Nature vs. Nurture
The debate over whether behavior is shaped by genes or environment.
nature vs. nurture
The network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
The basic building block of the nervous system
neuron
The structure that helps regulate hunger, thirst, and body temperature
hypothalamus
The stage of sleep where dreaming most often occurs
REM Sleep
The study of how genes and environment interact to influence behavior
Behavior Genetics
The brain and spinal cord together make up this system
Central Nervous System
Branch-like structures that receive messages
dendrites
The brain structure responsible for balance and coordination
Cerebellum
Temporary stopping of breathing during sleep
sleep apnea
Changes in gene expression caused by environmental factors
Epigenetics
Nerves that carry information from body to CNS
sensory (afferent) neurons
The electrical impulse that travels down the axon
action potential
The brain’s sensory relay station
thalamus
Vivid sensory experiences without external stimuli
hallucinations
How genes and environment work together to influence behavior
Interaction
Controls voluntary muscle movements
somatic nervous system
The minimum stimulation needed to trigger a neural impulse
threshold
The emotion-processing center associated with fear and aggression
amygdala
Brain waves associated with relaxed wakefulness
alpha waves
The complete set of genetic material in an organism
Genome
The system that controls fight-or-flight responses
The sympathetic nervous system
The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters travel
synapse
The large band of fibers connecting the two hemispheres
Corpus Callosum
A group of bran cells that controls arousal and alertness
reticular formation