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23 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Applied Psychology
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The branch of psychology concerned with everyday, practical problems.
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Behavior
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Any overt (observable) response or activity by an organism.
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Absolute refractory period
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The minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin.
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Action potential
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A brief change in a neuronUs electrical charge.
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Adoption studies
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Research studies that assess hereditary influence by examining the resemblance between adopted children and both their biological and their adoptive parents.
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Adaptation
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An inherited characteristic that increased in a population (through natural selection) because it helped solve a problem of survival or reproduction during the time it emerged.
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Afferent nerve fibers
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Axons that carry information inward to the central nervous system from the periphery of the body.
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Agonist
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A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.
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Antagonist
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A chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter.
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Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
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The system of nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands.
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Axon
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A long, thin fiber that transmits signals away from the neuron cell body to other neurons, or to muscles or glands.
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Central nervous system (CNS)
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The brain and the spinal cord.
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Cerebral cortex
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The convoluted outer layer of the cerebrum.
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Chromosomes
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Threadlike strands of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules that carry genetic information.
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Critical period
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A limited time span in the development of an organism when it is optimal for certain capacities to emerge because the organism is especially responsive to certain experiences.
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Efferent nerve fibers
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Axons that carry information outward from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body.
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Endocrine system
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A group of glands that secrete chemicals into the bloodstream that help control bodily functioning.
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Endorphins
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The entire family of internally produced chemicals that resemble opiates in structure and effects.
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Family studies
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Scientific studies in which researchers assess hereditary influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble each other on a specific trait.
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Genes
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DNA segments that serve as the key functional units in hereditary transmission.
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Hindbrain
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The part of the brain that includes the cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of the brainstem: the medulla and the pons.
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Hormones
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The chemical substances released by the endocrine glands.
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Hypothalamus
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A structure found near the base of the forebrain that is involved in the regulation of basic biological needs.
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