Chapter 2 Flashcards
Notion of a Paradigm
*Paradigm (Thomas Kuhn)
= a conceptual framework or approach within which a scientist works
*A set of basic assumptions
*A general perspective
*An approach to conceptualizing the study of a subject and how to interpret data
Genetic Paradigm
- Almost all behavior is heritable to some degree
- Genes do not operate in isolation from the environment: The environment shapes how our genes are expresses & Our genes also shape our environments
- Relationship between genes and environment is bidirectional: Nature via nurture (Ridley, 2003)
Nature via nurture
*researchers are learning how environmental influences, such as stress, relationships, and culture (the nurture part), shape which of our genes are turned on or off and how our genes (the nature part) influence our bodies and brain. We know that without genes, a behavior might not be possible. But without the environment, genes could not express themselves and thus contribute to the behavior.
Genes
: Carriers of genetic information (DNA)
Gene expression:
process by which the instructions in our DNA are converted into a functional product, such as a protein.
many functions of proteins, including influencing the expression of other genes
Humans have how many genes?
20-25K genes.
function of proteins
many functions of proteins, including influencing the expression of other genes
Polygenic
-no one gene that will make someone depressed (more than 2 or 3, really is more like thousands)
example!
Heritability
- Extent to which variability in behavior is due to genetic factors
- Heritability estimate ranges from 0.00 to 1.00
- Group, rather than individual, indicator
the higher the number the _____ the heritability
the higher the number the greater the heritability
Shared environment
-Events and experiences that family members have in common
*e.g., Income level, child-rearing practices, parent’s marital status and quality
(families have same shared environmental factors)
Nonshared environment
- Events and experiences that are distinct to each family member
e. g., relationships with friends, events unique to the person - May explain sibling differences
Behavior Genetics
= Study of the degree to which genes and environmental factors influence behavior
- Studies estimate heritability of a psychological disorder but don’t explain how genes work.
e. g., twin/adoption studies
Genotype
-is it observable
Genetic makeup inherited by an individual
Unobservable
(what is in the DNA)
Phenotype
- Expressed genetic material
- Observable behavioral characteristics
- Depends on interaction of genotype and environment
Molecular Genetics
- Identifies genes and their functions
* Identifies differences between people in the sequence of their genes and in the structure of their genes
Alleles
Different forms of the same gene
Polymorphism
= Difference in DNA sequence on a gene occurring in a population
(example is the colorful birds?)
Current Molecular Genetics Research focuses on : 2 things
*identifying differences between people in the sequence of their genes and in the structure of their genes.
SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms)
= Difference between people in a single nucleotide in the DNA SEQUENCE of a particular gene
(has the same number but different sequence)
-falls under current molecular genetics research
CNVs (Copy Number Variations)
= Abnormal copy of one or more sections of DNA within the gene(s)
- Differences in STRUCTURE of gene
- Additions or deletions in DNA within genes
- falls under current molecular genetics research
GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies)
- Key method to examine SNPs and CNVs
- Isolate differences in the sequence of genes between people who have a psychological disorder and people who do not
(looking at a lot of people: comparing the affected vs unaffected individuals)
Gene-environment interaction
A person’s sensitivity to an environmental event is influenced by genes and vice-versa
Genes do not exert their effects in isolation so we need to consider _____
Gene-Environment Interactions!
Epigenetics
- can this be passed on
= Study of how the environment can alter gene expression or function
*Animal studies have shown that Epigenetic effects can be passed down across multiple generations from parents to children (and even grandparents to grandchildren)
Process by Which Epigenetics Influence Gene Expression
epigenetic marks->genes (on/off) -> RNA -> proteins -> cells -> person -> environment (environment can impact epigenetic marks)
Two Challenges of Evaluating the Genetic Paradigm
- Understand how genes and environments reciprocally influence one another
- Recognize the complexity of the task
* Several genes contributing to a specific disorder
* Each individual gene or genetic mutation may reveal a very small effect
* Putting all the small genetic pieces together to tell the gene via environment story for psychological disorders remains a very big challenge
Neuroscience Paradigm
- Psychological disorders are linked to aberrant processes in the brain
- Brain and nervous system are complex, so many things COULD go wrong
- Three major components of NSCI paradigm to discuss:
- Neurons and neurotransmitters
- Brain structure and function
- Neuroendocrine system
Neuron
= type of cell in the nervous system
*Four major parts: Cell body (= soma), Dendrites, Axons, Terminal Buttons
(label this)
Synapse
= gap between neurons
*Nerve impulse travels down axon to synapse
(-pretty sure this is an important area for drugs)
Terminal button contains :
- contains synaptic vesicles which contain several neurotransmitter molecules
- note: I think this is how get the firing of an action potential
Neurotransmitter
= Chemicals that allow neurons to send a signal across the synapse to another neuron
Presynaptic site:
-releases neurotransmitter
Receptors on postsynaptic site receive neurotransmitter
Receptors on ______ site receive neurotransmitter
postsynaptic
Neurotransmitters (functionally) may be:
- Excitatory – enhances the likelihood that the postsynaptic cell will create a nerve impulse
- Inhibitory – reduces the likelihood that the postsynaptic cell will create a nerve impulse
Excitatory
– enhances the likelihood that the postsynaptic cell will create a nerve impulse
Inhibitory
– reduces the likelihood that the postsynaptic cell will create a nerve impulse
Reuptake refers to:
the reabsorption of leftover neurotransmitter by presynaptic neuron
Implicated in depression, mania, and schizophrenia
Serotonin and dopamine
Implicated in anxiety and other stress-related conditions
*Norepinephrine- Communicates with the sympathetic nervous system
(sympathetic nervous system is activated when aroused)
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Inhibits nerve impulses (-less likely to send a signal)
*Implicated in anxiety
Ways in which neurotransmitters may contribute to psychopathology:
- Excessive or inadequate levels
- Errors in the synthesis of neurotransmitters at the metabolic level
*Insufficient reuptake
Faulty neurotransmitters receptors
Cortex composed of:
- Frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal lobes (see Fig. 2.7)
- Six layers :( Just the top layer where the highest levels occur)
- Gyri (ridges) and Sulci (grooves aka the valleys)
*Note: Prefrontal cortex : (executive functioning like attention) planning, attention
Prefrontal cortex
- planning, attention
- which is used for executive functioning
Nervous system is composed of:
- White matter = fibers that connect cells between different areas of the brain and spinal cord( on the axons )
- Grey matter = cell bodies
- Ventricles = Cavities in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid
Grey matter
= cell bodies
Ventricles
= Cavities in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid
Anterior cingulate
- cognition
Hippocampus
- Memory
Hypothalamus
- Regulates metabolism, temperature, perspiration, blood pressure, sleeping, and appetite
((the five Fs))
Amygdala
- Attention to emotionally salient stimuli
Brain development
-what fraction of our genes are expressed in the brain
- Begins early in the first trimester of pregnancy and continues into early adulthood
- A third of our genes are expressed in the brain
Pruning
= Elimination of synaptic connections
The connections become fewer, but faster
*What percent of genes are expressed in the brain
*A third of our genes are expressed in the brain