Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
Heredity
The passing down of physical or mental characteristics genetically from parents to offspring.
Nature
We are influencedby
genetic inheritance &
other biological factors.
Nurture
Influenced by external
factors after conception;
exposure & experiences
Environment
Every non-genetic influence,
from prenatal nutrition to our
experiences of the people &
things around us
Genetic predisposition
An increased likelihood of
developing a particular
disease based on the
presence of one or more
genetic variants & suggestive
family history.
Natural selection
The principle that the
inherited traits enabling an
organism to survive &
reproduce in a particular
environment will most likely
be passed on to next generation.
Eugenics
The study of how to arrange reproduction within a human population to increase the occurrence of heritable characteristics regarded as desirable.
Family Studies
Provides a way for professionals to further examine the relationship between genetic and mental disorders.
Twin Studies
Studies conducted on identical/fraternal twins
aiming to reveal the importance of environmental and genetic influences.
Adoption studies
Compares a pair of people (adopted child and adoptive parent or adopted child and biological parent) to assess and environmental influences on behavior
Neuron
A nerve cell
Dendrite
Branching extensions that receive messages & conduct impulses toward the cell body.
Cell body
Contains the nucleus and DNA; the cell’s life support center.
Axon
Carries information away from the cell body toward the other cells.
Myelin sheath
Fatty layer that insulates and protects the axon.
Axon terminal
Knob like structure that stores neurotransmitters.
Synapse
Space between terminal of one neuron & dendrite of another.
MS
Also known as Multiple Sclerosis, it causes the immune system to attack the myelin sheath, which causes communication problems.
MG
Also known as Myasthenia Gravis, it’s an auto immune disease that affects communication between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle
weakness because of blockage of acH
Glial cells
support cells for the nervous system, providing extra protection and nourishment to neurons
Reflex arc
The connection of the afferent neurons to the interneurons to the efferent neurons resulting in a reflex action.
Sensory neuron
Neurons that carry incoming info from the
sensory receptors in the body to the brain &
spinal cord.
Interneuron
Acts as a middle man between sensory/motor neurons, allowing them to communicate with one another.
Motor neuron
Neurons that carry outgoing info from the brain to the muscles & glands.
Resting potential
The resting state of a neuron when it is not transmitting information/impulses.
Depolarization
The process by which a neuron’s membrane potential becomes less negative, leading to the firing of an action potential.
Action potential
An impulse or brief electrical charge that travels down the axon
All or nothing potential
A neuron either fires (sends a message) or it does not.
Threshold
The level of stimulation require to trigger a neural
impulse.
Refractory period
The recovering time during which another stimulus given to the neuron (no matter how strong) will not lead to a 2nd action potential.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap between neurons that generate the next neural impulse.
Excitatory neurotransmitter
Increase the likelihood that the receiving neuron will produce an action potential.
