Unit 1: Bio Vocab Flashcards
Adoption Studies
Studies conducted on an adoptive relatives and biological relatives to determine the influence of genetics versus the environment on behavior.
Environment
All external factors and influences leaving an impact on an individuals development and behavior.
Eugenics
The ideology/ practice of improving the human race by selectively breeding people for certain desirable traits.
Evolutionary Perspective
A psychological approach in hopes of explaining behavior in terms of how it may have been shaped by natural selection and gradual adaptation
Family Studies
A research method in which researchers examine the behaviors & traits of individuals w/in a family unit to understand possible genetic influence over specific traits and disorders.
Genetic Predisposition
An increased chance of developing a specific trait or disorder based on ones genetics.
Heredity
The passing on of genetic factors ( DNA) from parents to offspring
Nature v. Nurture Issue
The dilemma of whether people are born the way they are (through genetics) or if they are made into it through their environment.
Twin Studies
Studies where the influence of genetic factors is measured ( in regards of behavior) by comparing the behavior of monozygotic versus dizygotic twins
Natural Selection
Inherited traits that allow organisms to survive & reproduce in an environment are the traits most likely to be passed on for generations
Central Nervous System
The Brain & Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Sensory & motor neurons connecting to the central nervous system
Autonomic Nervous System
Controls Involuntary Functions such as heartbeat, digestion, breathing
Sympathetic Nervous System
Controls the fight or flight response; automatically accelerates heart rate, and breathing, dilates pupils, slows digestion
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Controls Rest & Digestion; Automatically slows the body down after a stressful event.
Somatic Nervous System
Controls voluntary functions
Nervous System
The body’s electrochemical communication/messaging system. Consisting of both the peripheral and central nervous systems
Action Potential
When a neuron is active/firing & ions are exchanged -> they become scrambled or depolarized
All-or-nothing Principle
Neurons are binary: They are either off or on, and to become on they need a certain amount of stimuli
Axon
Tail of the Neuron; Carries signals from one end to the other (from soma to the terminal)
Dendrites
The Hair of the Neuron; Hair like extensions that receive signals from other neurons
Depolarization
Glial Cells
Support cells for nerve system-> they provide extra protection & nourishment to neurons (worker b ees to the queen)
Interneurons
Intermediary neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons.
Motor Neurons
Neurons that carry signals away from the CNS to the muscles in order to allow for motion. ( Signals produced in CNS and transported to body by motor neurons)
Multiple Sclerosis
A chronic auto immune disease where the body attack the myelin sheath in nerves in the CNS leading to numbness, weakness, and vision issues
Myasthenia Gravis
A chronic auto immune disease caused by antibodies attacking ACl ( acetylcholine) receptors in the neurotransmitter junction leading to muscle weakness & fatigue in the eyes, face, and throat.
Myelin Sheath
The fatty insular layer around the axon ( tail) of the neuron-> allows for rapid transmission of electrical impulses/ messages
Nerves
A cluster of nerve cells / a cluster of neurons)
Neural Transmission
The process where neurons communicate w/ one another by sending neurotransmitters (chemicals) across the synapse.
Neuron
A nerve cell that transmits sent throughout the body.
Reflex
Involuntary & automatic response to stimulus w/o conscious thought typically to protect the body or maintain balance
Reflex Arc
The neural pathway controlling reflex actions like flinching
Refractory Period
The short time period immediately after the neuron fires where the neuron cannot fire again
Resting Potential
The stable electrical charge across a neuron’s membrane when it isn’t actively sending signals.
Reuptake
The process when a neuron retrieves the leftover neurotransmitters that were released into the synapse after a transmission.
Reuptake Inhibitors
A drug type that prevent the reabsorption of neurotransmitters back into the neuron.
Sensory Neurons
Neurons transmitting sensory information from the environment (sight, sound, taste, smell) to the CNS
Synapse
The tiny gap between two neurons
Soma
The head of the neuron
Threshold
Minimum level of stimulation to trigger sensory responses
Acetylcholine (ACh)
A neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and muscle contraction
Adrenaline
A hormone that activates the sympathetic nervous system. This triggers our “fight or flight” response, which increases heart rate, dilates the pupil, increases blood flow to skeletal muscle, and reduces digestive and reproductive activity.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter involved in mood, movement, attention, and learning.
Endocrine System
The network of glands throughout the body that produce and secrete hormones
Endorphins
GABA
Ghrelin
Glutamate
Hormone
Leptin
Melatonin
Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter
Oxytocin
Serotonin
Substance P
Addiction
Agonists
Alcohol
Antagonists
Caffeine
Cocaine
Depressants
Hallucinogens
Heroin
Marijuana
Opioids
Psychoactive Drugs
Stimulants
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Brain Stem
Cerebellum
Medulla Oblongata
Pons
A part of the brain stem located between the midbrain and medulla oblongata. CONTROLS ; sleep breathing, taste, facial sensations, and coordinates movement w/ cerebellum
Reticular Formation
Amygdala
Hippocampus
LImbic System
Pituitary Gland
Reward Center
Thalamus
Association Areas
Broca’s Area
Area in brain responsible for speech production ( muscles)
Cerebral Cortex
Cerebrum
Executive Functioning
Frontal Lobes
Motor Cortex
Occipital Lobes
Parietal Lobes
Prefrontal Cortex
Somatosensory Cortex
Temporal Lobes
Wernicke’s Area
Aphasia
Aphasia- Broca’s
Aphasia- Wernicke’s
Contralateral Control
Corpus Callosum
EEG
fMRI
Hemispheric Specialization
Lesion
MRI
Plasticity
Split Brain Research
Activation-Synthesis
Circadian Rhythm
Consciousness
Consolidation Theory
Dream
Hypnagogic Sensations
Insomnia
Jet Lag
Narcolepsy
NREM
NREM Stages 1-4
REM behavior disorder
REM Rebound
REM SLeep
Shift Work
Sleep
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Hygiene
Sleep Spindles
Somnambulism
Absolute Threshold
Amplutide
Difference Threshold
Intensity
Just-Noticeable Difference
Sensation
Sensory Adaptation
Sensory Interaction
Synesthesia
Transduction
Wavelegnth
Weber’s Law
Ganglion Cells
Lens
Monochromatism
Nearsightedness
Opponent-Process Theory
Optic Nerve
Photoreceptors
Prosopagnosia
Retina
Ro
Rods
Trichromatic Theory
Pitch
Place Theory
Semicircular Canals
Sensorineural Deafness
Sound Localization
Accommodation
Afterimages
Blind Spot
Blindsight
Cones
Dichromatism
Farsightedness
Audition
Basilar Membrane
Cochlea
Conduction Deafness
Frequency
Frequency Theory
Middle Ear
Inner Ear
The innermost part of the ear responsible for hearing and balance maintenance through conversion of sound vibrations into neural signals. Contains the cochlea & semicircular canals.
Gate Control Theory
The theory explaining pain perception through suggesting a “gate” in the spinal cord controls whether or not pain signals reach the brain, dictates that non-painful stimuli is able to close the gate while reducing painful sensations
Gustation
The sense responsible for taste allowing flavors to be perceived through taste buds on the tongue (including umami-> savory)
Kinesthesis
The sense that provides information about the position and movement of the limbs allowing for coordinating motions & movement
Oleogustus
Olfactory System
Sensory system responsible for the sense of smell. Includes the olfactory receptors in the nose, the olfactory bulb in the brain and the neural pathways in charge of processing smell
Phantom Limb
The phenomenon of amputees feeling pain or sensation in a limb that is no longer present
Pheromones
Chemicals secreted by organisms triggering specific social responses in other members of the same species
Supertasters
Individuals with heightened senses of taste typically in regards to bitter flavors this caused by having a largely greater quantity of taste buds giving flavors higher intensity
Taste Receptors
Specialized sensory cells located w/in taste buds allowing the tongue to detect & transmit sensory information about various tastes ( sweet, bitter, spice, salt, & umami)
Vestibular Sense
The sensory system allowing us to have a sense of balance and spatial orientation.
Volley Theory
The principle stating that neurons in the auditory system fire in rapid succession ( making a volley of signals) this allows the brain to perceive higher frequency sounds that register too fast for singular neurons
Warm & Cold Receptors ( Temperature Sense)
AKA; Thermoreceptors-> Nerve cells w/in the skin that detect changes in temperature allowing ppl to feel the difference between warm & cold
