Chapter 2- Neuroscience And Biological Foundations Flashcards
Behavioural genetics
The study of the relative effects of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour and mental processes
Dominant Genes
The trait is expressed if only one parent passes on the gene
Recessive genes
Trait is only expressed if it is inherited from both parents
Polygenetic traits
Traits that are controlled by multiple genes and often are affected by environmental and social factors
Methods for Studying Heritability
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
3 Misconceptions about Genetics
Genetic traits are not fixed
Heritability estimates apply to populations not individuals
Genes and environment are inseparable
Evolutionary Psychology
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
Building blocks of the brain
Neuron
Glial cell
Neuron
Nerve cell that processes and transmits information
Basic building block of the nervous system responsible for receiving and transmitting electrochemical information
“Our wiring”
Glial Cell
Cell that provides structural, nutritional, and other support for the neurons, as well as communication within the nervous system
Aka glia or neuroglia
Parts of a Neuron
Dendrites Cell Body Axon Myelin Sheath Terminal Buttons
Dendrites
Receive information from other cells
Cell Body
Received information from dendrites, and if enough stimulation is received the message is passed on to the axon
Axon
Carries neurons message to other body cells
Myelin sheath
Covers the axon of some neurons to insulate and help speed neural impulses
Terminal Buttons
Form junctions with other cells and release chemicals called neurotransmitters
Action Potential
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
Communication between neurons
Sending Neuron sends neurotransmitters into the synapse, which are received by the next neuron and the message is sent on
Endocrine System and Hormones
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
Agonist drugs
Mimic neurotransmitters and the message is sent on
Antagonistic drugs
Fill the receptor spots and black neurotransmitters
Central Nervous System
Brain and spinal cord
Makes us unique among animals
It is fragile- serious damage is usually permanent
Neuroplasticity
The brains ability to reorganize and change its structure and function throughout the life span
Neurogenesis
The division and differentiation of nonneural cells to produce neurons
Stem cells
Rare, immature cells that have the potential to develop into almost any type of cell depending on the chemical signals they receive
Spinal reflex
Innate, automatic response to a stimulus
The signal bypasses the cerebral cortex, the centre of rational thought
Peripheral nervous system
Connects the CNS to the rest of the body
Somatic NS and Autonomic NS
Somatic NS
Voluntary
Controls voluntary muscles
conveys sensory information to the CNS
Sends motor messages to muscles
Autonomic NS
Involuntary
Controls involuntary basic life functions, like heartbeat and response to stress
2 parts- sympathetic and parasympathetic
Sympathetic NS
Arouses body to expend energy and respond to threat
Parasympathetic NS
Calms body to conserve energy and restore the status quo
The Hindbrain
Area of the brain responsible for lower level structures
Medulla (HB)
Responsible for vital automatic functions, such as respiration and heartbeat
Pons (HB)
Involved in respiration, movement, waking, sleeping, and dreaming
Cerebellum (HB)
Coordinating fine muscle movement, balance, some perception/cognition
Forebrain
Area of the brain associated with higher level structures
Lymbic System
Interconnected group of structure involved with emotions, drives, and memory
Hypothalamus
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Hypothalamus
Helps govern drives and hormones
Hippocampus
Forming and retrieving memories
Amygdala
Production and regulation of emotions, especially aggression and fear
Cerebral Cortex (FB)
Governs higher mental processes like rational thought
Thalamus (FB)
Brains sensory switchboard
Frontal Lobe
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)
Parietal Lobes
Two lobes at the top of the brain where bodily sensations are received and interpreted (somatosensory cortex)
Temporal lobes
Two lobes on each side above the ears involved in audition (auditory cortex), language comprehension (Wernicke’s area, L), memory, and some emotional control
Occipital lobes
Lobes in the back of the brain responsible for vision(visual cortex) and visual perception
Association areas
So called “quiet” areas in the cerebral cortex involved in interpreting, integrating, and acting on information processes by other parts of the brain
Motor and Sensory Cortex
Left Motor Cortex- messages sent from here to the body
Right Somatosensory Cortex- messages send here from the body
Corpus Callosum
The part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres of the brain
Split Brain Research
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
