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Psychology 121 > Chapter 2- Neuroscience And Biological Foundations > Flashcards

Chapter 2- Neuroscience And Biological Foundations Flashcards

1
Q

Behavioural genetics

A

The study of the relative effects of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour and mental processes

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2
Q

Dominant Genes

A

The trait is expressed if only one parent passes on the gene

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3
Q

Recessive genes

A

Trait is only expressed if it is inherited from both parents

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4
Q

Polygenetic traits

A

Traits that are controlled by multiple genes and often are affected by environmental and social factors

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5
Q

Methods for Studying Heritability

A

Twin Studies- if there is a genetic contribution to behaviour, monozygotic twins should me more alike than dizygotic
Family Studies- closely related family should show more similarity than other family members
Adoption studies- like birth parents or adoptive parents

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6
Q

3 Misconceptions about Genetics

A

Genetic traits are not fixed
Heritability estimates apply to populations not individuals
Genes and environment are inseparable

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7
Q

Evolutionary Psychology

A

Subfield of psych studying how natural selection and adaptation help explain behaviour and mental processes
Suggests that behavioural commonalities among human populations emerged because they helped our ancestors survive

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8
Q

Building blocks of the brain

A

Neuron

Glial cell

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9
Q

Neuron

A

Nerve cell that processes and transmits information
Basic building block of the nervous system responsible for receiving and transmitting electrochemical information
“Our wiring”

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10
Q

Glial Cell

A

Cell that provides structural, nutritional, and other support for the neurons, as well as communication within the nervous system
Aka glia or neuroglia

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11
Q

Parts of a Neuron

A 
Dendrites
Cell Body
Axon
Myelin Sheath
Terminal Buttons
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12
Q

Dendrites

A

Receive information from other cells

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13
Q

Cell Body

A

Received information from dendrites, and if enough stimulation is received the message is passed on to the axon

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14
Q

Axon

A

Carries neurons message to other body cells

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15
Q

Myelin sheath

A

Covers the axon of some neurons to insulate and help speed neural impulses

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16
Q

Terminal Buttons

A

Form junctions with other cells and release chemicals called neurotransmitters

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17
Q

Action Potential

A

1) When resting, the axon is polarized (- inside)
2) When AP is initiated, NA+ ions flow in and depolarization occurs
3) AP spreads as NA+ flow in further down the axon and K+ ions flow out behind, restoring the resting polarity

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18
Q

Communication between neurons

A

Sending Neuron sends neurotransmitters into the synapse, which are received by the next neuron and the message is sent on

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19
Q

Endocrine System and Hormones

A 
Sends information in a fast but non specific way 
Parts of the endocrine system
Pineal gland- regulates sleep
Pancreas- produces insulin
Thyroid gland- metabolism
Testes and ovaries- sex hormones
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20
Q

Agonist drugs

A

Mimic neurotransmitters and the message is sent on

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21
Q

Antagonistic drugs

A

Fill the receptor spots and black neurotransmitters

22
Q

Central Nervous System

A

Brain and spinal cord
Makes us unique among animals
It is fragile- serious damage is usually permanent

23
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

The brains ability to reorganize and change its structure and function throughout the life span

24
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The division and differentiation of nonneural cells to produce neurons

25
Q

Stem cells

A

Rare, immature cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell depending on the chemical signals they receive

26
Q

Spinal reflex

A

Innate, automatic response to a stimulus

The signal bypasses the cerebral cortex, the centre of rational thought

27
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body

Somatic NS and Autonomic NS

28
Q

Somatic NS

A

Voluntary
Controls voluntary muscles
conveys sensory information to the CNS
Sends motor messages to muscles

29
Q

Autonomic NS

A

Involuntary
Controls involuntary basic life functions, like heartbeat and response to stress
2 parts- sympathetic and parasympathetic

30
Q

Sympathetic NS

A

Arouses body to expend energy and respond to threat

31
Q

Parasympathetic NS

A

Calms body to conserve energy and restore the status quo

32
Q

The Hindbrain

A

Area of the brain responsible for lower level structures

33
Q

Medulla (HB)

A

Responsible for vital automatic functions, such as respiration and heartbeat

34
Q

Pons (HB)

A

Involved in respiration, movement, waking, sleeping, and dreaming

35
Q

Cerebellum (HB)

A

Coordinating fine muscle movement, balance, some perception/cognition

36
Q

Forebrain

A

Area of the brain associated with higher level structures

37
Q

Lymbic System

A

Interconnected group of structure involved with emotions, drives, and memory
Hypothalamus
Hippocampus
Amygdala

38
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Helps govern drives and hormones

39
Q

Hippocampus

A

Forming and retrieving memories

40
Q

Amygdala

A

Production and regulation of emotions, especially aggression and fear

41
Q

Cerebral Cortex (FB)

A

Governs higher mental processes like rational thought

42
Q

Thalamus (FB)

A

Brains sensory switchboard

43
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

Two lobes at the front of the brain governing motor control (motor cortex), speech production (Broca’s area, L side), and higher functions (thinking, personality, emotion, memory)

44
Q

Parietal Lobes

A

Two lobes at the top of the brain where bodily sensations are received and interpreted (somatosensory cortex)

45
Q

Temporal lobes

A

Two lobes on each side above the ears involved in audition (auditory cortex), language comprehension (Wernicke’s area, L), memory, and some emotional control

46
Q

Occipital lobes

A

Lobes in the back of the brain responsible for vision(visual cortex) and visual perception

47
Q

Association areas

A

So called “quiet” areas in the cerebral cortex involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on information processes by other parts of the brain

48
Q

Motor and Sensory Cortex

A

Left Motor Cortex- messages sent from here to the body

Right Somatosensory Cortex- messages send here from the body

49
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

The part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres of the brain

50
Q

Split Brain Research

A

Left hemisphere is verbal, right hemisphere is non verbal
The patient can see what is on their left side and touch it, but they cannot verbalize it because of the disconnect between the two hemispheres

Psychology 121 (6 decks)

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