tms
technique that temporarily enhances or depresses neural activity in a specific area of the brain
critical period
limited time span for the development of an organism that's optimal for certain capacities to emerge b/c the organism is especially responsive to certain experiences
fitness
refers to the reproductive success of an an individual organism relative to the average reproductive success in the population
neurons
individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit info
soma
neuron part that contains the cell nucleus and miuch of the chemical machinery common to most cells
dendrites
branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to recieve info
axon
long, thin fiber that transmits signals away from the soma to other neurons, or to muscles or glands
myelin sheath
an insulating jacket, derived from glia cells that encases some axons
terminal buttons
small knobs at the end of the axon that secrete chemicals [neurotransmitters]
synapse
a junction where info is transmitted between neurons
resting potential
the stable, negative charge of an inactive neuron
reuptake
a process in which neurotransmitters are sponged up from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic neuron
natural selection
heritable characteristics that provide a survival or reproductive advantage are more likely than alternative characteristics to be passed on to subsequent generations and thus come to be "selected" over time
synaptic cleft
a microscopic gap between the terminal buttons of the sending neuron and the cell membrane of another cell
neurotransmitters
chemicals that transmit info from 1 neuron to another
psp
a voltage change at the receptor site of a neuron
excitory psp
electric potential that increases the likelihood that a postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials
inhibitory psp
electric potential that decreases the likelihood that a postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials
family studies
technique for assessing hereditary influence by examining blood relatives to see how much they resemble each other on a specific trait
agonist
a chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter
antagonist
a chemical that opposes the action of a neurotransmitter
endorphins
an entire family of internally produced chemicals that resemble opiates in structure and effects
peripheral nervous system
system that includes all those nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal chord
nerves
bundles of neuron fibers [axons] that travel together in the peripheral nervous system
somatic nervous system
system made up of the nerves that connect to the voluntary skeletal muscles and sensory receptors
afferent nerve fibers
axons that carry information inward to the central nervous system from the periphery of the body
efferent nerve fibers
axons that carry info outward from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body
autonomic nervous system
system made up of the nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands
sympathetic division
the branch of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body's resources for emergencies
parasympathetic division
the branch of the autonomic nervous sytem that generally conserves bodily resources
central nervous system
system that consists of the brain and spinal chord
cerebrospinal fluid
a solution that fills the hollow cavities [ventricles] of the brain and circulates around the brain and spinal chord
electroencephalograph [EEG]
a device that monitors the electrical activity of the brain over time by means of recording electrodes attached to the surface of the scalp
hindbrain
part of the brain that includes the cerebellum and 2 structures found in the lower part of the brainstem, the medulla, and the pons
midbrain
the segment of the brain that lies between the hindbrain and forebrain
forebrain
part of the brain encompassing the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebrum
thalamus
a structure in the forebrain through which all sensory info [except smell] must pass to get to the cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
a structure found near the base of the forebrain that's involved in the regulation of biological needs
limbic system
densely connected network of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex, involved in the control of emotion, motivation, and
cerebral cortex
convoluted outer layer of the cerebrum
cerebral hemispheres
right and left halves of the cerebrum
corpus callosum
structure that connects the 2 cerebral hemispheres
genetic mapping
process of determining the location and chemical sequence of specific genes of chromosomes
split-brain surgery
surgery in which the corpus callosum is severed to reduce severity of seizures
endocrine system
system of glands that secrete chemicals into the bloodstream that help control bodily functioning
hormones
chemical substances released by endocrine glands
pituitary gland
master gland" of endocrine system
chromosomes
threadlike strands of DNA molecules that carry genetic info
zygote
1-celled organism formed by the union of a sperm and egg
genes
DNA segments that serve as the key functional units in hereditary transmission
dominant gene
gene that's expressed when paired genes are heterozygus
recessive gene
gene that's masked when painted genes are heterozygus
genotype
person's genetic makeup
phenotype
way in which a person's genotype is manifested in observable characteristics
polygenic traits
characteristics influenced by 1+ pairs of genes
inclusive fitness
sum of an individual's own reproductive success, plus the effects the organism has on the reproductive success of related others
fraternal twins
twins that result when 2 eggs are fertilized simultaneously by diff sperm cells, forming 2 separate zygotes
perceptual asymmetries
left-right imbalances between cerebral hemispheres in the speed of visual/ auditory processing
identical twins
twins that emerge from 1 zygote that splits
behavioral genetics
interdisciplinary field that studies the influence of genetic factors on behavioral traits
homozygus condition
2 genes in a specific pair are the same
heterozygus condition
2 genes in a specific pair are different
twin studies
assessing hereditary influence by comparing the resemblance of identical and fraternal twins on a trait
lesioning
method that includes destroying a piece of the brain by means of a strong electric current delivered through an electrode
electrical stimulation of the brain [ESB]
method that involves sending a weak electric current into a brain structure to stimulate [activate] it
Hodgkin and Huxley
unlocked the mystery of the neural impulse
Sperry and Garzzaniga
known for their work with the split-brain
Olds and Milner
discovered "pleasure-centers" in the limbic system
Pert and Snyder
showed that morphine works by binding to specific receptors
Plomin
1 of the leading behavior genetics researches in the last decade
Darwin
identified natural selection as the mechanism that orchestrates the process of evolution