Chapter 3 Flashcards
Heredity
The biological process responsible for passing on traits from one generation to another.
Genes
Basic units of heredity
(approx. 20,000-25,000)
Guide the process of creating proteins that make up our physical structures and a regular development and physiological processes.
Made of DNA segments
DNA
A molecule formed in a double helix shape.
Chromosomes
Structures in the cells nucleolus that are lined with all of the genes someone inherits.
23 pairs of chromosomes 
 Genotype
The genetic makeup of an organism.
The unique set of genes that comprise the individuals genetic code.
Phenotype
The physical traits and behavioural characteristics expressed
Ex) eye colour, facial features, personality
Behavioural genomics
Study of DNA and how specific genes are related to behaviour.
Behavioural genetics
How genes and the environment influence behaviour.
Genetic and environmental influences both account for differences in behaviour.
(nature vs. nurture, genes vs. Environment)
Epigenetics
How experiences cause changes in gene expression without altering genetic code
Natural selection
Favourable traits become increasingly common in a population of interbreeding individuals, while unfavourable traits become less common.
Evolution
Change in the frequency of genes occurring in an interbreeding population over generations.
Evolutionary psychology
Attempts to explain the human behavior’s based on the beneficial functions that may have served our species development.
Nervous system
Part of an animals body involved in coordination of behaviour.
Consist of:
- central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
- peripheral nervous system (nerve connections throughout the body)
Neurons
Types of cells found in the nervous system that are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body.
Function of cell body (Soma)
Contains the nucleus that houses the cells genetic material.
Dendrites
Small branches attached to the cell body that receive messages from other cells.
Axon
Transports information in the form of electrochemical reactions from the cell body.
Axon terminals
Bulb-like extensions at the end of the axon. Filled with vesicles containing neurotransmitters.
Neuroplasticity
The process by which the brain changes and rewires itself based experience.
Neurogenesis
Formation of new neurons.
Ion channels
Small pores on the neurons cell membrane that allows ions to pass through.
Action potential
Wave of electrical activity starting at the beginning of the axon and rapidly travels down the length of the axon. 
Refractory period
Neuron cannot fire until it returns to original resting potential.
Synapse
The area involving neuron 1’s axon terminals, and neuron 2’s dendrites.
Presynaptic cell
Neuron that releases its neurotransmitters
Postsynaptic cell
Neuron that receives neurotransmitters from presynaptic cell.
Excitatory neuron
Increases the likelihood of an action potential for that neuron
Inhibitory neuron
Decreases the likelihood of an action potential for that neuron.
Reuptake
Process where neurotransmitter molecules are reabsorbed into the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron
Somatic system (PNS)
Nerves that control skeletal muscles, responsible for voluntary and reflexive movements.
Nerves that receive sensory input from the body. 
Autonomic system (PNS)
Unconscious control of glands and bodily organs.
2 subcomponents:
- sympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system 
Sympathetic nervous system
Control of responses that prepare the body for action (fight or flight)
Ex) heart rate increase
Parasympathetic nervous system
Maintains homeostasis (balance)
Returns body to non-emergency state.
Corpus callosum
Neural fibres connecting the two hemispheres of the brain.
Hindbrain
Contains structures critical for basic, life-sustaining process.
(Survival)
Midbrain
Relays station between sensory and motor areas
Includes:
- superior colliculus (visual attention)
- inferior colliculus (auditory attention)
Forebrain
Everything above the midbrain. Many interconnected structures critical to the processing emotion, memory, thinking, and reasoning.
Medulla
(In hindbrain)
Involves regulation of breathing, heart rate (minimal conscious control)
Pons
(In Hindbrain)
Responsible for wakefulness
Cerebellum
(In hindbrain)
Coordination of timing of movement, maintaining balance, attention, and emotional responses.
Basal ganglia
(In forebrain)
Involves planned movements, skill learning, and integrating sensory and motor information with a reward/pleasure system.
Amygdala
(In forebrain)
Facilitates memory formation for emotional events. Creates fear responses.
Hippocampus
(In forebrain)
Responsible for learning and the formation of new memories.
Hypothalamus
(In forebrain)
Responsible for homeostasis (temp, hunger, thirst, sex)
Thalamus
(In forebrain)
Relays incoming sensory information to different brain regions.
Cerebral cortex
Wrinkled outer layer of the brain.
Involved And hire a function such a thought, language, and personality.
4 lobes: occipital, parietal, temporal, frontal
Occipital lobes
Process visual information
Parietal lobes
Responsible for touch, bodily awareness, spatial awareness, attention.
Temporal lobes
Responsible for hearing, language, memory, visual object recognition.
Frontal lobe 
Consists of:
Primary motor cortex - voluntary movement
Prefrontal cortex - planning, decision making, language production, regulating emotion
Lesioning
Intentional damage to an area in the brain of an animal.
Allows researchers to isolate particular brain structures, lesion them, and study the resulting behaviour.
