psych ch 3 Flashcards
(52 cards)
Genes
the basic units of heredity, genes are responsible for guiding the process of creating the proteins that make up our physical structures and regulate development and physiological processes throughout the lifespan
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
a molecule formed in a double-helix shape that contains four nucleotides: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine
Genotype
the genetic makeup of an organisation–the unique set of genes that comprises that individuals genetic code
Phenotype
the physical traits and behavioural characteristics that show genetic variation, such as eye colour, the shape and size of facial features, intelligence, and personality
chromosomes
structures in the cellular nucleus that are lined with all of the genes an individual inherits
Homozygous
if two corresponding genes at a given location on a pair of chromosomes are the same
Heterozygous
if two corresponding genes at a given location on a pair of chromosomes are the differ
Monozygotic twins
come from a single ovum (egg), which makes them essentially identical (approx 100% in common genes)
Dizygotic twins
come from two separate eggs fertilised by two different sperm cells that share the same womb; these twins have appro 50% of their genes in common
Longitudinal studies
studies that follow the same individuals for many years, often decades
Heritability
a statistic expressed as a number between zero and one, that represents the degree to which genetic differences among individuals contribute to individuals differences in a behaviour or trait found in a population
Epigenetics
changes in gene expression that occur as a result of experience and that do not alter the genetic code
Altering Genes:
CRISPR-Cas9
a technique that allows genetic material to be removed, added, or altered in specific locations of the genome
Natural selection (Darwin)
the process by which favourable traits become increasingly common in a population of interbreeding individuals, while traits are unfavourable become less common
Evolutionary psychology
attempts to explain human behaviours based on the beneficial function they may have served in our species evolutionary history
Neurons
one of the major types of cells found in the nervous system, which are responsible for sending and receiving messages throughout the body
All neurons have a cell body: the part of a neuron that contains the nucleus that houses the cells genetic material
Dendrites
small branches radiating from the cell body that receive messages from other cells and transmit those messages toward the rest of the cell
Axon
transports information in the form of electrochemical reactions from the cell body to the end of the neuron
Axon terminals
bulb-like extensions filled with vesicles (little bags of molecules)
These vesicles contain Neurotransmitters: the chemicals that function as messengers allowing neurons to communicate with each other
Synaptic cleft: the small space between the axon terminal and dendrite.
Glial cells
specialised cells of the nervous system that are involved in mounting immune responses in the brain, removing waste, and synchronising the activity of the billions of neurons that constitute the nervous system
Myelin
a fatty sheath that insulates axons from one another, resulting in increased speed and efficiency of neural communication
Multiple sclerosis
a disease in which the immune system does not recognize myelin and attacks it
Action potential
a wave of electrical activity that originates at the beginning of the axon near the cell body and rapidly travels down its lengths
Resting potential
the relatively stable state during which the cell is not transmitting messages
