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Chapter 3 Flashcards

1
Q

Theory of evolution by natural selection

A

Organisms better suited for their environment will survive and reproduce

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2
Q

Evolutionary psychology

A

How universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes have evolved over time

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3
Q

How is reproduction related to evolutionary psychology?

A

Variations in cognitive behavior make individuals more or less successful at reproducing

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4
Q

What adaptations are related to evolutionary psychology?

A

Fear response, food preference, mate selection, cooperation

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5
Q

Behavioral genetics

A

How individual differences arise through interactions of genes and the environment

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6
Q

Example of a behavioral genetics study

A

Twins - is a behavioral trait shared among identical and fraternal twins?
Adoption - is a trait shared among biologically related and adopted relatives?

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7
Q

Chromosome

A

A long string of DNA

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8
Q

Gene

A

A sequence of DNA that controls or partially controls a visible characteristic

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9
Q

Polygenic

A

A trait controlled by more than one gene

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10
Q

Mutation

A

A sudden and permanent change in a gene that may or may not be harmful

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11
Q

How may a mutation be beneficial?

A

Mutations lead to variation, making some individuals more adapted to survive and reproduce by making them more competitive

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12
Q

Range of reaction

A

Our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment interacts with our genes to determine where in that range we fall

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13
Q

Example of range of reaction

A

A person with intelligent genes will achieve greater potential in a prosperous environment than an impoverished one

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14
Q

Genetics environment correlation

A

Genes influence our environment, and the environment influences the expression of our genes

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15
Q

Example of genetics environmental correlation

A

The child of an NBA player may recognize full genetic, athletic potential. The parents’ genes influence the environment of their child, and the environment supports the childs’ genetic potential.

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16
Q

Epigenetics

A

How the same genotype can result in different phenotypes

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17
Q

Identical twins

A

Fertilized egg split

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18
Q

Fraternal twins

A

Two different eggs fertilized by different sperm

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19
Q

Why might we observe epigenetics?

A

The same genotype can lead to different phenotypes because of how the genetic information is expressed over time through unique environmental interactions

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20
Q

Are genes linked to behavior?

A

Yes - personality, sexuality, and spirituality (the environment also influences these behaviors)

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21
Q

Glial cells

A

The scaffolding on which the nervous system is built

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22
Q

Function of glial cells

A

Help neurons line up, communicate, provide insulation, transport nutrients and waste, mediate immune responses

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23
Q

Neurons

A

Interconnected information processors that perform tasks of the nervous system

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24
Q

Axons

A

Electrically transmit signals

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25
Dendrite
Branching extensions where signals from other neurons are received
26
Myelin sheath
Coat the axon, increase the speed at which the signal travels
27
Terminal buttons
Contain synaptic vesicles that house neurotransmitters
28
Nodes of ravier
Gaps in the myelin sheath
29
Synapse
Where communication between neurons occurs
30
Receptors…
Match with neurotransmitters via lock and key
31
Membrane potential
Difference in charge across the membrane within intra/extracellular cytoplasm that is maintained by the semipermeable membrane
32
Resting potential
Ions are ready to cross the cell membrane when the neuron activates and membrane gates open
33
Threshold of excitation
Neuron receives signal at dendrites/the neurotransmitter binds to receptors, Na+ ions move into the cell, increasing + charge
34
Peak action potential
More pores open, influx of Na+ and spike in membrane potential
35
Repolarization
Na+ gates close, K+ opens, positive charge exits
36
Hyperpolarization
A cell has charge slightly more negative than resting membrane potential
37
Reuptake
The neurotransmitters is pumped back into the neuron that released in in order to clear the synapse
38
Action potential
Electric signal that moves from the cell body, down the axon, to the axon terminals
39
Na+/K+ pump
Moves three Na+ out and one K+ in
40
How does an action potential travel?
It jumps between the nodes of ravier. As Na+ diffuse along the axon they raise the charge past the threshold of excitation and trigger a new influx of Na+
41
Biological perspective
The point of view taken by psychologists that focus on the physiological causes of behavior
42
What causes a psychological disorder?
An imbalance in one or more neurotransmitter systems
43
Psychotropic medications
Treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
44
Agonist
Chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site
45
Antagonist
Impedes normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor
46
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord
47
Peripheral nervous system
Connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body (nerves)
48
Nerves
Bundles of axons, carries messages between CNS, muscles, organs, and senses
49
What consists of the peripheral nervous system?
1. Somatic nervous system 2. Autonomic nervous system
50
What makes up the autonomic nervous system?
1. Sympathetic nervous system 2. Parasympathetic nervous system
51
Somatic nervous system
Conscious activity - carries sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
52
Motor neurons
Carries instructions from the CNS to muscles (efferent fibers - “away”)
53
Sensory neurons
Carries sensory information to the CNS (afferent fibers - “toward”)
54
Autonomic nervous system
Unconscious activity - internal organs and glands
55
Sympathetic nervous system
Prepares the body for stress-related activities. It adapted for survival.
56
Parasympathetic nervous system
Returns the body to routine operations
57
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system {ie, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems}?
Homeostasis - optimal state of balance for the body
58
Top part of the spinal cord
The nerves merge with the brain to control breathing and digestion
59
What is the function of the 30 segments of the spinal cord?
They connect to a specific body part via peripheral nervous system.
60
Why are spinal reflexes important?
Some sensory messages are immediately acted on w/o brain input. Sensory in, motor out.
61
Neuroplasticity
How the nervous system can change and adapt
62
Why does the nervous system change and adapt?
Personal experiences, developmental processes, injury
63
How does the nervous system change and adapt?
New synapses or removal of unused ones; change in glial cells, birth of new neurons
64
Cerebral cortex
The surface of the brain. Higher level processes, consciousness, thought, emotion, reasoning, language, memory
65
What makes up the cerebral cortex?
Gyri, sulci
66
Gyri
Folds, bumps
67
Sulci
Grooves
68
Most prominent sulci
Longitudinal fissure - deep groove that creates two hemispheres
69
Lateralization
Specialization of function in each hemisphere
70
Corpus callosum
Approximately 200 million axons that connect the two hemispheres (ie, a thick bundle of neural fibers) and allow them to communicate
71
Forebrain
Cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, limbic system
72
Parietal lobe
Processes information from the body’s senses (note - contains somatosensory cortex)
73
Somatosensory cortex
Processes sensory information from the body (touch, temperature, pain) - large SA of body part means more nerves and a greater area here is allotted to processing sensation
74
Temporal lobe
Hearing, memory, emotion, language
75
Auditory cortex
Processes auditory information
76
Wernicke’s area
Speech comprehension
77
Occipital lobe
Primary visual cortex
78
Frontal lobe
Reasoning, motor control, emotion, language
79
Motor cortex
Movement
80
Prefrontal cortex
Higher level cognitive functioning
81
Broca’s area
Language production
82
Thalamus
Sensory relay for brain
83
Limbic system
Emotion, memory, smell
84
Hippocampus
Learning and memory
85
Hypothalamus
Homeostatic processes (body temperature, appetite, blood pressure)
86
Amygdala
Emotion and tying emotion to memories
87
What three parts make up the midbrain?
Reticular formation, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area (VTA)
88
Reticular formation
Centered in midbrain, sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, motor activity
89
Substantial nigra & VTA
Contain cell bodies that produce dopamine, movement, mood, reward, addiction
90
What three things make up the hindbrain?
Cerebellum, pons, medulla
91
Cerebellum
Receives messages from muscles, tendons, and joints to control balance, coordination, movement and motor skills, processes memories involved with learning tasks
92
Medulla
Controls automatic processes of the autonomic nervous system (breathing, blood pressure, heart rate)
93
Pons
Connects hindbrain to the rest of the brain, regulates brain activity during sleep
94
CT scan
X-rays of a cross section
95
How does a CT-scan work?
X-rays pass through tissues at different rates
96
What is a CT scan used for?
To look for a tumor or atrophy
97
PET scan
Pictures of living, active brain
98
How does a PET scan work?
A radioactive tracer in the bloodstream is monitored
99
Notes on PET scans
Little detail, imprecise, exposes brain to radiation. Good imaging of neurotransmitters
100
How does an MRI work?
A machine generates a strong magnetic field that causes H atoms to move when the B-field is turned off, EM signals are released as H atoms return to positions. - tissues of different densities give off different signals
101
FMRI
Functions on the same principles as an MRI but shows changes in brain activity over time by tracking blood flow and oxygen levels
102
Why might an fMRI be preferred over an MRI?
It provides more detailed images of brain structure and is more accurate
103
Electroeneophalography
Electrodes receive signals and print out the electrical activity of the brain with frequency and amplitude
104
Endocrine system
Glands that produce hormones
105
What distinguishes a neurotransmitter from a hormone?
It is released in close proximity to the messenger. Localized effect.
106
What distinguishes hormones from neurotransmitters?
Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream, travel through the body, affect any cells with corresponding receptors. Their effect is widespread, longer lasting, but takes more time to start
107
What to hormones and neurotransmitters have in common?
They are both chemical messengers that bind to a receptor to transmit a signal
108
What controls hormones?
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
109
Pituitary gland (hormones and function)
Growth HM, releases and inhibits hormones. Regulates growth and hormone release
110
Thyroid (hormones and function)
Thyroxine, triiodothyronine Regulate metabolism and appetite
111
Pineal (hormones and function)
Melatonin Regulate biological rhythms (ie, sleep)
112
Adrenal (hormones and function)
Epinephrine, norepinephrine Stress response, increase metabolic activities
113
Pancreas (hormones and function)
Insulin, glucagon Regulates blood sugar levels
114
Ovaries (hormones and function)
Estrogen, progesterone Mediate sexual motivation and behavior, reproduction
115
Testes
Androgens (ie, testosterone) Mediate sexual motivation and behavior, reproduction

Psychology (12 decks)

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