psych ch 3 Flashcards
Genes
the basic units of heredity, genes are responsible for guiding the process of creating the proteins that make up our physical structures and regulate development and physiological processes throughout the lifespan
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
a molecule formed in a double-helix shape that contains four nucleotides: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine
Genotype
the genetic makeup of an organisation–the unique set of genes that comprises that individuals genetic code
Phenotype
the physical traits and behavioural characteristics that show genetic variation, such as eye colour, the shape and size of facial features, intelligence, and personality
chromosomes
structures in the cellular nucleus that are lined with all of the genes an individual inherits
Homozygous
if two corresponding genes at a given location on a pair of chromosomes are the same
Heterozygous
if two corresponding genes at a given location on a pair of chromosomes are the differ
Monozygotic twins
come from a single ovum (egg), which makes them essentially identical (approx 100% in common genes)
Dizygotic twins
come from two separate eggs fertilised by two different sperm cells that share the same womb; these twins have appro 50% of their genes in common
Longitudinal studies
studies that follow the same individuals for many years, often decades
Heritability
a statistic expressed as a number between zero and one, that represents the degree to which genetic differences among individuals contribute to individuals differences in a behaviour or trait found in a population
Epigenetics
changes in gene expression that occur as a result of experience and that do not alter the genetic code
Altering Genes:
CRISPR-Cas9
a technique that allows genetic material to be removed, added, or altered in specific locations of the genome
Natural selection (Darwin)
the process by which favourable traits become increasingly common in a population of interbreeding individuals, while traits are unfavourable become less common
Evolutionary psychology
attempts to explain human behaviours based on the beneficial function they may have served in our species evolutionary history
Neurons
one of the major types of cells found in the nervous system, which are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body
All neurons have a cell body: the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus that houses the cells genetic material
Dendrites
small branches radiating from the cell body that receive messages from other cells and transmit those messages toward the rest of the cell
Axon
transports information in the form of electrochemical reactions from the cell body to the end of the neuron
Axon terminals
bulb-like extensions filled with vesicles (little bags of molecules)
These vesicles contain Neurotransmitters: the chemicals that function as messengers allowing neurons to communicate with each other
Synaptic cleft: the small space between the axon terminal and dendrite.
Glial cells
specialised cells of the nervous system that are involved in mounting immune responses in the brain, removing waste, and synchronising the activity of the billions of neurons that constitute the nervous system
Myelin
a fatty sheath that insulates axons from one another, resulting in increased speed and efficiency of neural communication
Multiple sclerosis
a disease in which the immune system does not recognize myelin and attacks it
Action potential
a wave of electrical activity that originates at the beginning of the axon near the cell body and rapidly travels down its lengths
Resting potential
the relatively stable state during which the cell is not transmitting messages
Synapse
an area consisting of a neuron’s axon terminals and a different neurons dendrites
Presynaptic cell
the neuron that releases its neurotransmitters into the synapse
Postsynaptic cell
the neuron that receives neurotransmitters from the presynaptic cell
Glutamate
the most common excitatory neurotransmitters in the brains of vertebrates
Acetylcholine
one of the most widespread neurotransmitters within the body, found at the junctions between nerve cells and skeletal muscles; it’s important for voluntary movement
Dopamine
a monoamine neurotransmitter involved in such varied functions as mood, control of voluntary movement, and processing of rewarding experiences
Hormones
chemical secreted by the glands of endocrine system
Endorphins
hormones produced by the pituitary gland ad the hypothalamus that function to reduce pain and induce feelings of pleasure
Testosterone
a hormone that serves multiple functions, including driving physical sexual development over the long term
The Central Nervous system consists of…
the brain and the spinal cord
The Peripheral Nervous system
a division of the nervous system that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body and is divided into two subcomponents
The Somatic Nervous system consists of…
nerves that control skeletal muscles, which are responsible for voluntary and reflexive movement; also consists of nerves that receive sensory input from the body
The Autonomic Nervous system
the portion of the peripheral system responsible for regulating the activity of organs and glands
The Sympathetic Nervous system
responsible for the fight-or-flight response of an increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and decreased salivary flow - responses that prepare the body for action.
The Parasympathetic Nervous system helps maintain…
homeostatic balance in the presence of change; following sympathetic arousal, it works to return the body to a baseline, non-emergency state
The brain is divided into ______–nearly symmetrical halves of the brain that contain the same structures
two cerebral hemispheres
Corpus callosum
a collection of neural fibres connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
Parkinson’s disease
a condition marked by major impairments in voluntary movement - is caused by a loss of dopamine-producing cells in this network
Huntington’s disease
a condition involving uncontrollable movement of the body, head, and face
Tourette’s syndrome
a condition marked by erratic and repetitive facial and muscle movements, and random ticks
The occipital lobes are located at the _______
And are where _______ is processed
rear of the brain, visual information
The parietal lobes are involved in our _______ as well our bodily awareness
experiences of
touch
The temporal lobes are located at the_________, near the ears and are involved in _________________
sides of the brain; hearing, language, and face recognition/vision
The frontal lobes are for _________
(planning, regulating impulses, language production)
higher cognitive functions
Cortical deafness
problems with hearing despite the fact that the patient’s ears work fine
Hemispheric specialisation
a phenomenon that the two sides of the cortex often perform different functions
Split-brain patients
individuals with epilepsy who had their corpus callosum served in order to treat their seizures
Neuroplasticity
the capacity of the brain to change and require itself based on individual experience
