Heredity
Nature is to genes as Nurture is to...
The nervous system breaks down into what two subsets?
The Central Nervous System & The Peripheral Nervous System
What are Neurons and what are their main functions?
Specialized cells that transmit electrical signals.
Function: Carry out most of the brain's communication.
Action: Sends messages from the brain to the body and back.
The brain’s outermost layer, responsible for higher-level thinking and complex tasks
The Cerebral Cortex
What's the difference between NREM and REM?
Non-rapid eye movement
Rapid eye movement; deep sleep, the body is paralyzed, and the brain is active
The idea that behaviors have evolved because they helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.
Evoluntionary Perspective
The central nervous system is composed of what?
The brain and the spinal cord
What exactly are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse of neurons
Name the 4 main lobes of the brain
Frontal, Temporal, Parietal, Occipital
What are the two biological dream theories?
Activation Synthesis Theory: Dreams are the brain’s way of making sense of random neural activity
Consolidation Theory: Dreams help process and solidify memories and experiences from the day
Scientists study the influence of heredity and environment using:
Twin studies, adoption studies, family studies
The Peripheral Nervous System is broken down into what two subsets?
Autonomic and Somatic Nervous Systems
What exactly are hormones?
Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream and affect behavior and mood.
The Hypothalamus is part of the Limbic System. What does the Hypothalamus do?
Regulates basic drives like hunger, thirst, and body temperature—keeping you in balance
What is narcolepsy?
Sudden and uncontrollable "sleep attacks
How our environment can activate and deactivate genes is called what?
Epigenetics
The autonomic nervous system breaks down into what two subsets?
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
Stimulants: Speed up body functions and enhance energy. Name 1 stimulant drug
Caffeine, Cocaine, Methamphetamines, Ecstasy
The Broca's area is in which lobe & what is it responsible for?
The Wernicke's area is in which lobe & what is it responsible for?
Broca’s Area: Responsible for speech production. (Frontal lobe)
Wernicke’s Area: Responsible for speech comprehension (Temporal lobe)
What is sleep apnea?
Breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep
Identical twins share how much of their DNA?
Fraternal twins share how much of their DNA?
Identical- 100%
Fraternal - 50% (no more alike than other siblings)
The sympathetic nervous system is the fight or flight whereas the parasympathetic nervous system is what?
Rest & Digest
Depressants: Slow down body functions and neural activity. Name 1 depressant drug.
Alcohol, Barbiturates (Major Tranquilizers)
What is brain plasticity?
The ability of the brain to rewire itself. Allows the brain to adapt after injury or damage.
Which sleep stage is the hardest to wake up from?
NREM stages 3 and 4- deepest sleep