Chapter 3 - Biology and Behavior Flashcards
How can behavior be described in terms of a function?
behavior is a function of who and where we are
What are the 3 key elements of the nature and nurture model?
- genotype
- Phenotype
- environment
What is a genotype?
the genetic material an individual inherits
What is a phenotype?
the observable expression of the genotype
What is an environment?
every aspect of the individual, and their surroundings, other than genes
What are the 4 genetic and environmental influence relationships?
- Parent’s genotype - child’s genotype
- Child’s genotype - child’s phenotype
- child’s environment - child’s phenotype
- Child’s phenotype - child’s environment
Explain the “parent’s genotype - child’s genotype” influence relationship
- 23 pairs of chromosomes are inherited by child from parents
- all of which are basically identical except from sex chromosomes
What are some ways in which genetic diversity come about?
mutations and random assortment
Explain the “child’s genotype - child’s phenotype” influence relationship
- gen expression throughout their lifetime caused by regulator genes
- different alleles which one inherits determine phenotypes which may be expressed
Explain the “child’s environment - child’s phenotype” influence relationship
- a child’s environment can influence how their phenotypes are expressed
- some environments may be better suited for a child depending on their inherited genes
What is a norm of reaction?
all phenotypes that could theoretically result from a given genotype, in relation to all the environments in which it could survive and develop
Give an example of how a child’s environment can influence their phenotype
Children abused can grow up to be abusers themselves
- MAOA gene is associated w/ aggression control
- MAOA inactivity paired with abusive environment increases chances of violence in the future
Explain the “child’s phenotype - child’s environment” influence relationship
Explains the “active child”
- children are active creators of their environment
- they can choose their interests, friends, toys , etc
List the main components of a neuron and their functions
1) cell body/ soma - contains the genetic material that keeps the neuron functioning
2) dendrites - fibers that receive input from other cells and conduct it towards the cell body
3) axons - a fiber that conducts electrical signals away from the cell body to connect to other neurons
What about human brains makes them more complex than other animals’ brains?
the increased corticalization
Which system do neurons send signals from? which system are they sent to?
from CNS to PNS
What is the point at which neurons connect called?
the synapse
What are glial cells?
- the brain’s white matter
- make up half of the human brain
- perform many critical functions like the formation of myelin sheath
What is the cerebral cortex?
the gray matter of the brain
- plays primary role in “human functions” (seeing, hearing, writing, feeling emotion, etc.)
What are the primary structures of the cerebral cortex?
- temporal lobe
- parietal lobe
- occipital lobe
- frontal lobe
What does the occipital lobe do?
process visual information
What does the temporal lobe do?
involved in:
- memory
- visual recognition
- processing of emotion
- processing of auditory information
what is the parietal lobe responsible for?
- processing and integrating sensory information with memories
- pain
What is the frontal lobe responsible for?
- organizes behavior
- planning
- language
- decision making
- consciousness
- personality
- executive decision
(higher order functions)
What does the hippocampus do?
store memories
What does the left hemisphere of the brain process?
language
What does the hypothalamus do?
- control hunger
- control thirst
- control temperature
- control other visceral and bodily functions
What does the pituitary gland do?
control the endocrine system (control hormones)
What does the medulla do?
control breathing, swallowing, digestion, and heart rate
What is the corpus callosum?
a band of fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres
What does the thalamus do?
relays sensory information to the cortex
What is the midbrain?
conduction and switching center
What is the cerebellum responsible for?
- muscle memory
- muscle tone
- body balance
- coordinated movement
What is the reticular formation responsible for?
- arousal
- attention
- movement
- reflexes
What is the spinal cord responsible for?
- conducting paths for motor and sensory impulses
- local reflexes
When does cerebra lateralization occur?
as two hemispheres specialized for different modes of processing
