Unit 1 Flashcards
(172 cards)
Nature
Heredity: DNA, Chromosomes, inherited brain chemistry
Nurture
Environmental factors: family interactions, where you live, education, diet, pregnancy
Genetic Predisposition
Increased likelihood of developing a disease based on genetic makeup
Evolutionary Perspective
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of natural selection
Natural Selection
Inherited traits that enable an organism to survive, survival of the fittest
Eugenics
Pseudoscientific view that the genetic makeup of the population can be improved by selective breeding, preventing reproduction by people with various ability
Twin Studies
Identical twins separated at birth can determine impact of nurture, fraternal twins raised together can determine differences due to nature
Family Studies
Research conducted among siblings, parents and children can assess evidence for genetic links
Adoption Studies
Investigates relationships among genetic and environmental factors in the development
- Parent - child pairs
Nervous System Breakdown
Central Branch and Peripheral Branch
Central Nervous System
Brian and spinal cord
- brain: command center
- spinal cord: sends messages to and from the brain (handles fast reflexes)
Peripheral System Breakdown
Somatic and Autonomic Systems
Somatic System
- Carries motor messages from brain to skeletal muscles (motor efferent neurons)
- Messages to brain from sense organs (sensory afferent neurons)
Autonomic System
Controls glands and muscles of internal organs
- Breathing
- Pupil dilation
- heart beat
- digestion
Autonomic System Breakdown
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic systems
Sympathetic system
flight or flight
Parasympathetic system
rest and digest
- returns body to homeostasis
Neurons
Transmits information
- sensory
- motor
- interneurons
(like a queen bee, cannot feed or protect themselves)
Glial Cells
structure, insulation, communication, waste transportation (like worker bees, provide structure)
Ex: Schwann cells
Reflex Arc
Simple automatic response to sensory stimulus BEFORE stimulus reaches the brain
Neural transmission
the transfer of info between 2 neurons
Communication used by neurons
electrochemical signals transmitters at the synapse
- either excite or inhibit neuron from firing action potential
communication used WITHIN neurons
electrical signals, action potentials
- send info from cell body to axon terminals
Resting potential
Neuron at rest, inside of neuron membrane is negatively charged compared to the outside