Chapter 2.1 & 2.2 Flashcards
biopsychology
The specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and mental processes
evolution
the gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment
natural selection
The driving force behind evolution by which nature “selects” its fittest organisms
genotype
an organisms genetic makeup
phenotype
an organisms physical and behavioral characteristics
genome
the complete set of genetic information contained within a cell
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
a long, complex molecule that encodes genetic characteristics
gene
segment of a chromosome that encodes the directions for the inherited mental and physical characteristics of an organism. Genes are the functional units of a chromosome.
chromosome
tightly coiled threadlike structure along which the genes are organized, like beads on a necklace. Chromosomes consists primarily of DNA.
neuron
also called a nerve cell, it is a cell specialized to receive and transmit information to other cells in the body
sensory neuron
Afferent neurons - a nerve cell that carries messages towards the central nervous system from sense receptors
motor neuron
Efferent neurons - a nerve cell that carries messages away from the central nervous system toward the muscles and glands
interneuron
a nerve cell that relays messages between nerve cells, especially in the brain and spinal cord
dendrite
branched fiber that extends outward from the cell body and carries information into the neuron
soma
cell body - part of the cell that contains the nucleus
axon
an extended fiber in a nerve cell that conducts information from the soma to the terminal buttons
resting potential
the electrical charge of the axon in its inactive state
action potential
the nerve impulse caused by an electrical change across the cell membrane of the axon. When the neuron fires, this charge travels down the axon and causes neurtransmitters to be released by the terminal buttons
all-or-none principle
refers to the fact that the action potential occurs completely or not at all
synapse
microscopic gap that serves as a communication link between neurons as well as between neurons and the muscles/glands they serve
terminal buttons
tiny bulb-like structures at the end of the axon that contain neurtransmitters that carry the neuron’s message into the synapse
synaptic transmission
the relaying of information across the synapse by means of chemical transmitters
neurotransmitters
chemical messenger that relays neural messages across the synapse, many of these are also hormones
reuptake
the process of which unused neurotransmitters are drawn back into the vesicles of the originating neurons
plasticity
the nervous systems ability to adapt or change as a result of experience and can even help the nervous system adapt to physical damage
glial cells
one of the cells that provide structural support for the neurons
nervous system
the entire network of neurons in the body, including the central and peripheral nervous systems and their subdivisions
central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord
reflex
simple, unlearned response triggered by stimuli
contralateral pathways
pathways between brain and body that allow the left side of the brain to control the right side of the body and vice versa
peripheral nervous system
all parts of the nervous system that lies outside the central system, includes autonomic and somantic nervous systems
somantic nervous system
division of the peripheral system that carries sensory messages to the central system and voluntary messages to the muscles
autonomic nervous system
division of the peripheral system that sends communication between the central system and the inner organs and glands
sympathetic division
division of the autonomic system that deals with stressful and emergency situations (fight or flight)
parasympathetic division
division of the autonomic system that calms the body down
endocrine system
the hormone system, the body’s chemical messenger system, including the endocrine glands: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, testes
hormones
chemical messengers used by the endocrine system, many serve as neurotransmitters in the nervous system
pituitary gland
the “master control gland” that produces hormones as well as influences growth, attached to the brains hypothalmus
agonists
drugs or other chemicals that facilitate the effects of neurotransmitters
antagonists
drugs or other chemicals that inhibit the effects of neurotransmitters
neural pathways
bundles of nerve cells that generally follow the same route and use the same neurotransmitters
