CHAPTER 2 Vocab (E-N) Flashcards
Scientific studies in which researchers assess heredity influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble each other on a specific trait
Family studies
A physiological reaction to threat in which the autonomic nervous mobilizes the organism for attacking (fight) flee (flight) an enemy
Fight-or-Flight response
The reproductive success of an individual organism relative to the average reproductive success of the population
Fitness
The largest and most complicated region of the brain encompassing a variety of structures, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum
Forebrain
Twins that result when two eggs are fertilized simultaneously by different, forming two separate zygotes
Fraternal twins
DNA segments that serve as the key functional units in hereditary transmission
Genes
The process of determining the location and chemical sequence of specific genes on specific chromosomes
Genetic mapping
A person’s genetic makeup
Genotype
The situation that occurs when two genes in a specific pair are different
Heterozygous condition
The part of the brain that includes the cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of the brainstem; the medulla and the pons
Hindbrain
The situation that occurs when two genes in a specific pair of the same
Homozygous condition
The chemical substances released by the endocrine glands
Hormones
A structure found near the base of the forebrain that is involved in the regulation of basic biological needs
Hypothalamus
twins that emerge from one zygote that splits for unknown reasons
Identical twins
The sum of an individual’s own reproductive success plus the effects the organism has on the reproductive success of related others
Inclusive fitness
An electric potential that decreases the likelihood that a postsynapticc neuron will fire action potentials
Inhibitory PSP
A relatively durable change in behavior or knowledge that is due to experience
Learning
Destroying a piece of the brain
Lesioning
A densely connected network of structures roughly located along the border between the cerebral cortex and deeper subcortical areas
Limbic system
the segment of the brain stem that lies between the hindbrain and the forebrain
Midbrain
A mating system in which one male and female mate exclusively, or almost exclusively, with each other
Monogamy
A spontaneous, heritable change in a piece of DNA that occurs in the individual organism
Mutation
Insulating material derived from glial cells that encase some axons of neurons
Myelin sheath
Principle stating that heritable characteristics that provide a survival reproductive advantage are more likely than alternative characteristics to be passed on to subsequent generations and thus come to be “selected” over time
Natural selection
Bundles of neuron fibers (axons) that are routed together in the peripheral nervous system
Nerves
Individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information
Neurons
Chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another
Neurotransmitters
