Chapter 3 Biopsychology Flashcards
Chromosomes
Chromosomes are long strings of genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
DNA
DNA is a helix-shaped molecule made up of nucleotide base pairs.
Allele
An allele is a specific version of a gene.
Genotype
the genetic makeup of that individual.
Phenotype
refers to the individual’s inherited physical characteristics, which are a combination of genetic and environmental influences
homozygous
When someone has two copies of the same allele
heterozygous
When someone has a combination of alleles for a given gene,
polygenic
Most traits are polygenic: controlled by more than one gene.
Range of reaction
asserts that our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment interacts with the genes to determine where in that range we will fall.
genetic environmental correlation.
our genes influence our environment, and our environment influences the expression of our genes
epigenetics
refers to a change in gene expression or cellular traits that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.
The nervous system is composed of two basic cell types:
glial cells (also known as glia) and neurons.
Glial cells, which outnumber neurons ten to one, are traditionally thought to play a supportive role to neurons, both physically and metabolically.
Significance of Glial cells..?
provide scaffolding on which the nervous system is built, help neurons line up closely with each other to allow neuronal communication, provide insulation to neurons, transport nutrients and waste products, and mediate immune responses.
Neurons
serve as interconnected information processors that are essential for all of the tasks of the nervous system.
semipermeable membrane
A neuron’s outer surface is made up of a semipermeable membrane. This membrane allows smaller molecules and molecules without an electrical charge to pass through it, while stopping larger or highly charged molecules.
Soma
Is the cell body where the nucleus is.
Has branching extensions known as Dendrites
dendrites
dendrites serve as input sites where signals are received from other neurons
Agonists
Agonists are chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site and, thus, strengthen its effects.
An antagonis
An antagonist, blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor.
reuptake inhibitors
prevent unused neurotransmitters from being transported back to the neuron.
somatic nervous system
somatic nervous system is associated with activities traditionally thought of as conscious or voluntary.
The PNS has two major subdivisions:
the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
Motor neurons,
carrying instructions from the CNS to the muscles, are efferent fibers (efferent means “moving away from”).
Sensory neurons,
carrying sensory information to the CNS, are afferent fibers (afferent means “moving toward”).
autonomic nervous system
controls our internal organs and glands and is generally considered to be outside the realm of voluntary control.
It can be further subdivided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
sympathetic nervous system
is involved in preparing the body for stress-related activities;
fight or flight response
parasympathetic nervous system
is associated with returning the body to routine, day-to-day operations.
Homeostasis
is a state of equilibrium, in which biological conditions (such as body temperature) are maintained at optimal levels.
corpus callosum
a thick band of neural fibers, consisting of 200 million axons, that connect the two hemispheres
The limbic system is involved in processing
both emotion and memory.
Interestingly, the sense of smell projects directly to the limbic system; therefore, not surprisingly, smell can evoke emotional responses in ways that other sensory modalities cannot.
The thalamus
is a sensory relay for the brain. All of our senses, with the exception of smell, are routed through the thalamus before being directed to other areas of the brain for processing
Three main structures of the limbic system
hippocampus, the amygdala, and the hypothalamus
