Psychology Midterm Notes

CH. 2 NEUROSCIENCE & BEHAVIOR

Part 1

I. Our Genetic Inheritance

Neuroscience: scientific study of the biology of behavior & mental processes
Behavioral Genetics: study of the relative effects of heredity & environment on behavior & mental processes

Genes & DNA

-The nucleus of every cell contains genes, which carry the code for hereditary transmission

-Genes are arranged along chromosomes (strands of paired DNA).

Evolutionary Psychology: studies how natural selection & adaptation help explain behavior & mental processes
Natural Selection: survival of the most advantageous gene! Gene-Environment Interaction

Genes (Nature) vs. Environment (Nurture)

*TWINS: identical = 100% of shared genetic material fraternal = 50% of shared genetic material

Heritability: the degree to which individual differences are a result of genetic, inherited factors rather than differences in the environment - Ranges from 0% to 100% - Can be determined by the use of:
—Family studies -close vs. distant relatives vs. non-family members
—Twin studies -identical vs. fraternal
—Adoption studies -adopted vs. biological family

II. Neural Basis of Behavior (Brain)

Neural Bases of Psychology

-Our nervous system consists of neurons.
—cells responsible for receiving & conducting electrical impulses from the brain

The Structure of a Neuron

Dendrites: (antennas) that receive signals
Nucleus: (eyeball) cell body w/ DNA, source of signals dendrites pick up
Axon
Myelin Sheath
Terminal Bottom

Neural Communication

-Within a neuron, communication results from an action potential.

**Electrical Terminal Process

-Receiving neurons receive multiple messages from other neurons


-These multiple messages then determine if an action…..

-Between neurons, communication occurs through transmission of neural information across a synapse by neurotransmitters.

**Receptor Sites
**Extra chemicals float around in the synapse,