front 1 What is the relationship between heredity and environment in shaping behavior | back 1 Behavior and mental processes result from an interaction between heredity (genes) and environment (experiences). Neither acts alone; they influence each other dynamically. |
front 2 Define Heredity | back 2 Transmission of traits from parents to offspring through genes. |
front 3 Define Environment | back 3 External factors (culture, family, experiences) that influence development |
front 4 What is the Evolutionary Perspective | back 4 Explains behavior through principles of natural selection and adaptation. Traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on |
front 5 What is Natural Selection | back 5 Process where traits that improve survival/reproduction become more common in a population over generations |
front 6 Define Genes | back 6 Units of heredity that code for traits |
front 7 Define Genome | back 7 Complete set of genetic material in an organism |
front 8 What is Nurture vs. Nature | back 8 - Nature: Behavior shaped by genetics and biology. - Nurture: Behavior shaped by environment and experiences. - Modern View: Both interact—genes set potential, environment influences expression (supported by twin/adoption studies and epigenetics). |
front 9 What is Eugenics | back 9 A controversial movement advocating selective breeding to improve genetic quality of humans |
front 10 What are Twin Studies and Adoption Studies | back 10 - Compare identical (MZ) and fraternal (DZ) twins to assess genetic influence. - Adoption Studies: Compare adopted children to biological and adoptive parents to separate genetic vs. environmental effects. |
front 11 Identical vs. Fraternal Twins | back 11 - Identical (Monozygotic): Share 100% of genes. - Fraternal (Dizygotic): Share ~50% of genes. |
front 12 What is Epigenetics | back 12 Study of how environment can influence gene expression without changing DNA sequence |
front 13 What is the Nervous System | back 13 Network of cells that transmit signals between body parts and the brain; controls behavior and mental processes |
front 14 What is the Central Nervous System (CNS | back 14 Composed of the brain and spinal cord; processes information and directs responses |
front 15 What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) | back 15 All nerves outside the CNS; connects CNS to limbs and organs |
front 16 What is the Somatic Nervous System | back 16 Part of PNS; controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information |
front 17 What is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) | back 17 Part of PNS; controls involuntary functions (heart rate, digestion). Includes sympathetic and parasympathetic systems |
front 18 Sympathetic Nervous System | back 18 Activates “fight or flight” response |
front 19 Parasympathetic Nervous System | back 19 Promotes “rest and digest” functions |
front 20 What is a Reflex | back 20 Automatic response to a stimulus, processed by the spinal cord without brain involvement |
front 21 What is a neuron | back 21 Basic cell of the nervous system that transmits information through electrical and chemical signals |
front 22 Main parts of a neuron | back 22 - Cell Body: Contains nucleus - Dendrites: Receive signals. - Axon: Sends signals. - Myelin: Speeds transmission. - Synapse: Gap between neurons. |
front 23 Types of neurons | back 23
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front 24 What are glial cells | back 24 Support neurons, provide nutrients, remove waste, form myelin |
front 25 What is an action potential | back 25 Electrical impulse traveling down axon; follows all-or-nothing principle |
front 26 ey steps in neural transmission | back 26
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front 27 What is reuptake | back 27 Process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the sending neuron. |
front 28 Excitatory vs. Inhibitory neurotransmitters | back 28
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front 29 Examples of neurotransmitters | back 29
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front 30 Endocrine system role | back 30 Releases hormones (e.g., adrenaline, oxytocin, melatonin) that influence behavior and mental processes. |
front 31 How do psychoactive drugs affect neurotransmission | back 31 - Agonists: Mimic neurotransmitters. - Antagonists: Block receptors. -Reuptake inhibitors: Prevent reabsorption. |
front 32 Types of psychoactive drugs | back 32 - Stimulants: Increase activity (caffeine, cocaine). - Depressants: Slow activity (alcohol). - Opioids: Pain relief (heroin). - Hallucinogens: Alter perception (LSD, marijuana) |
front 33 What are tolerance, addiction, and withdrawal | back 33 - Tolerance: Need more for same effect. - Addiction: Compulsive use despite harm. - Withdrawal: Negative symptoms when stopping. |
front 34 What is the Brain Stem | back 34 Controls basic life functions (breathing, heart rate). Includes medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain |
front 35 What is the Reticular Activating System | back 35 Network in brainstem; regulates arousal, attention, and sleep-wake cycles. |
front 36 What is the Cerebellum | back 36 Coordinates balance, posture, and fine motor movements |
front 37 What is the Cerebral Cortex | back 37 Outer layer of forebrain; involved in higher-order functions like thinking, planning, and language. |
front 38 What is Split Brain Research | back 38 tudies on patients with severed corpus callosum show hemispheric specialization (left = language, right = spatial) |
front 39 Areas of the brain that affect language | back 39 - Broca’s Area: Speech production. - Wernicke’s Area: Language comprehension. |
front 40 Major lobes of the brain | back 40 - Frontal: Decision-making, motor cortex. - Parietal: Sensory info, somatosensory cortex. - Temporal: Hearing, language. - Occipital: Vision. |
front 41 What is the Limbic System | back 41 Emotional processing and memory. Includes amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus. |
front 42 What is Brain Plasticity | back 42 Ability of brain to reorganize and adapt after injury or experience |
front 43 Common brain imaging techniques | back 43 - EEG: Electrical activity. - MRI/fMRI: Structure & function. - PET: Metabolic activity. - CT: X-ray imaging. - MEG: Magnetic fields. |
front 44 What are Lesions | back 44 Damage or surgical removal of brain tissue used to study the function of specific areas |
front 45 What are Case Studies in Brain Research | back 45 In-depth analysis of individuals with brain injuries or abnormalities to understand brain-behavior relationships |