 Mv
\+70 Mv
-70 Mv
-0.7 Mv
A

c) resting potential.

- 70 Mv.

22
Q

During a state of resting potential, where do these ions lie?

Chloride ions
Potassium ions
Sodium ions

Hint: one is negative; two are positive.

A

Chloride ions (-) lie within the cell; Potassium and sodium (+) ions lie outside the cell.

23
Q

Define these two related terms- electrostatic gradient & concentration gradient. Context: neuron electrical system

A

Electrostatic gradient simply means that the inside and outside of the cell have different charges.

Concentration gradient means that different types of ions are more densely packed on one side of the membrane than the other.

24
Q

In what sequence do these events occur?

a) Action potential is initiated; this is a wave of electrical activity that origins at the the base of the (tail-like) axon and travels down the length.
b) the surge of positive ions into the cell changes the potential of the neuron from -70 to -68 Mv.
c) Action potential moves down axon to terminal buttons
d) Positively charged ions reach the axon hillock to push the charge past the firing threshold (-55 Mv)
e) small pores known as ion channels open up, allowing positively charged ions to rush into the cell.
f) Positive charges flow down the dendrites, crossing the soma (cell body) to the axon hillock

A

e > b > f > d > a > c

25
Q

What is the brief period where a neuron cannot fire?

a) resting potential
b) action potential
c) refractory period
d) refractory potential

A

c) Refractory period

26
Q

At the end of an action potential, neurotransmitters are released from axon terminals into these microscopically small spaces that separate individual nerve cells. What are these called?

a) myelin sheath
b) Glial cells
c) synapses
d) hormones

A

c) Synapses

27
Q

Which of these two refer to the minute space between the axon terminal and the dendrite, that receive neurotransmitter molecules that have bound to receptors?

Synapses
Synaptic cleft

A

Synaptic cleft

28
Q

What refers to the process of neurotransmitter molecules that are released into the synapse, being reabsorbed into the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron?

a) resting potential
b) axon reuptake
c) reuptake
d) refractory period

A

c) reuptake

29
Q

Which of these 6 neurotransmitters is a monoamine neurotransmitter linked to mood, control of voluntary movement, and rewarding experiences?

a) Glutamate
b) GABA
c) Acetylcholine
d) Dopamine
e) Norepinepherine
f) Serotonin

A

d) dopamine

30
Q

Which of these 6 neurotransmitters is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the nervous system, lowering arousal, anxiety, and raising sleepiness?

a) Glutamate
b) GABA
c) Acetylcholine
d) Dopamine
e) Norepinepherine
f) Serotonin

A

b) GABA

31
Q

Which of these 6 neurotransmitters is important for voluntary movement, found at the joints between nerve cells and skeletal muscles?

a) Glutamate
b) GABA
c) Acetylcholine
d) Dopamine
e) Norepinepherine
f) Serotonin

A

c) Acetylcholine

32
Q

Which of these 6 neurotransmitters is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter, that excites memory and autonomic nervous system reactions?

a) Glutamate
b) GABA
c) Acetylcholine
d) Dopamine
e) Norepinepherine
f) Serotonin

A

a) Glutamate

33
Q

Which of these 6 neurotransmitters is involved in regulating aggression, appetite, sleep and mood?

a) Glutamate
b) GABA
c) Acetylcholine
d) Dopamine
e) Norepinepherine
f) Serotonin

A

f) Serotonin

34
Q

Which of these 6 neurotransmitters is a monoamine synthesised from dopamine molecules that regulates stress responses, as well as regulating memory, attention, sleep and mood?

a) Glutamate
b) GABA
c) Acetylcholine
d) Dopamine
e) Norepinepherine
f) Serotonin

A

e) Norepinepherine

35
Q

Sensory neurons and motor neurons differ in that:

a) only sensory neurons have dendrites
b) only motor neurons have axons
c) sensory neurons carry messages away from the brain, while motor neurons carry messages toward the brain
d) sensory neurons carry messages toward the brain, while motor neurons carry messages away from the brain

A

d) sensory neurons carry messages toward the brain, while motor neurons carry messages away from the brain

36
Q

Which drug enhances or mimics the function of a neurotransmitter’s action?

Agonist
Antagonist

A

Agonists

37
Q

If a drug reduces the influence of a chemical without physically blocking the receptor, it is a

direct antagonist
indirect antagonist
indirect agonist
direct agonist

A

Indirect antagonist

38
Q

What are the chemicals secreted by the glands of the endocrine system, which have slower effects on the body than neurotransmitters? These chemicals contribute to HOMEOSTASIS: the balance of energy, temperature, metabolism that keeps the body in function.

A

Hormones.

39
Q

This part of the brain is the MASTER REGULATORY STRUCTURE. It connects the nervous system to the endocrine system, regulating basic biological needs and motivational systems.

a) Thalamus
b) Hypothalamus
c) Cerebellum
d) Brain stem

A

b) The hypothalamus is the brain’s MASTER REGULATORY STRUCTURE.

40
Q

The hypothalamus releases specialized chemicals- releasing factors- that stimulate this MASTER GLAND of the endocrine system, which in turn sends commands about hormone production to other glands of the endocrine system.

a) Pineal gland
b) Adrenal gland
c) Pituitary gland
d) Pancreas

A

c) The pituitary gland is the endocrine system’s MASTER GLAND.

41
Q

This pair of glands, located adjacent to the kidneys, releases stress hormones: cortisol and epinepherine.

a) Pineal gland
b) Adrenal gland
c) Pituitary gland
d) Pancreas

A

b) Adrenal glands produce stress hormones. (Epinepherine is also known as adrenaline.)

42
Q

This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, reducing pain and inducing pleasure.

a) Cortisol
b) Testosterone
c) Dopamine
d) Endorphins

A

d) Endorphins

43
Q

People often attribute male aggression to high levels of testosterone. What following statement is an important consideration regarding this claim?

a) high testosterone may be correlated with aggression, but not necessarily the cause of it.
b) testosterone is found exclusively in males and is therefore a likely cause for male aggression.
c) cultural factors are unrelated to testosterone levels
d) testosterone does not influence aggressive behaviours.

A

a) High testosterone may be correlated with aggression, but is not necessarily the cause of it.

Psychology (14 decks)

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