Psychology Chapter 3 Flashcards
Theory of evolution by natural selection
Charles Darwin theory that organisms that are better suited for their environment will survive and reproduce, while those that are poorly suited for their environment will die off.
Chromosones
long strings of genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
DNA is a helix-shaped molecule made up of nucleotide base pairs. In each chromosome, sequences of DNA make up genes that control or partially control a number of visible characteristics, known as traits, such as eye color, hair color, and so on.
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. For example, if an individual’s genetic makeup predisposes her to high levels of intellectual potential and she is reared in a rich, stimulating environment, then she will be more likely to achieve her full potential than if she were raised under conditions of significant deprivation.
Synapse
In healthy individuals, the neuronal signal moves rapidly down the axon to the terminal buttons, where synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters into the synapse.
The synapse is a very small space between two neurons and is an important site where communication between neurons occurs. Once neurotransmitters are released into the synapse, they travel across the small space and bind with corresponding receptors on the dendrite of an adjacent neuron
membrane potential
Difference in charge across the neuronal membrane. The neuron exists in a fluid environment—it is surrounded by extracellular fluid and contains intracellular fluid (i.e., cytoplasm).
The neuronal membrane keeps these two fluids separate—a critical role because the electrical signal that passes through the neuron depends on the intra- and extracellular fluids being electrically different.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Reuptake involves the neurotransmitter being pumped back into the neuron that released it, in order to clear the synapse
Clearing the synapse serves both to provide a clear “on” and “off” state between signals and to regulate the production of neurotransmitter (full synaptic vesicles provide signals that no additional neurotransmitters need to be produced).
Central Nervous System
is comprised of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
connects the CNS to the rest of the body
somatic nervous system
associated with activities traditionally thought of as conscious or voluntary. It is involved in the relay of sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
therefore, it consists of motor neurons and sensory neurons.
Motor neurons, carrying instructions from the CNS to the muscles, are efferent fibers (efferent means “moving away from”). Sensory neurons, carrying sensory information to the CNS, are afferent fibers (afferent means “moving toward”).
Each nerve is basically a two-way superhighway, containing thousands of axons, both efferent and afferent.
The autonomic nervous system
controls our internal organs and glands and is generally considered to be outside the realm of voluntary control. It can be further subdivided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
Sympathetic Nervous System
involved in preparing the body for stress-related activities
parasympathetic nervous system
associated with returning the body to routine, day-to-day operations.
Homotasis
Homeostasis The two systems have complementary functions, operating in tandem to maintain the body’s homeostasis. Homeostasis is a state of equilibrium, in which biological conditions (such as body temperature) are maintained at optimal levels.
fight or flight response
allows the body access to energy reserves and heightened sensory capacity so that it might fight off a threat or run away to safety.
