Psychology Ch. 3

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DNA

Back 1

large molecule that contains genes

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Genes

Back 2

small segments of DNA that contain information for producing proteins

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genome

Back 3

all the genetic information in DNA

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alleles

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different forms of a gene

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dominant genes

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genes that show their effect even if there is only one allele for that trait in the pair

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recessive genes

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genes that show their effects only when boh alleles are the same

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behavioral genetics

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the scientific study of the role of heredity in behavior

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heritability

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the extent to which a characteristic is influenced by genetics

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epigenetics

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concerns changes in the way genes are turned on or off without a change in the sequence of dna

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central nervous system

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the part of the nervous system that comprises the brain and spinal cord

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peripheral nervous system

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the part of the nervous system that comprises all the nerve cells in the body outside the central nervous system

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somatic nervous system

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nerve cells of the peripheral nervous system that transmit sensory info to the central nervous system and those that transmit information from the cns to the skeletal muscles

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autonomic nervous system

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all the nerves of the peripheral nervous system that serve involuntary systems of the body, such as the internal organs and glands

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parasymphathetic nervous system

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the branch of the nervous system that usually relaxes or returns the body to a less active, restful state

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sympathetic nervous system

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the branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates bodily systems in times of emergency

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glial cells

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central nervous system cells that provide structural support, promote efficient communication between neurons, and serve as scavengers, removing cellular debris

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neurons

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the cells that process and transmt info in the nervous system

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neuro transmitters

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chemicals that transmit info between neurons

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motor neurons

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nerve cells that carry commands for movement from the brain to the muscles of the body

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mirror neurons

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nerve cells that are active when we observe others performing an action as well as when we are performing the same action

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interneurons

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neurons that communicate only with other neurons

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ions

Back 22

chemically charged particles that predominate in bodily fluids; found both inside and outside cells

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synaptic vesicles

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tiny sacs in the terminal buttons that contain neurotransmitters

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reuptake

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a way of removing excess neurotransmitter from the synapse, in which excess neurotransmitter is returned to the sending or presynaptic, neuron for storage in vesicles and future uses.

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dopamine

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a neurotransmitter released in respnose to behaviors that feel good or are rewarding to the person or animal; also involved in voluntary motor control

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enzymatic degradation

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a way of removing excess neurotransmitter from the synapse, in which enzymes specific for that neurotransmitter bind with the neurotransmitter and destroy it

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graded potentials

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small changes in membrane potential that by themselves are insufficient to trigger an action potential

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acetylcholine

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a nt that controls muscle movement and plays a role in mental processes such as learning, memory, attention, sleeping, and dreaming

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epinephrine

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also known as adrenaline, a nt that arouses bodily systems (heart rate)

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serotonin

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a nt with wide ranging effects: involved in dreaming and controlling emotional states, especially anger, anxiety and depression

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norepinephrine

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a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the sympathetic nervous system, energyzing bodily systems and increasing mental arousal and alertness

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GABA

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a major inhibitory nt in the brain that tells postsynaptic neurons not to fire; it slows cns activity and is necessary to regulate and control neural activity

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glutamate

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a major excitatory nt in the brain that increases the likelihood that a postsynaptic neuron will fire; important in learning, memory, neural processing, and brain development

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pons

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a hindbrain structure that serves as a bridge between lower brain regions and higher mid brain and forebrain activity

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cerebellum

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a hindbrain structure involved in body movement, balance, coordination, fine tuning motor skills, and cognitive activites such as learning and language

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medulla

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a hindbrain structure that extends directly from the spinal cord; regulates breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure

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reticular formation

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a network of nerve fivers that runs up through both the hindbrain and mid brain; it is crucial to waking up and falling asleep

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thalamus

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a forebrain structure that receives information from the senses and relays it ito the cerebral cortex for processing

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hypothalamus

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a limbic structure; the master regulator of almost all major drives and moties we have, such as hunger, thirst, temperature, and sexual behavior; also controls the pituitary gland

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amygdala

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a small, almond shaped structure located directly in front of the hippocampus; has connections with many important brain regions and is important for processing emotional info expecially that related to fear

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hippocampus

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a limbic structure that wraps itself around the thalamus; plays a vital role in learning and memory

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cerebrum

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each of the large halves of the breain that are covered with convolutions, or folds

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cingulate gyrus

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a beltlike structure in the middle of the brain that plays an important role in attention and cognitive control

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basal ganglia

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a collection of structures surrounding the thalamus involved in voluntary motor control

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cerebral cortex

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the thin outer layer of the cerebrum, in which much of human thought, planning perception, and consciousness takes place

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contralaterality

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the fact that one side of the brain controls movement on the opposite side

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insula

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a small structure inside the cerebrum that plays an important role in the perception of bodily sensations, emotional states, empaty, and addictive behavior

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corpus callosum

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the nerve fibers that connect the two hemispheres of the brain

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aphasia

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deficit in the ability to speak or comprehend language

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brocas area

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an area in the left frontal lobe responsible for the ability to produce speech

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wernicke's area

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an area deep in the left temporal lobe responsible for the ability to speak in meaningful sentences and to comprehend the meaning of speech

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neuroplasticity

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the brains ability to adopt new functions, reorganize itself, or make new neural connections throughout life, as a function of experience

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neurogenesis

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the development of new neurons

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arborization

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the growth and formation of new dendrites

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synaptogenesis

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the formation of entirely new synapses or connections with other neurons