Brain and Behaviour
The theory that certain areas of the brain are responsible for certain psychological functions
Localization of function
A chemical messenger system of the organism; the system of glands that secrete hormones
Endocrine system
deviations of the phenotype from the genotype occurring as a result of changes in gene expression
Epigenetic changes
functions that cannot be localized anywhere in the brain
Widely distributed functions
A set of traits as it is coded in an individual's DNA
Genotype
The ability of the brain to change in response to environmental demands
Neuroplasticity
A hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland; it is known for its role in social interaction and sexual reproduction
Oxytocin
a set of traits that actually manifest in an individual's body, appearance or behaviour
Phenotype
neuroplasticity on the level of the cortex
Cortical remapping
Part of gene expression; replicating the DNA sequence in a freshly synthesized RNA molecule
Gene transcription
a part of the limbic system, known to be implicated in emotional regulation and long-term memory
Hippocampus
a chemical messenger that communicates information (such as fertility or sexual attractiveness) from one member of a species to another
Pheremone
the assumption that the mind has evolved to serve different survival-related functions
Massive modularity
a chemical that enhances the action of a neurotransmitter
Agonist
the process by which certain chemicals (methyl groups) are added to the DNA molecule, affecting gene transcription
DNA methylation
a class of chemicals that act by preventing reuptake of excess serotonin in the synapse, hence increasing its concentration in the synaptic gap
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
a genetic technique in which one of the genes of an organism is "switched off"; the term can also be used to describe the organism that carries this inoperative gene.
Gene knockout (KO)
the key mechanism of evolution; differential survival of individuals based on the extent to which they are adapted to the environment
Natural selection
a chemical messenger stored in the axon and released into the synaptic gap
Neurotransmitter
The process by which organisms change from generation to generation due to the transmission of heritable characteristics
Evolution
pulses of energy emitted by oxygenated blood when placed in an external magnetic field, used in fMRI
BOLD (blood-oxygen-level dependent) signal
a chemical substance that is hypothesized to be a human pheromone such as androstadienone (AND) and estratetraenol (EST)
Putative human pheromone
explaining something after it has already happened
Post-hoc reasoning
Temporal resolution
Disgust