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Questions and Answers
Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the modulation of mood and learning?
Which of the following neurotransmitters is associated with the regulation of anxiety and the expression of seizures?
What role does an agonist play in neurotransmitter interaction?
Which neurotransmitter is essential for voluntary movement control?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding agonists and antagonists?
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What is the main focus of behavioral genetics?
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Which statement best represents the interactionist model as proposed by Rose (1995)?
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What key concept in evolutionary psychology emphasizes the importance of reproductive success?
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Which of the following is NOT typically studied in the context of behavioral genetics?
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How does evolutionary psychology explain taste preferences?
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What is the primary role of endorphins in the body?
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Which component of the nervous system is primarily responsible for voluntary motor control?
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Which part of the brain is primarily involved in processing emotions and memory?
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What distinguishes the afferent pathways in the nervous system?
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In which part of the brain is the thalamus located?
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Which system is primarily responsible for the body's 'fight-or-flight' response?
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What is the main function of the cerebral cortex?
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Which structure in the hindbrain is crucial for regulating basic life functions?
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Which hormone is secreted by the pancreas to help control sugar metabolism?
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What is the term for genes that can be either homozygous or heterozygous?
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Which gland is primarily responsible for the secretion of aldosterone?
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Which category does the study of the influence of genetic factors on behavioral traits fall under?
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How many pairs of chromosomes do humans typically have?
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What is the main function of cortisol in the body?
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Which hormone is NOT secreted by the adrenal gland?
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What is characterized by a succession of 1000s of genes found on chromosomes?
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What is the primary function associated with the left hemisphere of the brain?
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Which area of the brain is specifically associated with language production?
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What is a consequence of a severed corpus callosum, as observed in split-brain research?
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In split-brain studies, what does an image presented to the left visual field allow the individual to do?
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Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for sensory perception and integration?
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What type of processing is primarily handled by the right hemisphere?
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What is the term for the impairment in language production and understanding?
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Who was awarded the Nobel Prize for work related to split-brain research?
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When an object is identified in the right hand, what ability is utilized?
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Which of the following is NOT typically a function associated with the left hemisphere of the brain?
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Study Notes
Twin Studies
- Compare the resemblance of identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins.
- Adoption studies help to further understand the influence of genes and environment on behavior.
Modern Approaches to the Nature vs. Nurture Debate
- Molecular Genetics: Examines the biochemical basis of genetic inheritance.
- Genetic Mapping: Locates specific genes; the Human Genome Project (2003) mapped the entire human genome.
Behavioral Genetics
- The Interactionist Model: We inherit predispositions, not destinies. (Richard Rose, 1995)
Evolutionary Psychology
- Behavior can be understood in terms of adaptive significance
- Based on Darwin's idea of Natural Selection
- Reproductive success is key
- Adaptations are both behavioral and physical
Examples of Evolutionary Adaptations
- Fight-or-flight response
- Taste preferences
- Parental investment
- Mating
Alzheimers Disease
- Affects motor neurons and voluntary muscles
- Implicated in attention and memory
Neurotransmitters
- Specific neurotransmitters work at specific synapses, acting like a "lock and key".
- Agonist: Mimics a neurotransmitter's action
- Antagonist: Opposes the action of a neurotransmitter
Examples of Neurotransmitters & Agonists/Antagonists
- Nicotine: Acts as an agonist
- Curare: Acts as an antagonist
Monoamines
- Norepinephrine (NE): Found in CNS and PNS neurons; modulates mood, arousal, and learning.
- Serotonin (5-HT): Critical for sleep-wakefulness; implicated in aggression, eating disorders.
- Dopamine (DA): Important for voluntary movement.
Amino Acids
- GABA (and glycine): Major inhibitory neurotransmitters; regulates anxiety, expression of seizures, and modulation of sleep.
Endorphins
- Endogenous opiates; provide pain relief and pleasurable emotions (the "runner's high").
Neuroplasticity
- The brain's ability to reorganize itself throughout the lifespan.
Nervous System
- Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
-
Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements
- Afferent: Nerves that carry information toward the CNS
- Efferent: Nerves that carry information away from the CNS
-
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Controls involuntary bodily functions
- Sympathetic: "Fight or flight" response
- Parasympathetic: "Rest and digest" response
Brain Structures
- Brain: The center of the nervous system
- Spinal Cord: A bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body
- Meninges: Membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord
Sections of the Brain
- Hindbrain: Medulla, pons, reticular formation, cerebellum
- Midbrain: Substantia nigra, reticular formation, tectum
- Diencephalon: Thalamus, hypothalamus
- Limbic System: Amygdala, hippocampus (and parts of the thalamus and hypothalamus)
- Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain; responsible for higher mental functions.
The Cerebral Cortex
- A folded band of tissue known as "grey matter" is responsible for higher mental functions.
- Connects to the thalamus.
- Ridges (gyri), valleys (sulci) or fissures
Cerebral Hemispheres
- Two specialized halves of the cerebrum, separated by the longitudinal fissure.
- Connected by the corpus callosum
Hemispheric Specialization
- Left Hemisphere: Verbal processing; language (speech, reading, writing)
- Right Hemisphere: Nonverbal processing; spatial, musical, visual recognition
Aphasia
- Impairment in language production and understanding, including reading and writing.
- Broca's area (speech), Wernicke's area (language understanding), on the left side of the brain.
Split-Brain Research
- Roger Sperry (1981 Nobel Prize) studied patients with severe epilepsy who had undergone a surgery to sever the corpus callosum.
- Consequences: No transfer of sensory information between the hemispheres.
- Image to the right visual field: verbal identification.
- Image to the left visual field: manual identification.
- Object in the right hand: verbal identification.
- Object in the left hand: no verbal identification, but picture identification.
Frontal Lobe
- Contains the somatosensory cortex: integration of sensory perceptions (touch, temperature, pain).
The Endocrine System
- Network of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
- Hormone Secretion:
- Pituitary Gland: "Master gland"; controls other endocrine glands.
- Thyroid Gland: Regulates metabolism.
- Parathyroid Gland: Regulates calcium levels.
- Adrenal Glands: Secrete hormones (cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine) that control salt and carb metabolism.
- Pancreas: Secretes insulin and glucagon to control sugar metabolism.
- Gonads: Secrete sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone).
Genes and Behavior
- Behavioral Genetics: Study of the influence of genetic factors on behavior.
- Chromosomes: Strands of DNA that carry genetic information; humans have 23 pairs (except gametes).
- Genes: Segments of DNA that code for specific traits; each chromosome carries thousands of genes.
- Genes can be dominant or recessive, homozygous or heterozygous.
- Genotype: Genetic makeup.
- Phenotype: Observable characteristics.
- Polygenic inheritance: Multiple genes contribute to a single trait.
Research Methods in Behavioral Genetics
- Family studies: Do traits run in the family?
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Description
Explore the interplay of genetics and behavior through twin and adoption studies. Dive into modern approaches like molecular genetics and the role of evolutionary psychology in understanding human adaptations. This quiz covers major theories, examples, and implications of genetic influences on behavior.
