Unit 1a: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards
Heredity
- nature
- transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to offspring through their genes.
Environment
- nurture
- influence of factors such as upbringing, environment, culture, and personal experiences.
nature
DNA/Genes
nurture
Enviornment
Genetic Predisposition
an increased likelihood of developing a trait or disorder based on genetic makeup.
Evolutionary Perspective
explains psychological traits and behaviors are shaped by natural selection
Natural Selection
the idea that people with traits that better suit their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Eugenics
-now-discredited practice
-involves selective breeding of humans to improve their genetic composition and reduce the impact of heredity disease.
Family Studies
studies that decide whether a disease “runs in the family”
Twin Studies
studies where monozygotic and dizygotic(womb mates) are studied
Adoption Studies
studies where the behaviors and traits of adopted children are compared to their biological parents and adaptive parents.
Central Nervous System
-the brain and spinal core
-makes decisions
Peripheral Nervous System
-conducts information
-sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
Somatic Nervous System (PNS)
-voluntary functions
-controls the body’s skeletal muscles
-transmits sensory information
Autonomic Nervous System (PNS)
-involuntary functions
- ex. heart rate, breathing, etc.
Sympathetic Nervous System (ANS)
- arouses
- mobilizes the body in times of stress
- fight or flight response
- may cause burnout if independently working
Parasympathetic nervous system (ANS)
- calm
- maintaining homeostasis
Glial Cells
-nonneuronal cells
-provide support to neuron cells
Reflex Arc
sensory neurons detect a stimulus—> interneuron processes information –> motor neurons produce response
Sensory Neurons
information goes to CNS
motor neurons
information comes from the CNS to the body
interneurons
middle man that thinks
(brain is mostly made up of this)
Neural Transmission
the ways neurons comunicate with each other
threshold
level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential in a neuron
resting potential
- no firing
-not flushing the toilet
-inside of the neuron had more negative ions than the outside
Action Potential
- firing
-flushing the toilet
-electrical signal travels down the axon to transmit information
Refractory Period
-has fired
-after flushing the toilet
- cannot fire again
- neuron returns to its polarized state
Depolarization
-neuron’s membrane become more positive
-may lead to action potential if the threshold is reached.
All or Nothing Principle
-neuron fires completey or doesn’t fire at all
Synapse
the axon terminally ALMOST touches another neuron