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41 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are genes?
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-segements of DNA
-make up chromosomes -provide instructions to make protein |
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what are dominant genes and recessive genes?
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dominant genes: expressed in offspring whenever they're present
recessive genes: expressed in offspring when matched with similar gene from other parents |
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what is the difference between a genotype and phenotype?
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genotype:genetic make-up
phenotype: physical characteristics |
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how is genotype variation created?
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-half of each chromosome comes from each parent (zygote has unique genotype)
-mutations during cell division (adaptive or maladaptive) |
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what is behavioural genetics?
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studies how genes and the environment interact to influence psychological activity
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what are behavioural genetics methods?
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twins studies: monozygotic(identical twins) vs. dizygotic (fraternal twins)
adoption studies: compares biological relatives+adoptive relatives |
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what is heritability?
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variation+simliarity in a population's shared characteristics (ex. height)
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what is the final expression of genes due to?
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interaction between genetic makeup and environmental context
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What was Caspi's Study?
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-measured which children were mistreated by parents + presenceof MAO genes
-those with low MAO activity were more likely to be convicted of crimes if they have been maltreated CONCLUSION: nature+nurture can work together to affect human behaviour |
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what are gene manipulation techniques?
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used to reduce gene expression or insert genes from one animal to another
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what is the technique of "knocking out" genes?
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-certain genes are removed/disprupted
-interferes with specific function, reveals affect -valuable tool for understanding genetic influences |
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what are neurons?
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basic building blocks of nervous system
-send+recieve chemical messages |
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what are the different types of neurons?
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-sensory (detect physical info +send it to the brain)
-motor (direct muscles to contract/relax) -interneurons (communicate with other neurons) |
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what is the resting membrane potential?
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-when a neuron is resting its inside+outside have different electrical charges (slightly negatively charges)
-sodium+potassium ions pass through membrans and are regulated by sodium channels |
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what is action potential/neural firing?
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results from changes in neuron's electrical charge
-"firing"= communication with networks of neurons |
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what is the all-or-none principle?
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-neurons fire with the same potency every time
-how often it fires depends on strength of stimulation |
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what are excitatory and inhibitory signals?
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excitatoy signal: increases likeliness of neural firing
inhibitory signal: decreases likeliness of neural firing |
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How to neurons communicate? Do they touch?
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they DO NOT TOUCH
-neurons release neurotransmitters into the synapses -neurotransmitters bind with particular receptors of post-synaptic neurons -change charge in these neurons -produce excitatory/inhibatory signal |
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How are neutotransmitter effects stopped?
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REUPTAKE:neurotransmitters taken back into presynaptic neuron
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what are antagonists vs. agonists?
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agonists: increase release of neurotransmitters
antagonists: block release of neurotransmitters (how drugs+toxins alter our actions) |
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what do the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and endophins do?
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dopamine: reward+motivation
serotonin: emotional states+dreaming endorphins: pain reduction |
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what is the difference between the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system?
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central nervous system= spinal cord+brain
peripheral nervous system= all other nerves cells |
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who was Phineas Gage?
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-iron rod thrust into skull in prefrontal cortex
-personality changed drastically -led to first modern theories of prefrontal cotex in personality+self control |
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what is Broca's are of brain important for?
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speech
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where is the brain stem?what does it do?
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base of skull
-basic functions (breathing, walking) |
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What does the cerebellum do?
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controls balance+movement
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hypothalamus
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controls vital functions
(ex. temperature regulation) |
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thalamus
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sensory relay
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hippocampus
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function of new memories
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amygdala
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emotional responses+processes
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basal ganglia
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planning+producing movement
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what are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
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occipital: vision
parietal: touch temperal: hearing+speech frontal: planning+movement |
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what did lobotamies do?
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damaged prefrontal cortex
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what is the prefrontal cortex important for?
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attention, memory, decisions, social behaviour
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what is the difference between autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system?
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autonomic: regulates body's internal environments
somatic: sensroy info transmitted to Central Nervous System via nerves |
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how do the Endocrine System and Nervous System interact?
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-nervous system interpets stimuli+sends signals to endocrine system
-endocrine system initiates effects in body |
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how do genes+the environment interplay in the brain?
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-chemical signals influence growth+function of cells
-environonmental experiences=necessary for cells to develop properly |
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how does culture affec the brain?
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daily social interactions=affect brain organization
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what is the "fire together, wire together" theory?
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-when 2 neurons fire at the same time, the connection between them becomes stronger
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how do the functions of portions of the cerebral cortex shift?
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they shirft in response to activity
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how do male and female brains differ? why?
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-male brains are generally larger
-females' verbal abilities= organized bilaterally (equally in both hemispheres) -difference in info processing are caused by environmental experiences+genetics |
