Genetics
These are different versions of the same gene.
What are alleles?
These two types of cells make up the nervous system.
What are neurons and glial cells?
The brain and spinal cord make up this division of the nervous system.
What is the central nervous system, or CNS?
This brain structure acts as a sensory relay center.
What is the thalamus?
Unlike neurotransmitters, these chemical messengers are released into the bloodstream.
What are hormones?
Your observable characteristics, such as height or eye color, are called this.
What is a phenotype?
These branching structures of a neuron receive signals from other neurons.
What are dendrites?
This division connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
What is the peripheral nervous system, or PNS?
This structure is especially important for learning and memory.
What is the hippocampus?
This gland is often called the “master gland” because its messenger hormones influence other endocrine glands.
What is the pituitary gland?
An individual who has two identical alleles for a particular gene is described by this term.
What is homozygous?
This fatty substance surrounds some axons and increases the speed of neural signals.
What is the myelin sheath?
You decide to raise your hand in class. This division of the PNS is responsible for transmitting the motor information needed for that voluntary movement.
What is the somatic nervous system?
This structure plays an important role in emotion and attaching emotional meaning to memories.
What is the amygdala?
These glands sit on top of the kidneys and release hormones involved in the stress response.
What are the adrenal glands?
Height, skin color, and weight are examples of traits controlled by multiple genes.
What are polygenic traits?
A neuron receives enough stimulation to reach this level, causing an action potential to begin.
What is the threshold of excitation?
You suddenly hear a loud crash and your heart begins beating faster. This division of the autonomic nervous system is activated.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
This lobe is associated with visual processing.
What is the occipital lobe?
This organ produces insulin and glucagon to help regulate blood sugar.
What is the pancreas?
A person has a genetic vulnerability for a psychological disorder, but whether the disorder develops depends partly on their environment. This illustrates this important principle.
What is Nature vs Nurture/gene-environment interaction?
An action potential either happens completely or does not happen at all. There is no “halfway” action potential. This principle is called this.
What is the all-or-none or on/off principle?
After the danger passes, your heart rate slows and your body returns toward its normal, relaxed state. This division is helping you recover.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
A chemical blocks a neurotransmitter from producing its normal effect by binding to its receptor. This chemical is acting as what?
What is an antagonist?
This gland releases hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and appetite.
What is the thyroid gland?