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Details Title: Developmental Psychology Description: Chapter 3 Total Flash Cards: 57 Created: 09/13/2005 13:07:09	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term Genome Definition The complete set of genes that an organism possesses. Term Genotype Definition The genetic material an individual inherites. Term Phenotype Definition The observable expression of the genotype, including both body characteristics and behavior. Term Environment Definition Every aspect of the individual and his or her surroundings other than genes. Term Chromosomes Definition Long, threadlike molecules that transmit genetic information. Chromosomes are made up of DNA. Term DNA Definition Molecules that carry all the biochemical instructions involved in the formation and functioning of an organism. Term Genes Definition Sections of chromosomes that are the basic unit of heredity in all living things. Term Sex Chromosomes Definition The chromosomes that determine an individual's gender. Term Mutation Definition A change in a section of DNA. Mutations can contribute to genetic diversity among people, but most have a deleterious effect on the individual. Term Crossing over Definition The process by which sections of DNA switch from one chromosome to the other. Crossing over promotes variability among individuals. Term Regulator genes Definition Genes that control the activity of other genes. Term Alleles Definition Two or more different forms of a gene for a particular trait Term Dominant allele Definition The allele that, if present, gets expressed. Term Recessive allele Definition The allele that is not expressed if a dominant allele is present. Term Homozygous Definition A description of a person who inherits two of the same allele for a trait. Term Heterozygous Definition A description of a person who inherits two different alleles for a trait. Term Polygenic inheritance Definition Inheritance in which traits are governed by more than one gene. Term Norm of reaction Definition The concept that encompasses all the phenotypes that can theoretically result from a given genotype in relation to all the environments in which it can survive and develop. Term Norm of reaction Definition The concept that encompasses all the phenotypes that can theoretically result from a given genotype in relation to all the environments in which it can survive and develop. Term Phenylketonuria (PKU) Definition A disorder related to a defective recessive gene on chromosome 12 that prevents metabolism of phenylalanine. Without early diagnosis and a properly restricted diet, PKU can lead to severe mental retardation. Term Behavioral genetics Definition The science concerned with how variation in behavior and development results from the combination of genetic and environmental factors. Term Heritable Definition anything (characteristics, traits, etc.) influenced by heredity Term Multifactorial Definition Refers to the involvement of many factors in any outcome. Term Heritability Definition A statistical estimate of the proportion of the measured variance on a given trait among individuals in a given population that is attributable to genetic differences among those individuals. Term Neurons Definition Cells that are specialized for sending and receiving electrical messages between the brain and all parts of the body, as well as within the brain itself. Term Cell body Definition A component of the neuron that contains the basic biological material that keeps the neuron functioning. Term Dendrites Definition Neural fibers that receive input from other cells and conduct it toward the cell body in the form of electrical impulses. Term Axons Definition Neural fibers that conduct electrical signals away from the cell body to connections with other neurons. Term Synapses Definition Microscopic junctions between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendritic branches or cell body of another. Synapses are where the communication between neurons happens. Term Glial cels Definition Cells in the brain that provide a variety of critical supportive functions. Term Myelin sheath Definition A fatty sheath that forms around certain axons in the body and increases the speed and efficiency of information transmission in the nervous system. Term Cerebral cortex Definition The "grey matter" of the brain that plays a primary role in what is thought to be particularly human-like functioning, from seeing and hearing to writing to feeling emotion. Term Lobes Definition Major areas of the cortex. Term Occipital lobe Definition The lobe of the brain that is primarily involved in processing visual information. Term Temporal lobe Definition The lobe of the brain that is associated with memory, visual recognition and the processing of emotion and auditory information Term Parietal lobe Definition The lobe of the brain that governs spatial processing as well as integrating sensory input with information stored in memory. Term Frontal lobe Definition The lobe of the brain associated with organizing behavior and the one that is thought responsible for the human ability to plan ahead. Term Association areas Definition Parts of the brain which lie between the major sensory and motor areas that process and integrate input from those areas. Term Cerebral hemispheres Definition The two halves of the cortex. For the most part, sensory input from one side of the body goes to the opposite hemisphere of the brain. Term Corpus callosum Definition A dense tract of nerve fibers that enable the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate. Term Cerebral laterization Definition The phenomenon that each hemisphere of the brain is specialized for different modes of processing. Term Neurogenesis Definition The proliferation of neurons through cell divison. Term Spines Definition Formations on the dendrites of neurons that increase the dendrites' capacity to form connections with other neurons. Term Myelination Definition The formation of myelin (a fatty sheath) around the axons of neurons that speeds and increases information-processing abilities. Term Synaptogenesis Definition The process by which neurons form synapses with other neurons, resulting in trillions of connections. Term Plasticity Definition The capacity of the brain to be affected by experience. Term Experience-expectant plasticity Definition The process through which the normal wiring of the brain occurs in part as a result of the kinds of general experiences that every human who inhabits any reasonably normal environment will have. Term Experience-dependent plasticity Definition The process through which neural connections are created and reorganized throughout life as a function of an individual's experiences. Term Puberty Definition The developmental stage marked by the ability of the body to reproduce. This stage is accompanied by dramatic bodily changes. Term Menarche Definition The onset of menstruation. Term Body Image Definition How an individual perceives and feels about his or her physical appearance. Term Secular trends Definition Marked changes in physical development that have occurred over generations. Term Failure-to-thrive (nonorganic) - (FTT) Definition A condition in which infants become malnourished and fail to grow or gain weight for no obvious medical reason. Term Bulimia Definition An eating disorder that is characterized by eating binges followed by self-induced vomiting, fasting, and other drastic efforts to avoid gaining weight. Term Anorexia nervosa Definition An eating disorder in which individuals starve themselves because of an extremely distorted body image. Term Marasmus Definition Malnutrition brought out by ingestion of too few calories. Term Kwashiokor Definition Malnutrition brought about by inadequate protein.