endocrine madness Flashcards
Endocrine system
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
Hormones
chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine glands travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues.
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress.
pituitary gland
the endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.
lesion
tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.
electroencephalogram (EEG)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
CT(computed tomography) scan
a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure. (Also called CAT scan)
PET (positron tomography) scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer- generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.
fMRI (functional MRI)
a technique for revealing blood flow and therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as it’s structure.
behavior genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
environment
every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes.
identical twins (monozygotic twins)
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
fraternal twins (dizygotic twins)
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.
interaction
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)
epigenetics
the study of environmental influences on a gene expression that occur without a DNA change.
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
natural selection
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
