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PSYC 1200 > Chapter 3 > Flashcards

Chapter 3 Flashcards

1
Q

Genes

A

The basic units of heredity; responsible for guiding the process of creating the proteins that make up our physical structures and regulate development and physiological processes throughout the lifespan

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2
Q

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

A

Molecule formed in a double-helix shape that contains four nucleotides: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine

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3
Q

Genotype

A

The genetic makeup of an organism - unique set of genes compromising that individual’s genetic code

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4
Q

Phenotype

A

The physical traits and behavioural characteristics that show genetic variation, such as eye colour, the shape and size of facial features, intelligence, and personality

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5
Q

Chromosomes

A

Structures in the cellular nucleus that lines with all of the genes an individual inherits

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6
Q

Behavioural Genomics

A

Study of DNA and the ways in which specific genes are related to behaviour

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7
Q

The Human Genome Project

A

Provided a complete list of genes found in humans and their distribution on human chromosomes

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8
Q

Behavioural Genetics

A

The study of how genes and the environment influence behaviour

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9
Q

Longitudinal Studies

A

Studied that follow the same individuals for many years, often decades

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10
Q

Heritability

A

A statistic, expressed as a number between zero and one, that represents the degree to which genetic differences between individuals contribute to individual differences in a behaviour or trait found in a population

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11
Q

Epigenetics

A

Changes in gene expression that occur as a result of experience and that do not alter the genetic code

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12
Q

Natural Selection

A

Changes in gene expression that occur as a result of experience and don’t alter the genetic code

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13
Q

Evolution

A

The change in frequency of genes occurring in an interbreeding population over generations

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14
Q

Evolutionary Psychology

A

Attempts to explain human behaviours based on the beneficial functions they may have served in our species development

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15
Q

Hunter Gatherer Theory

A

Links performance on specific tasks to the different roles performed by males and females over the course of our evolutionary history

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16
Q

Intrasexual Selection

A

A situation in which members of the same sex compete in order to win the opportunity to mate with members of the opposite sex

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17
Q

Intersexual Selection

A

Members of one sex select a mating partner based on their desirable traits

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18
Q

Neurogenesis

A

The formation of new neurons

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19
Q

Stem Cells

A

A unique type of cell that does not have predestined function

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20
Q

Neurons

A

One of the major types of cells found in the nervous system, that are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body

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21
Q

Cell Body (Soma)

A

The part of a neuron that contains the nucleus that houses the cell’s genetic material

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22
Q

Dendrites

A

Small branches radiating from the cell body that receive messages from other cells and transmit those messages towards the rest of the cell

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23
Q

Axon

A

Transports information in the form of electrochemical reactions from the cell body to the end of the neuron

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24
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

The chemicals that function as messengers allowing neurons to communicate with each other

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25
Multiple Sclerosis
Debilitating neurological disorder that produces a range of symptoms
26
Sensory Neurons
Receive information from the bodily senses and bring it toward the brain
27
Motor neurons
Carry messages away from the spinal cord towards the muscle to control flexion and extension
28
Glial Cells
Specialized cells of the nervous system removing waste, and synchronizing the activity of the billions of neurons that constitute the nervous system
29
Myelin
A fatty sheath that insulates axons from one another, resulting in increased speed and efficiency of neural communication
30
Resting Potential
Relatively stable state during which the cell is not transmitting messages
31
Electrostatic Gradient
The inside and outside of the cell have different charges
32
Concentration Gradient
Just means that different types of ions are more densley packed on one side of the membrane than the other
33
Ion channels
Small pores
34
Action Potential
A wave of electrical activity that originates at the beginning of the axon near the cell body and rapidly travels down its length
35
Hyperpolarized
The cell is more negative than its normal resting potential
36
Refractory period
Brief period in which neuron cannot fire
37
Synapses
The microscopically small space that separate individual nerve cells
38
Presynaptic Cell
The cell that releases the chemicals
39
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Increase the chances that the postynaptic neuron will fire by causing the charge inside the neuron to be less negative
40
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
Decrease the chance that the postynaptic neuron will fire by causing the charge inside the neuron to be more negative
41
All or none principle
Individual nerve cells fire at the same strength every time an action potential occurs
42
Presynaptic Neuron
Releases neurotransmitters into the synapse; which will bind o receptors on the postsynaptic neuron and can have one of 2 effects on the post synaptic cell
43
Synaptic Cleft
The minute space between the axon terminal (terminal button) and the dendrite
44
Reuptake
Process whereby neurotransmitter molecules that have been released into the synapse are reabsorbed into the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron
45
Glutamate
The most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brains of vertebrates
46
GABA Gamma Amino butyric acid
Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the nervous system, meaning that it prevents neurons from generating action potentials
47
Acetycholine
One of the most widespread neurotransmitters within the body, found at the junctions between nerve cells and skeletal muscles; its very important for voluntary movement
48
Neuromuscular Junction
Change in electrical properties of the muscle fibres leading to a contraction of that muscle
49
Monoamines
Group of brain chemicals
50
Dopamine
Monoamine neurotransmitter involved in such varied functions as mood, control of voluntary movement and processing of rewarding experiences
51
Norepinephrine
Monoamine synthesized from dopamine molecules that is involved in regulating stress responses, including increasing arousal, attention, and heart rate
52
Epinephrine
Hormone and neurotransmitter created in the adrenal gland on the kidneys
53
Serotonin
Monoamine involved in regulating mood, sleep, aggression, and appetite
54
Agonists
Drugs that enhance or mimic the effects of a neurotransmitter's action
55
Direct Agonist
Physically binds to neurotransmitters receptors at post synaptic cells
56
Indirect Agonist
Facilitates the effects of a neurotransmitter but doesn't physically bind to the same part of the receptor as the neurotransmitter
57
Antagonists
Inhibit neurotransmitter activity by blocking receptors or preventing synthesis of a neurotransmitter E.G Botox
58
Hormones
Chemicals secreted by the glands of the endocrine syste,
59
Homeostasis
The balance of energy, metabolism, body temperature and other basic functions that keeps the body working properly
60
Hypothalamus
Brain structure; regulates basic biological needs and motivational systems
61
Pituitary Gland
Master gland of the endocrine system that produces hromones and sends commands about hormone production to the other glands of the endocrine system
62
Adrenal Glands
A pair of endocrine glands located adjacent to the kidneys that release stress hormones, (cortisol and epinephrine)
63
Endorphin
Produced by endocrine system; functions to reduce pain and induce feelings of pleasure
64
Morphine
Binds to endorphin receptors
65
Testosterone
Driving physical and sexual development over the long term
66
Central nervous System
The brain and spinal cord
67
Peripheral nervous system
Transmits signals between the brain and rest of the body and is divided into 2 subcaomponents (somatic and Autonomic)
68
Somatic Nervous System
Nerves that control skeletal muscles, which are responsible for voluntary and reflexive movement; consisting of nerves that receive sensory input from the body
69
Autonomic Nervous System
Portion of peripheral nervous system responsible for regulating the activity of organs and glands
70
Sympathetic Nervous System
Fight or flight response
71
Parasympathetic nervous System
Helps maintain homeostatic balance in presence of change; following sympathetic arousal
72
3 Main Regions of the brain
Hindbrain - Stem or bottom of brain consisting of 2 structures: medulla and pons Midbrain - Primarily functions as relay station between sensory and motor areas Forebrain - Visible region of brain, has all neutral structures located above mid brain
73
Basa Ganglia
Group of 3 structures that're involved in facilitating planned movements, skill learning, and itegrating sensory and movement information with the brain's reward system
74
Nucleus Accumbens
Activity accompanies many kinds of pleasurable experiences
75
Limbic System
Integrated network involved in emotion and memory
76
Amygdala
Felicitates memory formation for emotional events, mediates fear responses, and plays role in recognizing and interpreting emotional stimuli
77
Hippocampus
Critical for learning and memory, particularly formation of new memories
78
Thalamus
Set of nuclei involved in relaying sensory information to different regions of the brain
79
Cerebral Cortex
The convoluted, wrinkled. outer later of brain that is involved in multiple higher functions (thought, language, personality)
80
4 Lobes
1. Occipital Lobes visual information 2. Parietal Lobes - Touch and awareness 3. Temporal Lobes - Identity (hearing, language..) 4. Frontal Lobes - Planning
81
Occipital Lobes
where visual information is processed
82
Parietal Lobes
Experience of touch and bodily awareness
83
Temporal
Identity information Auditory Cortex - Top part of temporal Cortex Cortical Deafness - Problems with hearing even though ears work perfectly Wernicke's area - understanding language
84
Frontal Lobes
Planning and regulating impulses and emotions, voluntary movement Primary Motor cortex - voluntary movement Prefrontal Cortex - 2/3 of frontal lobes Executive Functions - Control processes
85
Corpus Callosum
Collection of neural fibres connecting at the 2 brain hemispheres
86
Hemispheric Specialization
Cognitive tasks that involve visual and spatial skills
87
Left and Right brain
Left: - Language production - Language comprehension - Word Recognition - Arithmetic Right: - Visuospatial skills - Prosody - face recognition - Attention
88
Neuroplasticity
Capacity of brain to change and rewire itself based on individual experience
89
Lesioning
Area of the brain is damages
90
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Electromagnetic pulse is delivered to target region of the brain
91
Structural Neuroimaging
Brain scanning that produces images of the different structures of the brain
92
Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)
x-rays are sent through brain by tube that rotates around the head
93
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Clear images of brain are created based on how different neural regions absorb and release energy while in magnetic field
94
Diffuse Tensor Imaging (DTI)
Form of structural neuroimaging allowing researches or medical personnel to measure white-matter pathways in the brain
95
Functional Neuroimaging
Type of brain scanning that provides information about which areas of the brain are active when a person performs particular behavior
96
Temporal Resoultion
How a brief period of time can be measured
97
Spatial Resolution
Clear picture of brain
98
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Measure brain activity with use of multiple electrodes attached to scalp
99
Event Related Potentials
Use same sensors as EEG
100
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
Measures tiny magnetic fields created by electrical activity of nerve cells in brain
101
Position Emission Tomography (PET)
Low levels of radioactive isotope is injected into blood, and its movement to regions of the brain engage in particular task is measures
102
Functional Magnetic Resonance imaging (fMRI)
Detects influx of oxygen-rich blood into neural areas that were just active

PSYC 1200 (8 decks)

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