Chapter 3

Question 1

Heredity

Answer 1

The biological process responsible for passing on traits from one generation to another.

Question 2

Genes

Answer 2

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

Question 3

DNA

Answer 3

A molecule formed in a double helix shape.

Question 4

Chromosomes

Answer 4

Structures in the cells nucleolus that are lined with all of the genes someone inherits.

23 pairs of chromosomes 

Question 5

 Genotype

Answer 5

The genetic makeup of an organism.

The unique set of genes that comprise the individuals genetic code.

Question 6

Phenotype

Answer 6

The physical traits and behavioural characteristics expressed
Ex) eye colour, facial features, personality

Question 7

Behavioural genomics

Answer 7

Study of DNA and how specific genes are related to behaviour.

Question 8

Behavioural genetics

Answer 8

How genes and the environment influence behaviour.

Genetic and environmental influences both account for differences in behaviour.
(nature vs. nurture, genes vs. Environment)

Question 9

Epigenetics

Answer 9

How experiences cause changes in gene expression without altering genetic code

Question 10

Natural selection

Answer 10

Favourable traits become increasingly common in a population of interbreeding individuals, while unfavourable traits become less common.

Question 11

Evolution

Answer 11

Change in the frequency of genes occurring in an interbreeding population over generations.

Question 12

Evolutionary psychology

Answer 12

Attempts to explain the human behavior’s based on the beneficial functions that may have served our species development.

Question 13

Nervous system

Answer 13

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)

Question 14

Neurons

Answer 14

Types of cells found in the nervous system that are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body.

Question 15

Function of cell body (Soma)

Answer 15

Contains the nucleus that houses the cells genetic material.

Question 16

Dendrites

Answer 16

Small branches attached to the cell body that receive messages from other cells.

Question 17

Axon

Answer 17

Transports information in the form of electrochemical reactions from the cell body.

Question 18

Axon terminals

Answer 18

Bulb-like extensions at the end of the axon. Filled with vesicles containing neurotransmitters.

Question 19

Neuroplasticity

Answer 19

The process by which the brain changes and rewires itself based experience.

Question 20

Neurogenesis

Answer 20

Formation of new neurons.

Question 21

Ion channels

Answer 21

Small pores on the neurons cell membrane that allows ions to pass through.

Question 22

Action potential

Answer 22

Wave of electrical activity starting at the beginning of the axon and rapidly travels down the length of the axon. 

Question 23

Refractory period

Answer 23

Neuron cannot fire until it returns to original resting potential.

Question 24

Synapse

Answer 24

The area involving neuron 1’s axon terminals, and neuron 2’s dendrites.

Question 25

Presynaptic cell

Answer 25

Neuron that releases its neurotransmitters

Question 26

Postsynaptic cell

Answer 26

Neuron that receives neurotransmitters from presynaptic cell.

Question 27

Excitatory neuron

Answer 27

Increases the likelihood of an action potential for that neuron

Question 28

Inhibitory neuron

Answer 28

Decreases the likelihood of an action potential for that neuron.

Question 29

Reuptake

Answer 29

Process where neurotransmitter molecules are reabsorbed into the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron

Question 30

Somatic system (PNS)

Answer 30

Nerves that control skeletal muscles, responsible for voluntary and reflexive movements. Nerves that receive sensory input from the body. 

Question 31

Autonomic system (PNS)

Answer 31

Unconscious control of glands and bodily organs. 2 subcomponents: - sympathetic nervous system - parasympathetic nervous system 

Question 32

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 32

Control of responses that prepare the body for action (fight or flight) Ex) heart rate increase

Question 33

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 33

Maintains homeostasis (balance) Returns body to non-emergency state.

Question 34

Corpus callosum

Answer 34

Neural fibres connecting the two hemispheres of the brain.

Question 35

Hindbrain

Answer 35

Contains structures critical for basic, life-sustaining process. (Survival)

Question 36

Midbrain

Answer 36

Relays station between sensory and motor areas Includes: - superior colliculus (visual attention) - inferior colliculus (auditory attention)

Question 37

Forebrain

Answer 37

Everything above the midbrain. Many interconnected structures critical to the processing emotion, memory, thinking, and reasoning.

Question 38

Medulla

Answer 38

(In hindbrain) Involves regulation of breathing, heart rate (minimal conscious control)

Question 39

Pons

Answer 39

(In Hindbrain) Responsible for wakefulness

Question 40

Cerebellum

Answer 40

(In hindbrain) Coordination of timing of movement, maintaining balance, attention, and emotional responses.

Question 41

Basal ganglia

Answer 41

(In forebrain) Involves planned movements, skill learning, and integrating sensory and motor information with a reward/pleasure system.

Question 42

Amygdala

Answer 42

(In forebrain) Facilitates memory formation for emotional events. Creates fear responses.

Question 43

Hippocampus

Answer 43

(In forebrain) Responsible for learning and the formation of new memories.

Question 44

Hypothalamus

Answer 44

(In forebrain) Responsible for homeostasis (temp, hunger, thirst, sex)

Question 45

Thalamus

Answer 45

(In forebrain) Relays incoming sensory information to different brain regions.

Question 46

Cerebral cortex

Answer 46

Wrinkled outer layer of the brain. Involved And hire a function such a thought, language, and personality. 4 lobes: occipital, parietal, temporal, frontal

Question 47

Occipital lobes

Answer 47

Process visual information

Question 48

Parietal lobes

Answer 48

Responsible for touch, bodily awareness, spatial awareness, attention.

Question 49

Temporal lobes

Answer 49

Responsible for hearing, language, memory, visual object recognition.

Question 50

Frontal lobe 

Answer 50

Consists of: Primary motor cortex - voluntary movement Prefrontal cortex - planning, decision making, language production, regulating emotion

Question 51

Lesioning

Answer 51

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.