PSY 102 exam 1 > Lecture 3 > Flashcards

Lecture 3 Flashcards

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1
Q

What do psychological researchers study genetics for?

A

To better understand the biological factors that contribute to certain behaviours

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2
Q

What is Sickle-cell Anemia?

A

A genetic condition in which red blood cells take on a crescent-like shape

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3
Q

What are the effects of the crescent-like shape of red blood cells in Sickle-cell Anemia?

A

Clogs blood vessels and blocks blood flow, leading to high fever, severe pain, swelling, and tissue damage

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4
Q

Does survival of the fittest apply to the sickle-cell gene?

A

No, the sickle-cell gene remains relatively common among people of African descent

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5
Q

What does the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection state?

A

Organisms that are better suited for their environment will survive and reproduce, while poorly suited ones will die off

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6
Q

How many chromosomes do egg and sperm each contain?

A

23 chromosomes

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7
Q

What is the structure of chromosomes?

A

Long strings of genetic material known as Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

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8
Q

What is an allele?

A

A specific version of a gene

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9
Q

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

A

Genotype is the genetic makeup; phenotype refers to inherited physical characteristics influenced by genetics and environment

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10
Q

What does homozygous mean?

A

Having two copies of the same allele

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11
Q

What does heterozygous mean?

A

Having a combination of alleles for a given gene

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12
Q

What are polygenic traits?

A

Traits controlled by more than one gene, such as height, weight, and skin color

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13
Q

What is a mutation?

A

A sudden, permanent change in a gene

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14
Q

What does the Range of Reaction state?

A

Our genes set the boundaries for how we can operate, and our environment determines where we fall within that range

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15
Q

What is genetic-environmental correlation?

A

Our genes influence our environments, and our environments influence our genes

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16
Q

What is epigenetics?

A

The study of how the same genotype can be expressed in different ways

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17
Q

What are glial cells?

A

Cells that provide scaffolding for the nervous system, assist in neuronal communication, and transport nutrients

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18
Q

What are neurons?

A

Interconnected information processors essential for the tasks of the nervous system

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19
Q

What is the function of the soma in a neuron?

A

Contains the nucleus

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20
Q

What do dendrites do?

A

Receive signals from other neurons

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21
Q

What is the axon?

A

The major extension of a neuron that sends signals

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22
Q

What are terminal buttons?

A

Structures that contain synaptic vesicles housing neurotransmitters

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23
Q

What is the myelin sheath?

A

A fatty substance that coats the axon and acts as an insulator

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24
Q

What are the Nodes of Ranvier?

A

Gaps in the myelin sheath

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25
What is the synaptic cleft?
The small space between two neurons where communication occurs
26
What does the lock-and-key relationship refer to in neuronal communication?
Specific neurotransmitters fit specific receptors
27
What is membrane potential?
The difference in charge across the neuronal membrane that provides energy for signals
28
What is resting potential?
The state of readiness held by the neuron membrane between signals
29
What is depolarization?
When membrane potential becomes less negative, making the neuron more likely to fire
30
What is hyperpolarization?
When membrane potential becomes more negative, making the neuron less likely to fire
31
What is action potential?
The electrical signal that moves from the cell body down the axon to the axon terminals
32
What does the all-or-none principle state?
An incoming signal is either sufficient or insufficient to reach the threshold of excitation
33
What is reuptake in neuronal communication?
The process of pumping neurotransmitters back into the neuron that released them
34
What is a neurotransmitter?
A chemical messenger of the nervous system
35
What is the biological perspective on psychological disorders?
They are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems
36
What is the function of Acetylcholine?
Muscle action and memory
37
What is the function of dopamine?
Mood, sleep, and learning
38
What is the function of norepinephrine?
Heart, intestines, and alertness
39
What is psychotropic medication?
Drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring neurotransmitter balance
40
What is an agonist?
A drug that mimics or strengthens the effects of a neurotransmitter
41
What is an antagonist?
A drug that blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter
42
What does the somatic nervous system do?
Relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS
43
What does the autonomic nervous system control?
Internal organs and glands; divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
44
What is the fight-or-flight response?
Activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
45
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
Controls routine operations of the body under relaxed conditions
46
What is homeostasis?
A state of equilibrium in the body
47
What are the two main parts of the nervous system?
The brain and spinal cord
48
What is the function of the spinal cord?
Delivers messages to and from the brain and has its own system of reflexes
49
What is lateralization?
The concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions
50
What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
* Frontal Lobe * Parietal Lobe * Temporal Lobe * Occipital Lobe
51
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Involved in executive functioning, motor control, emotion, and language
52
What is the primary somatosensory cortex responsible for?
Processing sensory information from across the body
53
What does the temporal lobe associate with?
Hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language
54
What is the primary visual cortex responsible for?
Interpreting incoming visual information
55
What is the thalamus's role?
Sensory relay center of the brain
56
What does the hypothalamus regulate?
Homeostatic processes including body temperature, appetite, and blood pressure
57
What is the medulla responsible for?
Controlling automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate
58
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Controls balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills
59
What is the purpose of a Computerized Tomography Scan?
Creates an image through x-rays to show brain tumors
60
What does a Positron Emission Tomography Scan show?
Activity in different parts of the brain
61
What is the function of Magnetic Resonance Imaging?
Produces a picture of brain tissue using magnetic fields
62
What does Electroencephalography (EEG) measure?
Records the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes on the scalp
63
What is the role of the pituitary gland?
Serves as the master gland controlling the secretions of all other glands
64
What does the thyroid gland secrete?
Thyroxine, which regulates growth, metabolism, and appetite
65
What hormones do adrenal glands secrete?
Hormones involved in the stress response
66
What is the function of gonads?
Secrete sex hormones important for reproduction and regulating sexual motivation
67
What does the pancreas regulate?
Blood sugar through hormone secretion
68
beta-endorphin
pain, pleasure
69
gamma-aminobutyric acid
brain function, sleep
70
glutamate
memory, learning
71
serotonine
mood, sleep
72
pons
connects brain and spinal cord; regulated brain activity during sleep
73
reticular formation
regulates sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity
74
substantia nigra
where dopamine is produced; movement
75
ventral tegmental area
where dopamine is produced; mood, reward, and addiction
PSY 102 exam 1
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