psych chapter 3 Flashcards
sickle-cell anemia
a genetic condition in which red blood cells, which are normally round take on a crescent-like shape
Luwi and Sena
Sisters, Luwi carries the sickle-cell gene and Sena does not. Carriers have one copy of the gene, but don’t have full blown sickle-cell anemia. One copy of the gene immune to malaria, two copies of the gene not immune.
theory of natural selection
organisms that are better suited for their environment will survive and reproduce, while those that are poorly suited for their enviornment will die off
genetic variation
the genetic difference between individuals
chromosomes
long strings of genetic material known as DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid
helix-shaped molecule made up of nucleotide base paris
genes
control a number of visible characterists
allele
specific version of a gene
genotype
genetic makeup of that individual
phenotype
the individuals inherited physical characteristics
dominant allele
either from 1 or both parents, result in the phenotype associated witht th edominant allele
homozygous
2 copies of the same allele
heterozygous
combination of alleles for a given gene
recessive allele
homozygous
polygenic
controlled by more than one gene
mutation
a sudden, permanent change in a 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
study how the same genotype can lead to very different phenotypes
nervous system
2 cell types; glial and neurons
glial cells
supportive to neruons, helps with communication, provides insulation, transportaion and mediate immune responses
neurons
interconnected information processors that are essential for all of the tasks of the nervous system
semipermeable membrane
allows smaller and non electrical charges to pass through while blocking higher charged and larger molecules
soma
cell body
dendrites
branching extensions, input site; signals from other neurons
axon
where signals are transmitter across soma and down a major extension
terminal buttons
synaptic vesicles that house neurotransmitters (chemical messengers)
myelin sheath
coats axon and acts as an insulator (fatty substance)
nodes of ranvier
gaps in myelin sheath
synaptic cleft
small space between neurons, communication occurs
receptors
proteins on the cell surface where neurotransmitters attach
membrane potential
provides energy for the signal
resting potential
membrane’s potential in state of readiness
threshold of excitation
neuron becomes active and the action potential begins
action potential
electrical signal moves from cell body down axon to axon terminal
reuptake
neurotransmitters being pumped back into the neuron that released ir
psychotropic medications
drugs that trest psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitters balance
agonists
chemicals that mimic a neurotransmitter at the receptor site
antagonist
blocks/impedes normal activity of neurotransmitters at receptors
nervous system
communication network that takes in information from the world and the body’s tissues, makes decisions and sends back information