Unit 2 Vocab Flashcards
(29 cards)
Action potential
A short lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls; following a consistent trajectory
Adoption studies
Are one form of clinical genetic study designed to evaluate genetic and environmental influences on phenotype.
Agonist
A chemical that binds a receptor and activates the receptor to produce a biological response.
Antagonist
Is a type of receptor ligand or drug that blocks or dampens agonist- mediated responses rather than provoking a biological response itself upon binding to a receptor
Behavioral genetics
Which variation among individuals is separated into genetic versus environmental components
Blood brain barrier
A filtering mechanism of the capillaries that carry blood to the brain and the spinal cord tissue, blocking the passage of certain substances
Cerebrospinal fluid
Clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spine. It is produced in the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain
Chromosomes
Are the thread like structures located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells.
Critical period
A particular skill or characteristic is believed to be most readily acquired
Dual processing
Provides an account of how a phenomenon can occur in two different ways. An implicit, unconscious process and an explicit, conscious process
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Test to help diagnose epilepsy. It records the electrical activity of the brain
Family studies
Offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the well being and healthy development of individuals and families over their life span
Genes
Basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Made up of DNA, act as instructions to make proteins
Glial cells
Are non neural cells that maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and provide support and protection for neurons in central nervous system and peripheral nervous systems
Heritability
Statistics used in breeding and genetics works that estimates how much of the genetic diversity of a phenotypic trait in a population is due to genetic differences in that population
Molecular genetics
Biology and genetics that studies the structures and function of genes at a molecular level
Mutation
Permanent change to the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA or other genetic developments
Natural selection
Differential survival and reproduction of individuals that differ in phenotype. It is a key mechanism of evolution
Phenotype
Is the composite of an organisms observable characteristic, such as morphology, development, biochemical
Reuptake
The absorption by a preys attic nerve ending of a neurotransmitter that it has secreted
Split brain surgery
A corpus calloscotomy, is a drastic way of alleviating epileptic seizures, the occurs de of sporadic electrical storms in the brain
Synaptic cleft
One neuron releases neurotransmitter molecules into a small space (the synaptic cleft) that is adjacent to another neuron
Threshold
The magnitude or intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, result, or condition to occur
Twin studies
Allow researchers to examine the overall role of genes on the development of a trait or disorder
