psych 001 (ch3) Flashcards
behavioral genetics
focuses on the contribution of genes to behavior
chromosome
a microscopic rod shaped body in the cell nucleus carrying genes that transmit hereditary traits from generation to generation
DNA
the substance that forms the basic material of chromosomes
gene
a basic unit of heredity, which is found at a specific point on a chromosome
geneotype
the genetic makeup of an individual based on the genetic material (DNA) inherited from one’s parents
phenotype
an individual’s observable characteristics
mutations
sudden, permanent change in a gene (can be harmful or beneficial)
range of reaction
asserts 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
Central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system
surrounds the central
Somatic
relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
Autonomic
controls our internal organs and glands and can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Sympathetic
involved in stress-related activities and functions; prepares us for fight or flight
Parasympathetic
associated with routine, day-today operations of the body under relaxed conditions (rest and restore response)
frontal lobe
involved in executive functioning (planning, organization, judgement, attention, reasoning), motor control, emotion and language
