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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of behavioral genetics?
What is the primary focus of behavioral genetics?
Which type of twin study involves twins coming from one zygote?
Which type of twin study involves twins coming from one zygote?
What does the heritability coefficient measure?
What does the heritability coefficient measure?
How does epigenetics affect gene expression over time?
How does epigenetics affect gene expression over time?
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What is one example of a survival adaptation mentioned?
What is one example of a survival adaptation mentioned?
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What happens once the threshold level is reached in a neuron?
What happens once the threshold level is reached in a neuron?
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What occurs during repolarization of the neuron?
What occurs during repolarization of the neuron?
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What is hyperpolarization?
What is hyperpolarization?
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What is the primary function of myelin in myelinated axons?
What is the primary function of myelin in myelinated axons?
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The period during which another action potential cannot be generated is known as:
The period during which another action potential cannot be generated is known as:
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How do neurotransmitters interact with neurons?
How do neurotransmitters interact with neurons?
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What is the resting potential of a typical neuron?
What is the resting potential of a typical neuron?
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What role does the Central Nervous System (CNS) play in the body?
What role does the Central Nervous System (CNS) play in the body?
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What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?
What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?
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Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for keeping the cell alive?
Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for keeping the cell alive?
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What role does the myelin sheath play in neuronal communication?
What role does the myelin sheath play in neuronal communication?
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Which type of cells compose the myelin sheath?
Which type of cells compose the myelin sheath?
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What are the two main divisions of the nervous system referred to in behavioral neuroscience?
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system referred to in behavioral neuroscience?
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What is one factor that can influence behavior, according to neuroscience?
What is one factor that can influence behavior, according to neuroscience?
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Which statement accurately describes the structure of neurons?
Which statement accurately describes the structure of neurons?
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What is one of the common neuroimaging techniques mentioned in neuroscience?
What is one of the common neuroimaging techniques mentioned in neuroscience?
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What happens to the myelin sheath in multiple sclerosis?
What happens to the myelin sheath in multiple sclerosis?
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What role do sensory neurons play in the nervous system?
What role do sensory neurons play in the nervous system?
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What is the resting membrane potential of a neuron?
What is the resting membrane potential of a neuron?
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During depolarization, what primarily happens to the interior of the neuron?
During depolarization, what primarily happens to the interior of the neuron?
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What triggers an action potential in a neuron?
What triggers an action potential in a neuron?
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What is the primary focus of evolutionary psychology?
What is the primary focus of evolutionary psychology?
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What is the role of interneurons in the nervous system?
What is the role of interneurons in the nervous system?
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Which of the following statements best describes the process of chemical transmission?
Which of the following statements best describes the process of chemical transmission?
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Which characteristic is generally more attractive to women in the context of sexual strategies theory?
Which characteristic is generally more attractive to women in the context of sexual strategies theory?
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What effect does potassium (K+) have during the neuron's action potential?
What effect does potassium (K+) have during the neuron's action potential?
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What role do hormones play in behavior according to behavioral endocrinology?
What role do hormones play in behavior according to behavioral endocrinology?
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In the context of mate strategies, what is often prioritized by men?
In the context of mate strategies, what is often prioritized by men?
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How do psychological adaptations interact with culture?
How do psychological adaptations interact with culture?
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Which factor is least likely to influence human mating strategies according to sexual strategies theory?
Which factor is least likely to influence human mating strategies according to sexual strategies theory?
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What impact can the presence of others have on an individual's behavior?
What impact can the presence of others have on an individual's behavior?
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What is the main characteristic that women look for in mates according to evolutionary psychology?
What is the main characteristic that women look for in mates according to evolutionary psychology?
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Study Notes
The Nervous System
- The nervous system is the body's communication network.
- It conveys electrochemical information throughout the body.
- It is composed of two major divisions, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
Central Nervous System
- Composed of the brain and spinal cord.
- Processes sensory information and sends electrochemical signals to the peripheral nervous system.
Peripheral Nervous System
- Connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles.
What are Neurons?
- Building blocks of the nervous system.
- Receive and send electrochemical messages.
- All neurons have the same basic structure but vary by function and location in the nervous system.
Components of the Neuron
- Dendrites: Receive information from other neurons and send it to the cell body.
- Soma (cell body): Coordinates information processing and keeps the cell alive.
- Axon: Transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Myelin Sheath
- An insulating layer of fatty material that covers many axons.
- Helps transmit signals quickly.
- Composed of glial cells.
- Demyelination diseases like multiple sclerosis cause the myelin sheath to deteriorate, slowing the transmission of signals.
Synapse
- The gap between two neurons, where neurons communicate with one another.
Major Types of Neurons
- Sensory neurons: Receive information from the outside world and convey it to the brain via the spinal cord.
- Interneurons: Connect sensory and motor neurons.
- Motor neurons: Initiate movement by carrying signals from the spinal cord to the muscles.
Communication within and between Neurons
- Two stages of communication:
- Electrical conduction: Moving an electric signal within a neuron.
- Chemical transmission: Transmitting electric signals from one neuron to another via the synapse.
The Resting Membrane Potential
- When the cell membrane is at rest and not receiving information, there is a difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane.
- The inside of the cell is more negatively charged than the outside.
- The potential is around -70 millivolts (mV).
- More sodium (Na+) is outside the cell, and more potassium (K+) is inside the cell.
Depolarization
- When a neuron receives a signal, Na+ channels open, allowing Na+ ions to flow into the cell.
- This reduces the negative charge inside the cell, making it more positive.
- If the charge reaches the threshold (-50 to -55 mV), it will trigger an action potential.
Action Potential
- The all-or-nothing principle: An action potential will always fire once the threshold is reached.
- The size of the action potential is the same for any neuron (+30 to +40 mV at peak).
- An action potential moves the signal all the way down the axon.
Repolarization
- Returning to the resting membrane potential.
- Na+ channels close, and K+ channels open, allowing K+ to move out of the cell.
- K+ channels remain open even after reaching the resting membrane potential, causing the membrane potential to move beyond -70 mV (to -80 mV).
- Refractory period: Another action potential is not possible during this stage.
Hyperpolarization
- K+ channels close, allowing the return to the resting potential of -70 mV.
- The neuron can now generate another action potential.
Action Potential in Myelinated Axons
- Myelin speeds up the process of signal transmission.
- When an electric current passes down the myelinated axon, the charge jumps from node to node.
- Saltatory conduction: Helps speed the flow of information down the axon.
Release of Neurotransmitters
- Neurotransmitters float across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on a nearby dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron (receiving neuron).
- Neurotransmitters and receptor sites act like a lock and key system.
Brain Development
- The brain develops rapidly during the first two years of life.
- Connections between neurons are strengthened through experiences.
Divisions of the Nervous System
- Central Nervous System: Brain and Spinal Cord
- Peripheral Nervous System: Connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles.
Nature-Nurture
- Behavioral Genetics: Studies how genes and environments work together to influence behavior.
- Adoption Studies: Compare adopted individuals with their biological and adoptive parents.
- Twin Studies: Compare monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins.
Twin Studies and Heritability
- Monozygotic twins: Share 100% of their DNA.
- Dizygotic twins: Share 50% of their DNA.
- Heritability Coefficient: A measure of genetics' influence on a trait, ranging from 0 to 1.
More Genetic Similarity, More Similarity in Behavior
- Individuals who are more genetically related are more similar in traits such as height, weight, intelligence, behaviors, attitudes, personalities, and mental illness.
The Importance of Environment
- Not all behavior traits are completely inherited.
- Both genes and environment significantly shape traits.
- Genes interact with the environment (GxE).
Epigenetics
- The environment can change the way genes are expressed.
- Identical twins become less similar over time due to individual experiences.
- This can affect their susceptibility to serious illness.
Evolutionary Psychology
- Focuses on psychological adaptations that have evolved to solve problems of survival or reproduction.
- Psychological adaptations interact with culture.
Evolutionary Psychology Theories
- Sexual Strategies Theory: Individuals have evolved a menu of mating strategies based on culture, social context, parental influence, and personal mate value.
Factors that influence behavior/mood
-
Hormones:
- Androgens may influence aggression.
- Cortisol is associated with parental behavior.
- Oxytocin is linked to love.
-
Social Influence:
- The presence of others impacts stress levels.
- Social support can buffer stress.
Important Concepts
- Glial cells: Support cells in the nervous system that can digest dead neurons, provide nutritional support, and form myelin.
- Myelin: An insulating layer of fatty material that speeds up signal transmission in neurons.
- Action potential: A brief electrical signal transmitted down the axon.
- Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons.
- Saltatory conduction: The jumping of an electrical signal from node to node in a myelinated axon, which speeds up transmission.
- Heritability Coefficient: A measure of the degree to which variation in a trait is due to genetic differences.
- Epigenetics: The study of how environment influences gene expression.
- Sexual Strategies Theory: A theory that proposes that humans have evolved a variety of mating strategies that are chosen based on various factors.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential components of the nervous system, focusing on its two major divisions: the central and peripheral nervous systems. You will explore the structure and function of neurons, including their components such as dendrites, soma, and axon. Test your knowledge of how this intricate communication network operates within the body.
