chapt. 3 Biological Psychology

Question 1

evolutionary psychology

Answer 1

its own theory, meant to supply traditional perspectives into psych

Question 2

evolution

Answer 2

-change in frequency of alleles within a population from one generation to the next
-species evolving over time

Question 3

what is evolution driven by?

Answer 3

mutation: random genetic variation

migration: individuals moving in/out of pop.

genetic drifts: random change in genes

natural selection: some have beneficial traits that increase survival

sexual selection: promotes reproducibility rather than survival

Question 4

alleles

Answer 4

alternate vesions of a specific gene

Question 5

behavioural genetics

Answer 5

how genes + environment influence behaviour

Question 6

cultural selection

Answer 6

preferred survival of certain types over repeated traditions

Question 7

neurons

Answer 7

sends/receives messages in humans

Question 8

neurogenesis

Answer 8

formation of new neurons

Question 9

glial cells

Answer 9

supports neurons, removes waste

Question 10

pre-synaptic neuron

Answer 10

releases NT’s into synapse

Question 11

post-synaptic neuron

Answer 11

receptors that NT’s bind to

Question 12

synaptic cleft

Answer 12

space between axon terminal and dendrite

Question 13

re-uptake

Answer 13

when NT’s in synapse are reabsorbed into axon terminal of pre-synaptic neuron

Question 14

types of neurotransmitters

Answer 14

glutamate: excited nervous system, affects memory
GABA: blocks brain activity, lowers anxiety
dopamine: controls movement, reward-seeking
serotonin: regulates mood

Question 15

agonists

Answer 15

drugs enhance effects of NT’s/drugs

Question 16

antagonists

Answer 16

block NT by blocking receptors

Question 17

hormones

Answer 17

chemicals secreted by endocrine systemy

Question 18

hypothalamus

Answer 18

brain structure: regulates basic needs

Question 19

testosterone

Answer 19

hormone: drives sexual development

Question 20

endorphins

Answer 20

hormones produced by pit. gland, reduces pain, induces pleasure

Question 21

lesioning

Answer 21

technique to damage brain area to study

Question 22

corpus callosum

Answer 22

left and right hemispheres of brain connected by thick band of axons

Question 23

cerebral cortex

Answer 23

frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal lobes

attention, awareness, memory, cognition

Question 24

hemisphere specialization

Answer 24

2 sides of cortex perform diff functions

Question 25

sensory, motor, interneurons

Answer 25

sensory: responds to light/touch.smell
motor: recieves signal from brain/spinal chord
interneurons: connects these neurons together

Question 26

how are neurotransmitters released?

Answer 26

-action potential reached when a neuron sends information down the axon once threshold has been reached
-na+ leave, K+ in,
-this sends the signal down the axon to the dendrites

Question 27

TMS

Answer 27

temporary injury of brain

Question 28

PET/fMRI

Answer 28

more precise association between location and function: how blood flows

Question 29

EEG/ERP

Answer 29

precise association between function nad movement

Question 30

longitudinal studies

Answer 30

studies over a long time

Question 31

acetylcholine

Answer 31

most widespread neurotransmitter, brain functions, muscle contractions

Question 32

amygdala

Answer 32

emotional reponse

Question 33

hippocampus

Answer 33

formation of memories + learning