Unit 2A AP Psy Hartland
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saramasters1 on May 18, 2010
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39 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 genotype | the genetic makeup of an individual |
| phenotype | physical traits that appear in an individual as a result of its gentic make up |
| genes | parts of a chromosome that control inherited traits |
| chromosomes | threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes |
| neuron | cell that carries messages throughout the nervous system |
| sensory neurons | carry incoming information from the sense receptors to the central nervous system |
| motor neurons | carry outgoing information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands |
| interneurons | carry messages from one neuron to another |
| dendrites | short fibers that branch out from the cell body and pick up incoming messages |
| axon | long fiber that carries impulses away from the cell body of a neuron |
| action potential | a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon |
| resting potential | stable, negative charge of an inactive neuron |
| all-or-nothing principle | states that a neuron always fires with the same intensity; it will fire or not |
| axon terminals | bulb like structers at end of axon contain neuro transmitters that carry neuron message into synapse |
| myelin sheath | a layer of fatty tissue encasing a neuron's axon that speeds transmission |
| nodes of ranvier | gaps in the myelin sheath |
| endorphin | a morphine like neurotransmitter that is produced in the brain and is linked to pain control and pleasure. |
| norepinephrine | neurotransmitter that is involved in arousal and the fight-or-flight system (also mood, sleep, and learning) |
| acetylcholine | a neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contraction and affects learning and memory |
| dopamine | neurotransmitter that influences voluntary movement, attention, alertness; too little = Parkinson's disease; too much =schizophrenia |
| serotonin | neurotransmitter that affects sleep, arousal, mood, appetite; lack of it = depression |
| GABA | major inhibitory neurotransmitter; undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia |
| Glutamate | major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory; too much= migraines or seizures |
| synapse | space between two neurons |
| synaptic vesicles | tiny pouches or sacs in the axon terminals that contain neurotransmitters |
| nerotransmitters | chemical substances released in the synapse |
| MRI | a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves; produces computer-generated images; allows us to see structures within the brain; shows brain anatomy |
| fMRI | a technique for revealing blood flow and, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans; show brain function |
| EEG | amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface: measured by electrodes placed on the scalp |
| CT Scan | uses x-rays to take pictures of the brain at various angles |
| PET scan | injection of radioactive dye into the blood stream; traced and detected to monitor blood flow to various regions of the brain |
| roger sperry | studied split brain patients; showed that left/right hemispheres have different functions |
| michael gazzaniga | split-brain research; important advances in our understanding of how the cerebral hemispheres communicate with one another |
| phineas gage | railroad worker; severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior |
| behavior genetics | study of the relationship between heredity and behavior |
| nature vs nurture | asks which has more impact on out development; the traits we inherit or the environment we live in |
| strain studies | studies the heritability of behavioral traits; animals that are inbred so they are genetically similar |
| twin studies | studies of identical/fraternal twins; to determine influence of heredity and environment on behavior |
| adoption studies | studies children adopted at birth; to determine the influence of heredity and enviornment on behavior |
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