CHAPTER 2 Vocab (A-E)

Question 1

A brief change in a neuron electrical charge

Answer 1

Action Potential

Question 2

An inherited characteristic that increased in a population (through natural selection) because it helped solve a problem of survival or reproduction during the time it emerged

Answer 2

Adaptation

Question 3

Research studies that assess hereditary influence by examining the resemblance between adopted children and both their biological and their adoptive parents

Answer 3

Adoption studies

Question 4

Axons that carry information inwards to the central nervous system from the periphery of the body

Answer 4

Afferent nerve fibers

Question 5

A chemical that mimics the actions of a neurotransmitter

Answer 5

Agonist

Question 6

A chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter

Answer 6

Antagonist

Question 7

The system of nerves that connects to the heart blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands

Answer 7

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Question 8

A long, thin fiber that transmits signals away from the neuron cell body to other neurons, or to muscles or glands

Answer 8

Axon

Question 9

Any overt (observable) behavior response or activity by an organism

Answer 9

Behavior

Question 10

An interdisciplinary field that studies the influence of genetic factors on behavioral traits

Answer 10

Behavioral genetics

Question 11

The brain and the spinal cord

Answer 11

Central nervous system (CNS)

Question 12

The convoluted outer layer of the cerebrum

Answer 12

Cerebral cortex

Question 13

The right and left halves of the cerebrum

Answer 13

Cerebral hemispheres

Question 14

A solution that fills the hollow cavities (ventricles) of the brain and circulates around the brain and spinal cord

Answer 14

Cerebrospinal fluid

Question 15

Threadlike strands of DNA and molecules that carry genetic information

Answer 15

Chromosomes

Question 16

The structure that connects the two cerebral hemispheres

Answer 16

Corpus callosum

Question 17

A limited time span in the development of an organism when it is optimal for certain capacities to emerge because the organism is especially responsive to certain experiences

Answer 17

Critical period

Question 18

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information

Answer 18

Dendrites

Question 19

A gene that is expressed when paired genes are heterozygous

Answer 19

Dominant gene

Question 20

Axons that carry information outward from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body

Answer 20

Efferent nerve fibers

Question 21

Sending a weak electric current into a brain structure to stimulate it

Answer 21

Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)

Question 22

A device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp

Answer 22

Electroencephalograph

Question 23

A group of glands that secrete chemicals into the bloodstream that help control bodily functioning

Answer 23

Endocrine system

Question 24

The entire family of internally produced chemicals that resemble opiates in structure and effects

Answer 24

Endorphins

Question 25

Theoretical perspective that examines behavioral processes in terms of their adaptive value for a species over the course of many generations

Answer 25

Evolutionary psychology

Question 26

An electric potential that increases the likelihood that a postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials

Answer 26

Excitatory PSP

Question 27

People who tend to be interested in the external world of people and things

Answer 27

Extroverts