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PSYC 250 > chapter 3: biology and behavior > Flashcards

chapter 3: biology and behavior Flashcards

(52 cards)

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1
Q

genome

A

the complete set of DNA of any organism, including all of its genes

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2
Q

genotype

A

the genetic material an individual inherits

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3
Q

phenotype

A

the observable expression of the genotype, including both body characteristics and behavior

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4
Q

environment

A

every aspect of individuals and their surroundings other than genes

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5
Q

chromosomes

A

molecules of DNA that transmit genetic information; chromosomes are made up of DNA

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6
Q

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

A

molecules that carry all the biochemical instructions involved in the formation and functioning of an organism

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7
Q

genes

A

sections of chromosomes that are the basic unit of heredity in all living things

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8
Q

crossing over

A

the process by which sections of DNA switch from one chromosome to the other; crossing over promotes variability among individuals

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9
Q

mutation

A

a change in a section of DNA

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10
Q

sex chromosomes

A

the chromosomes (X and Y) that determine an individual’s designated sex at birth

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11
Q

endophenotypes

A

intermediate phenotypes, including the brain and nervous systems, that do not involve overt behavior

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12
Q

regulator genes

A

genes that control the activity of other genes

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13
Q

alleles

A

two or more different forms of a gene

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14
Q

dominant allele

A

the allele that, if present, gets expressed

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15
Q

recessive allele

A

the allele that is not expressed if a dominant allele is present

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16
Q

homozygous

A

having two of the same allele for a trait

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17
Q

heterozygous

A

having two different alleles for a trait

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18
Q

polygenic inheritance

A

inheritance pattern in which traits are governed by more than one gene

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19
Q

phenylketonuria (PKU)

A

a disorder related to a defective recessive gene on chromosome 12 that prevents metabolism of the amino acid phenylalanine

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20
Q

carrier genetic testing

A

genetic testing used to determine whether prospective parents are carriers of specific disorders

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21
Q

prenatal testing

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A

genetic testing used to assess the fetus’ risk for genetic disorders

22
Q

newborn screening

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A

tests used to screen newborn infants for a range of genetic and non-genetic disorders

23
Q

epigenetics

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A

the study of stable changes in gene expression that are mediated by the environment

24
Q

behavior genetics

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A

the science concerned with how variation in behavior and development results from the combination of genetic and environmental factors

25
heritable
refers to characteristics or traits that are genetically transmitted
26
heritability
a statistical estimate of the proportion of the measured variance on a trait among individuals in a given population that is attributable to genetic differences among those individuals
27
neurons
cells that are specialized for sending and receiving messages between the brain and all parts of the body, as well as within the brain itself
28
cell body
a component of the neuron that contains the basic biological material that keeps the neuron functioning
29
dendrites
neural fibers that receive input from other cells and conduct it toward the cell body in the form of electrical impulses
30
axons
neural fibers that conduct electrical signals away from the cell body to connections with other neurons
31
synapses
microscopic junctions between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendritic branches or cell body of another
32
glial cells
cells in the brain that provide a variety of critical supportive functions
33
myelin sheath
a fatty sheath that forms around certain axons in the body and increases the speed and efficiency of information transmission
34
cerebral cortex
the "gray matter" of the brain, consisting of four distinct lobes
35
occipital lobe
major area of the cortex that is primarily involved in processing visual information
36
temporal lobe
major area of the cortex that is associated with speech and language, music, and emotional information
37
parietal lobe
major area of the cortex that is associated with spatial processing and sensory information integration
38
frontal lobe
major area of the cortex that is associated with working memory and cognitive control
39
association areas
parts of the brain that lie between the major sensory and motor areas and that process and integrate input from those areas
40
cerebral hemispheres
the two halves of the cortex
41
corpus callosum
a dense tract of nerve fibers that enable the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate
42
cerebral lateralization
the specialization of the hemispheres of the brain for different modes of processing
43
neurogenesis
the proliferation of neurons through cell division
44
arborization
formation of new dendritic trees and branches
45
spines
formations on the dendrites of neurons that increase the dendrites' capacity to form connections with other neurons
46
myelination
the formation of myelin (a fatty sheath) around the axons of neurons that speeds and increases information-processing abilities
47
synaptogenesis
the process by which neurons form synapses with other neurons, resulting in trillions of connections
48
synaptic pruning
the normal developmental process through which synapses that are rarely activated are eliminated
49
plasticity
the capacity of the brain to be affected by experience
50
experience-expectant plasticity
the process through which the normal wiring of the brain occurs in part as a result of species-typical experiences
51
experience-dependent plasticity
the process through which neural connections are created and reorganized throughout life as a function of an individual's experiences
52
secular trends
marked changes in physical development that have occurred over generations

PSYC 250 (14 decks)

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