Heredity, Environment, and Genetic Research
the study of how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time to enhance survival and reproductive success.
evolutionary Perspective
the outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, including thinking, perceiving, and decision-making.
cerebral cortex
small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, often referred to as the "master gland" due to its central role in regulating hormone production and secretion throughout the body.
Pituitary gland
Consisting of the brain and spinal cord, it serves as the command center of the body, responsible for processing information, coordinating responses, and regulating bodily functions.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
specialized cell that serves as the building block of the nervous system, transmitting electrical and chemical signals throughout the body.
neurons
the process by which neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals.
Neural Transmission
chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons, allowing for communication within the nervous system.
neurotransmitters
neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood, reward, motivation, and movement.
dopamine
refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes.
Plasticity
The process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment.
Sensation
The light-sensitive inner surface of the eye containing photoreceptor cells that convert light into neural signals.
retina
The distance between sound wave peaks
Wavelengths
The principle that one sense can influence another, such as when smell affects taste.
Sensory Interaction
The state of being aware of and able to perceive one's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings. It involves various levels, from alert wakefulness to altered states such as sleep or meditation.
Consciousness
Drugs that increase neural activity and arousal, leading to heightened alertness, attention, and energy levels.
Stimulants
are the inherent biological and genetic factors that influence an individual's psychological development, traits, behaviors, and cognitive abilities.
Nature "genes"
thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication and information sharing between the two hemispheres.
Corpus Callpsum
curved structure located within the brain's temporal lobes, primarily responsible for forming and consolidating new memories.
Hippocampus
consists of all the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.
nerve cells that transmit signals from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles, glands, and organs, initiating and controlling voluntary and involuntary movements.
Motor Neurons
the level of stimulation required to trigger an action potential in a neuron. It is the minimum amount of stimulation necessary to produce a response.
Threshold
chemicals released by neurons that increase the likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron
They bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane, causing depolarization and making the neuron more likely to fire an action potential.
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and stress.
serotonin
studies individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure called corpus callosotomy, which disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain.
Split Brain Research
The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information to make sense of the world around us. It involves the brain's interpretation of sensory inputs, which can be influenced by past experiences, expectations, and context.
Perception
Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for vision in low light conditions and detecting motion. They provide black-and-white vision and are highly sensitive to light, allowing us to see in dim environments.
Rods
The measure of the intensity or loudness of a sound wave, represented by the height of its peaks.
Amplitude
Responsible for smell. Special receptors in the nose detect smells and send signals
Olfactory System
The natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours.
Circadiam Rhythm
Drugs that slow down neural activity and bodily functions. They induce relaxation, sedation, and can lower inhibitions
Depressants
the environmental influences and experiences that shape an individual's psychological development, behaviors, and cognitive processes.
Nurture “Environment”
a relay station in the brain that processes and relays sensory information, such as sight, sound, touch, and taste, to the cerebral cortex.
Thalamus
region of the brain located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints.
Somatosensory Cortex
division of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions, It operates automatically, without conscious control.
Autonomic Nervous System
specialized nerve cells that transmit sensory information from sensory receptors, such as those in the skin, muscles, and organs, to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Sensory Neurons
brief electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron.
It occurs when the neuron receives a stimulus that causes the inside of the cell to become more positively charged than the outside.
Action Potential
chemicals released by neurons that decrease the likelihood of an action potential occurring in the postsynaptic neuron.
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
neurotransmitters produced by the brain and central nervous system that act as natural pain relievers and mood enhancers.
endorphins
located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe, that is responsible for speech production and language processing.
Broca's Area
The conversion of sensory stimuli into neural impulses that can be understood by the brain.
Transduction
Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color vision and detail in bright light. They enable us to perceive colors and fine visual details, such as reading text or distinguishing between different hues.
Cones
he brain's interpretation of the frequency of sound waves, determining whether a sound is high or low in tone.
Pitch Perception
Chemical substances released by animals, including humans, that trigger social or behavioral responses in others of the same species.
Pheromones
This theory suggests that during sleep, the brain organizes and integrates information acquired throughout the day, contributing to memory storage and learning.
Consolidation Theory
A condition where increasing amounts of a psychoactive substance are needed to achieve the same effects.
Tolerance
the transmission of genetic information from biological parents to offspring.
Heredity
The four lobes of the brain include:
Frontal, Occipital, Temporal, and Parietal
vital structure located at the base of the brainstem, regulating essential autonomic functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.
Medulla
division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for controlling voluntary movements and relaying sensory information from the body to the central nervous system.
Somatic Nervous System
nerve cells that serve as connectors within the central nervous system, relaying signals between sensory neurons and motor neurons.
Interneurons
the stable, negative electrical charge that exists across the cell membrane of a neuron when it is not actively transmitting signals.
Resting Potential
he primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, playing a key role in synaptic transmission and neuronal communication. It is involved in various brain functions, including learning, memory, and neural plasticity.
Glutamate
chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system that travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs, where they regulate various physiological processes and behaviors.
hormones
region located in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the temporal lobe, that is involved in language comprehension and understanding spoken and written language.
Wernicke's Area
The minimum amount of stimulation required for a stimulus to be detected by a sensory system. It represents the point at which a stimulus becomes noticeable to an individual at least 50% of the time.
Absolute Threshold
Area on the retina where the optic nerve exits the eye, lacking photoreceptor cells. It's a spot where vision is absent, as there are no light-sensitive cells to detect visual stimuli.
Blind Spot
Idea that different parts of the inner ear detect different sound frequencies.
Place Theory
The sense of taste, involving receptors on the tongue that detect different flavors.
Gustation
What are the different stages of Sleep?
NREM 1-3, and REM
Drugs that alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often causing hallucinations or profound changes in consciousness.
Hallucinogens
the belief in improving the genetic quality of a human population by controlling reproduction to increase desirable traits and decrease undesirable ones.
Eugenics
a network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness.
Reticular Activating System
ocated beneath the cerebral cortex, is a set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation.
The limbic System
The autonomic nervous system is split into two categories.
One is responsible for activating the body's "fight or flight" response in times of stress or danger.
The other is responsible for promoting relaxation and restoring the body to a calm state after experiencing stress or danger.
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
the "support cells" of the nervous system, provide structural support, insulation, and nourishment to neurons.
Glial Cells
states that once a neuron reaches its threshold of excitation, it will fire an action potential at full strength.
All or nothing principle
a neurotransmitter that acts as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety.
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Is often referred to as the "love hormone" or "bonding hormone" due to its involvement in forming emotional connections, trust, and intimacy.
Oxytocin
Name all Three Research Techniques
non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain.
Involves placing electrodes on the scalp to detect and measure the electrical signals produced by neurons in the brain.
neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels.
It provides detailed images of the brain's structure and function, allowing researchers to observe which areas of the brain are active during specific tasks or stimuli.
Research technique used to study brain function by intentionally damaging or destroying specific areas of the brain in experimental animals.
EEG, FMRI, and Lesioning
The smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected by an individual. It's the minimal difference needed for a person to perceive that a change has occurred.
Just Noticeable Difference
A theory proposing that color vision is based on pairs of opposing color processes (red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white).
Opponent Process Theory
A theory of pitch perception proposing that the frequency of a sound wave directly corresponds to the rate at which auditory nerve fibers fire. Higher frequency sounds lead to faster firing rates, resulting in higher perceived pitches.
Frequency Theory
The sense of body orientation and movement, including balance and spatial awareness. It relies on receptors in the inner ear that detect changes in head position and movement, helping to maintain stability and coordinate bodily movements.
Vestibular Sense
sleep disorder commonly known as sleepwalking, characterized by walking or performing other activities while still asleep.
Somnambulism
psychoactive drugs that act on ________ receptors in the brain and body, producing pain relief, euphoria, and sedation.
Opioids