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Psychology > Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior > Flashcards

Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

Epigenetics

A

Study of environmental factors that affect how our genes are expressed. (The influences gene expression that occurs without changes in DNA.)

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2
Q

Molecular behavior genetics

A

Study of how the structure and function of specific genes interact with our environment to influence behavior.

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3
Q

Behavior genetics

A

Study of the relative effects of our genes and our environment on our behavior.

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4
Q

Chromosomes

A

The threadlike coils of DNA.

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5
Q

Behavior geneticists

A

Seek to quantify genetics.

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6
Q

Environmental influences

A

Influences on our traits. Most of our differing traits are influenced by not one gene, but many, and by the interaction of our individual environments with these genetic predispositions.

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7
Q

Heritability

A

Describes the extent to which variation among members of a group can be attributed to genes.

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8
Q

Dendrites

A

Structures on the neuron that receive the electrical messages, both in their excitatory and inhibitory form.

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9
Q

Axon

A

a long, slender projection of a nerve cell or neuron that typically conducts electrical impulses.

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10
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

An insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty substances. This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along with the nerve cells.

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11
Q

Glial cells

A

A supportive cell in the central nervous system. Unlike neurons, glial cells do not conduct electrical impulses. provide physical and metabolic support to neurons, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport

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12
Q

Threshold

A

The minimum amount of stimulation needed to start a neural impulse (you know, the electrical impulses that travel throughout your body

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13
Q

Action potential

A

Allows a nerve cell to transmit an electrical signal down the axon toward other cells.
The principal ions involved in an action potential are sodium and potassium

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14
Q

Refractory period

A

A “resting period.” The period of time during which the response to a second stimulus is significantly slowed because a first stimulus is still being processed.

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15
Q

Synapse

A

The point at which a nervous impulse passes from one neuron to another.

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16
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

are chemical messengers in the nervous system. They influence mood, muscle movement, heart rate, and many other functions.

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17
Q

Reuptake

A

The reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by a neurotransmitter transporter located along the plasma membrane of an axon terminal or glial cell

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18
Q

Endorphins

A

act as analgesics, which means they diminish the perception of pain. They also act as sedatives(depressant or a sleeping pill). They are manufactured in your brain.

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19
Q

Soma

A

Receives information from dendrites and if enough stimulation is received then the message is passed to the axon

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20
Q

Terminal Buttons of Axons

A

Form junctions with other cells and release chemicals called neurotransmitters

21
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Its function is motor movement and maybe memory.
Enables muscle action.
Lack of ACH has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

22
Q

Dopamine

A

Its function is motor movement and alertness.
Too little -Parkinson’s disease.
Too much-schizophrenia.

23
Q

PET scan

A

an imaging test that allows your doctor to check for diseases in your body. The scan uses a special dye containing radioactive tracers. These tracers are either swallowed, inhaled, or injected into a vein in your arm depending on what part of the body is being examined.

24
Q

Serotonin

A

mood control.

Lack of serotonin has been linked to depression.

25
Q

Norepinephrine

A

Also deals with depression.
It’s like adrenaline.
A naturally occurring chemical in the body that acts as both a stress hormone and neurotransmitter (a substance that sends signals between nerve cells). It’s released into the blood as a stress hormone when the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred.

26
Q

Endorphins

A

PAIN control.

OPIATES (meth, heroin, oxycontin, oxycodone, etc) act as agonists for endorphins, causing you to get high

27
Q

Agonists

A

Mimic (impersonate, increase) neurotransmitters.

28
Q

Antagonists

A

Block (decrease) neurotransmitters.

29
Q

Sensory Neurons

Afferent Neurons

A

Take information from the senses to the brain.

30
Q

Motor Neurons

Efferent Neurons

A

Take information from the brain to the rest of the body.

31
Q

Interneurons

A

A special type of neurons that are ONLY in the Central Nervous System. They allow the neurons in the CNS to communicate with one another.

32
Q

The Endocrine System

A

A system of glands that secrete hormones in the blood.

Similar to the nervous system, except hormones work a lot slower than neurotransmitters.

33
Q

Hypothalamus

A

brain region controlling the pituitary gland.

34
Q

Pituitary gland

A

Secretes many different hormones, some of which affect other glands.

35
Q

Thyroid gland

A

Affects metabolism, among other things.

36
Q

Parathyroids

A

Help regulate the level of calcium in the blood.

37
Q

Adrenal Glands

A

The inner part, called the medulla, helps trigger the “fight or flight” response.

38
Q

Pancreas

A

Regulates the level of sugar in the blood.

39
Q

Ovary

A

Secretes female sex hormones.

40
Q

Testis

A

Secretes male sex hormones.

41
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

predominates in quiet “rest and digest” conditions opposite of the sympathetic nervous system.

42
Q

Central nervous system

A

Controls most functions of the body and mind. It consists of two parts: the brain and the spinal cord.

43
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Carries motor and sensory signals to and from the central nervous system.

44
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

The part of the nervous system responsible for the control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.

45
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

The sympathetic nervous system directs the body’s rapid involuntary response to dangerous or stressful situations. Regulates the “fight or flight” response.
Opposite of Parasympathetic nervous system.

46
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

the space that separates a neuron and its target cell at a chemical synapse.

47
Q

The peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

is comprised of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems

48
Q

The Epigenome

A

Is made up of chemical compounds and proteins that attach to DNA and turn genes on or off, controlling the production of proteins in particular cells

Psychology (8 decks)

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