Chpt. 3 study guide Flashcards
Biopsychology
explores the biological mechanisms that underlie behavior
Genetics
- studies how inherited genres can affect not just the physiological but psychological traits of a person
Charles darwin
explored theory of evolution
evolutionary psychologist
presume all behaviors reflect predispositions that helped human ancestors survive
Behavioral Geneticist
study how differences arise in the present throughout the interaction of genes and the environment
chromosome
strand of DNA
DNA
molecule made of nucleotide base pairs
Gene
sequence of DNA that controls physical traits
Genotype
refers to genetic makeup
Phenotype
Describes and individuals observable characteristics
Polygenic trait
traits controlled by more than one gene
Epigenetics
study of gene-environment interactions, how the genotype leads to different phenotypes
soma
body of the neuron cell
axon
sends neural impulses
terminal buttons
end of the axon
neurotransmitter
chemicals released by terminal buttons
synapse
space between neuron
dendrites
pick up the neurotransmitters
myelin sheath
protective insulation around axon
Depolarization
membrane potential becomes less negative making the neurons more likely to fire (excitation)
hyperpolarization
membrane potential becomes more negative making the neuron less likely to fire (inhibition)
reuptake
when the neuron absorbs the neurotransmitter it just sent
Biological perspective
view that psychological disorders are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems
psychotropic medication
drugs used to treat psychiatric symptoms
agonist
drug that mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter
antagonist
drug that blocks normal activity of a given neurotransmitter
Central nervous system (what it does, and contains)
Processes and responds to sensory information; consists of the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (what it does and contains)
connects the central nervous system with the other parts of the body; consists of the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system
somatic nervous system
relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
autonomic nervous system
automatically controls our internal organs
2 parts of the autonomic system
- sympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system
sympathetic nervous system
involved in stress-related activities and functions
parasympathetic nervous system
involved in the relaxed state of the body (usually after the sympatheric nervous system)
what does the spinal cord do?
delivers messages to and from the brain, and has its own system of reflex
what is lateralization
concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions
what do the left and right hemispheres control?
a. left controls the right side of the body, dominant for logic
b. right controls the left side of the body, dominant in nonverbal processing and creativity
corpus callosum
connects the left and right hemispheres
forebrain
contains cerebral cortex, thalamus, and limbic system
limbic system (Hungry Hounds Ate Pavlov)
Hypothalamus, Hippocampus, Amygdala, and Pituitary
Midbrain (what is does, and contains)
connects the hindbrain with the forebrain; consists of Reticular formation, Substantia Nigra, Ventral tegmental Area (VTA)
Hindbrain aka oldest part (Bandura Totally Roughhoused Clowns)
Brainstem, Therabellum, Reticular Formation, and Cerebellum
Cerebral Cortex
(Freud Tore Pants Off)
a. responsible for processes like language and memory
b. contains Frontal lobe, Temporal lobe, Parietal lobe, and Occipital lobe
Pituitary Gland
master gland of the endocrine system
Endocrine system (what it does and contains)
a. series of glands that produces hormone to regulate normal body functions
b. contains pineal gland, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, uterus, ovaries, and testes
