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Chapter 3
the biology of behavior
51
Psychology
Undergraduate 1
02/28/2011

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Term
genes
Definition
small segments of DNA that contain info for producing proteins
Term
genome
Definition
all genetic information contained in our DNA
Term
alleles
Definition
genes within a population or entire species often take different forms (alleles)
Term
behavioral genetics
Definition
the scientific study of the role of heredity in behavior
Term
monogenetic transmission
Definition
the hereditary passing on of traits determined by a single gene
Term
polygenic transmission
Definition
when many genes interact to create a single characteristic
Term
heritability
Definition
the extent to which a characteristic is influenced by genetics
Term
epigenetics
Definition
how the environment changes gene expression
Term
nervous system
Definition
controls all the actions and automatic processes of the body
Term
central nervous system
Definition
brain and spinal chord
Term
central nervous system
Definition
brain and spinal chord
Term
peripheral nervous system
Definition
all other nerve cells in the body
Term
somatic nervous system
Definition
transmits sensory information to the brain and spinal cord from the brain and spinal cord to the skeletal muscles
Term
autonomic nervous system
Definition
serves the involuntary system of the body, like the internal organs and glands
Term
sympatheic nervous system
Definition
the nerves of these control muscles in organs such as stomach, small intestine, and bladder and glands, responsible for fight or flight response, activates bodily systems in time of emergency

(ACTIVATING THE BODY)
Term
parasympathetic branch
Definition
one relaxation, or returning the body to less active states, everything relaxed
Term
cells of the nervous system
Definition
glial cells and neurons
Term
glial cells
Definition
holding CNS together, provide structural support, promote efficient communication between neurons and remove cellular debris
Term
neurons
Definition
the cells that process and transmit information throughout the nervous system
-building blocks
Term
action potentials
Definition
positively charged impulse that moves down an axon
Term
soma
Definition
cell body of a neuron (contains a nucleus and other components needed for cell maintenance and function)
Term
axon
Definition
extending from the soma-transmit electrical impulses toward the adjacent neuron
Term
dendrites
Definition
fingerlike projections that receive incoming messages from other neurons
Term
myelin sheath
Definition
what the axons are wrapped by, insulates axons so that impulses travel more efficiently and strengthens the connection to adjacent neurons
Term
myelination
Definition
process that is gradual and starts before birth and continues into early adulthood
Term
synapse
Definition
the junction between the axon and the adjacent neuron
Term
terminal button
Definition
at the end of the axon, at each synapse, contains tiny sacs of neurotransmitters
Term
sensory neurons
Definition
receive incoming sensory information from the sense organs (eyes, ears, skin, tongue, and nose)
Term
motor neurons
Definition
take commands from the brain and carry them to muscles of the body
Term
interneurons
Definition
communicate only with other neurons
Term
ion
Definition
fluid inside and outside the cell contains electrically charged particles
Term
refractory period
Definition
the neuron cannot generate another action potential
Term
all or none principle
Definition
an action potential either fired or it does not, there is no half way, if the depolarized threshold is not reached, there is no action potential
Term
neurotransmission
Definition
communication between neurons
Term
synaptic vesicles
Definition
sacs that neurotransmitters are packaged in, in the terminal button
Term
hindbrain
Definition
regulates breathing, heart rate, arousal, and other basic functions of survival (3 parts-medulla, pons, cerebellum)
Term
medulla
Definition
regulates breathing,heart rate, blood pressure, and also involved in various kinds of reflexes
Term
pons
Definition
bridge between lower brain regions and higher midbrain and forebrain activity
Term
cerebellum
Definition
little brain-contains more neurons than any other single part of the brain. -responsible for body movement, balance, coordination, and fine motor skills-important for cognitive abilities
Term
midbrain
Definition
controls eye muscles, process auditory and visual information, and initiate voluntary body movement
Term
reticular formation
Definition
run through hindbrain and midbrain, crucial to waking up and falling asleep
Term
forebrain
Definition
largest part of the brain-relays sensory info to the part of the cerebral cortex most responsible for processing that specific kind of info, and limbic system
-control cognitive, sensory, and motor function-regulate temp, reproductive functions, eating, sleeping, and display of emotions
Term
limbic system
Definition
hypothalamus (hunger). hippocampus (memory). amygdala (emotions).
Term
cerebrum
Definition
folded into convolutions or folds and divided into 2 large hemispheres
Term
celebral cortex
Definition
outer layer of cerebrum in which much human thought, planning, perception, and consciousness takes place
Term
contralaterality
Definition
the fact that one side of the brain controls movement on the opposite side
Term
cortical localization
Definition
different parts of the cortex are responsible for diff functions
Term
cerebral hemispheres
Definition
corpus callosum-provides a channel for extensive communication between hemispheres-both logical and creative tasks
Term
electroencephalography (EEG)
Definition
used to record electrical activity of the brain

ERP-to measure cognitive processes
Term
electroencephalography (EEG)
Definition
used to record electrical activity of the brain

ERP-to measure cognitive processes
Term
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI
Definition
mri-detailed images of the brain, fmri-tells us about activity (where occuring, etc.)
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