Chapter 3 Biopsychology Flashcards
(67 cards)
What does biopsychology explore?
Explore the mechanisms that underlie behavior
What are the 3 things that biopsychology study?
- genetics
- nervous system
- endocrine system
What is the theory of evolution?
concept of inheritance of traits throughout generations in this theory of evolution through natural selection
What is genotype?
Genetic makeup of an individual based on the genetic material (DNA
What is phenotype?
Describe an individual’s observable characteristics
What are the 3 types of gene environment interactions?
- range of reaction
- genetic environmental correlation
- epigenetics
What is the range of reaction?
asserts our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment interacts with the genes to determine where in the range we will fall
What is genetic environmental correlation?
view of gene-environment interaction that asserts our genes affect our environment and our environment influences the expression of our genes
What are epigenetics?
Study of gene-environment interactions such as how the same genotype leads to different phenotypes
What is the axon of a neuron covered in?
Myelin sheath
Which part of the neuron receives new info/signals?
Dendrite
Which part of the neuron sends out signals from the neuron?
Axons
What is the space b/w two neurons called?
Synaptic cleft
What chemical messengers is being transported in the synaptic cleft?
neurotransmitters
What is an action potential?
An electrical signal
What happens for an action potential to be fired? (5)
- Depolarization - neuron’s membrane potential becomes less negative in which it’s likely to fire (excitation)
- Threshold of excitation - the neuron’s level of charge gets it to become active
- The action potential happens
- Repolarization: Neuron slowly becomes more negative
- Hyperpolarization - Neuron’s membrane potential is so more negative so that the neuron is less likely to fire (inhibition)
What happens after an action potential has occured?
Excess neurotransmitters in the synapse either leave, are broken down, or reabsorbed back into the axon terminal (reuptake)
What are 5 types of neurotransmitters?
- acetylcholine
- beta endorphin
- dopamine
- norepinephrine
- serotonin
what does acetylcholine help with?
muscle action and memory
What does beta endorphin help with?
pain and pleasure
What does dopamine help with?
mood, sleep, and learning
What does norepinephrine help with?
heart, intestines, and alertness
What does serotonin help with?
mood and sleep
What does psychotropic medication help with?
Drugs that help to treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance