CHAPTER 2 Vocab (E-N)

Question 1

Scientific studies in which researchers assess heredity influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble each other on a specific trait

Answer 1

Family studies

Question 2

A physiological reaction to threat in which the autonomic nervous mobilizes the organism for attacking (fight) flee (flight) an enemy

Answer 2

Fight-or-Flight response

Question 3

The reproductive success of an individual organism relative to the average reproductive success of the population

Answer 3

Fitness

Question 4

The largest and most complicated region of the brain encompassing a variety of structures, including the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum

Answer 4

Forebrain

Question 5

Twins that result when two eggs are fertilized simultaneously by different, forming two separate zygotes

Answer 5

Fraternal twins

Question 6

DNA segments that serve as the key functional units in hereditary transmission

Answer 6

Genes

Question 7

The process of determining the location and chemical sequence of specific genes on specific chromosomes

Answer 7

Genetic mapping

Question 8

A person’s genetic makeup

Answer 8

Genotype

Question 9

The situation that occurs when two genes in a specific pair are different

Answer 9

Heterozygous condition

Question 10

The part of the brain that includes the cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of the brainstem; the medulla and the pons

Answer 10

Hindbrain

Question 11

The situation that occurs when two genes in a specific pair of the same

Answer 11

Homozygous condition

Question 12

The chemical substances released by the endocrine glands

Answer 12

Hormones

Question 13

A structure found near the base of the forebrain that is involved in the regulation of basic biological needs

Answer 13

Hypothalamus

Question 14

twins that emerge from one zygote that splits for unknown reasons

Answer 14

Identical twins

Question 15

The sum of an individual’s own reproductive success plus the effects the organism has on the reproductive success of related others

Answer 15

Inclusive fitness

Question 16

An electric potential that decreases the likelihood that a postsynapticc neuron will fire action potentials

Answer 16

Inhibitory PSP

Question 17

A relatively durable change in behavior or knowledge that is due to experience

Answer 17

Learning

Question 18

Destroying a piece of the brain

Answer 18

Lesioning

Question 19

A densely connected network of structures roughly located along the border between the cerebral cortex and deeper subcortical areas

Answer 19

Limbic system

Question 20

the segment of the brain stem that lies between the hindbrain and the forebrain

Answer 20

Midbrain

Question 21

A mating system in which one male and female mate exclusively, or almost exclusively, with each other

Answer 21

Monogamy

Question 22

A spontaneous, heritable change in a piece of DNA that occurs in the individual organism

Answer 22

Mutation

Question 23

Insulating material derived from glial cells that encase some axons of neurons

Answer 23

Myelin sheath

Question 24

Principle stating that heritable characteristics that provide a survival reproductive advantage are more likely than alternative characteristics to be passed on to subsequent generations and thus come to be “selected” over time

Answer 24

Natural selection

Question 25

Bundles of neuron fibers (axons) that are routed together in the peripheral nervous system

Answer 25

Nerves

Question 26

Individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information

Answer 26

Neurons

Question 27

Chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another

Answer 27

Neurotransmitters