3Biopsychology
3.1Human Genetics
If psychology is mainly about the mind, why do psychologists study genetics?
Psychological researchers study genetics in order to better understand the biological factors that
contribute to certain behaviors.
How does natural selection lead to evolution? What happens to the surviving organisms over
time?
). In simple terms, the theory states that organisms that are better suited for their environment
will survive and reproduce, while those that are poorly suited for their environment will die off.
Remember: - Genes are made up of DNA and are inherited. - But we see many differences
between parents and offspring due to alleles, phenotypes, and those traits controlled by multiple
genes.
Most traits are controlled by multiple genes, but some traits are controlled by one gene.
Describe range of reaction.
Range of reaction asserts that our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate,
This is an evolving field that has often been described as genes "carrying memory." Note: It's
important to realize that such "memory" is different from the one we carry in our minds.
epigenetics
3.2Cells of the Nervous System
Neurons and the nervous system contain a number of structures and engage in detailed processes.
You may want to look up videos on neurons and nervous system communication to get more
information.
Neurons, on the other hand, serve as interconnected information processors that are essential for
all of the tasks of the nervous system.
What is reuptake?
Reuptake involves the neurotransmitter being pumped back into the neuron that released it, in
order to clear the synapse
Note: Part of the reason we study the nervous system is because it is deeply related to our
psychology and especially related to treatments.
Psychotropic medications are drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring
neurotransmitter balance.
3.3Parts of the Nervous System
What is the somatic nervous system?
The somatic nervous system is associated with activities traditionally thought of as conscious or
voluntary.
What is the autonamic nervous system?
The autonomic nervous system controls our internal organs and glands
A series of physiological changes that allows the body to fight off a threat or run away to safety
is called what?
fight or flight response
Something to note: the "fight or flight" response does not imply humans always either fight or
run away. A similar response can be seen in stressful situations such as a verbal argument
(especially a surprise one), presentation, etc.
For example, think about how you feel when you have to stand up and give a presentation in
front of a roomful of people, or right before taking a big test. You are in no real physical danger
, in those situations, and yet you have evolved to respond to a perceived threat with the fight or
flight response.
3.4The Brain and Spinal Cord
Note the distinctions here and understand that "cord" is something of an oversimplification.
The top of the spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that merges with the brain stem, where the basic
processes of life are controlled, such as breathing and digestion. In the opposite direction, the
spinal cord ends just below the ribs—contrary to what we might expect, it does not extend all the
way to the base of the spine.
As you learn about different aspects of psychology, and later about disorders, you should
consider the parts of the brain affected. An ability to reason or an issue with reasoning may be
related to functions of the cerebral cortex.
The cerebral cortex, which is the outer surface of the brain, is associated with higher level
processes such as consciousness, thought, emotion, reasoning, language, and memory.
What does each lobe of the brain control?
The frontal lobe is located in the forward part of the brain, extending back to a fissure known as
the central sulcus. The frontal lobe is involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and
language. It contains the motor cortex, which is involved in planning and coordinating
movement; the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning;
and Broca’s area, which is essential for language production.
Keep this term in mind as you learn about sensation and perception.
somatosensory cortex, which is essential for processing sensory information from across the
body, such as touch, temperature, and pain.
You will learn more about the hippocampus in chapter 8.
The hippocampus is an essential structure for learning and memory.
You will learn more about hypothalamus while discussing sleep, emotion, and stress.
hypothalamus regulates a number of homeostatic processes,
What brain imaging technology is helpful for showing activity in different parts of the brain?
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans create pictures of the living, active brain
Why is it helpful for psychologists to be able to compare brain images belonging to two different
people?
With their high level of detail, MRI and fMRI are often used to compare the brains of healthy
individuals to the brains of individuals diagnosed with psychological disorders.
3.5The Endocrine System
The endocrine system and its major glands.
3.1Human Genetics
If psychology is mainly about the mind, why do psychologists study genetics?
Psychological researchers study genetics in order to better understand the biological factors that
contribute to certain behaviors.
How does natural selection lead to evolution? What happens to the surviving organisms over
time?
). In simple terms, the theory states that organisms that are better suited for their environment
will survive and reproduce, while those that are poorly suited for their environment will die off.
Remember: - Genes are made up of DNA and are inherited. - But we see many differences
between parents and offspring due to alleles, phenotypes, and those traits controlled by multiple
genes.
Most traits are controlled by multiple genes, but some traits are controlled by one gene.
Describe range of reaction.
Range of reaction asserts that our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate,
This is an evolving field that has often been described as genes "carrying memory." Note: It's
important to realize that such "memory" is different from the one we carry in our minds.
epigenetics
3.2Cells of the Nervous System
Neurons and the nervous system contain a number of structures and engage in detailed processes.
You may want to look up videos on neurons and nervous system communication to get more
information.
Neurons, on the other hand, serve as interconnected information processors that are essential for
all of the tasks of the nervous system.
What is reuptake?
Reuptake involves the neurotransmitter being pumped back into the neuron that released it, in
order to clear the synapse
Note: Part of the reason we study the nervous system is because it is deeply related to our
psychology and especially related to treatments.
Psychotropic medications are drugs that treat psychiatric symptoms by restoring
neurotransmitter balance.
3.3Parts of the Nervous System
What is the somatic nervous system?
The somatic nervous system is associated with activities traditionally thought of as conscious or
voluntary.
What is the autonamic nervous system?
The autonomic nervous system controls our internal organs and glands
A series of physiological changes that allows the body to fight off a threat or run away to safety
is called what?
fight or flight response
Something to note: the "fight or flight" response does not imply humans always either fight or
run away. A similar response can be seen in stressful situations such as a verbal argument
(especially a surprise one), presentation, etc.
For example, think about how you feel when you have to stand up and give a presentation in
front of a roomful of people, or right before taking a big test. You are in no real physical danger
, in those situations, and yet you have evolved to respond to a perceived threat with the fight or
flight response.
3.4The Brain and Spinal Cord
Note the distinctions here and understand that "cord" is something of an oversimplification.
The top of the spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that merges with the brain stem, where the basic
processes of life are controlled, such as breathing and digestion. In the opposite direction, the
spinal cord ends just below the ribs—contrary to what we might expect, it does not extend all the
way to the base of the spine.
As you learn about different aspects of psychology, and later about disorders, you should
consider the parts of the brain affected. An ability to reason or an issue with reasoning may be
related to functions of the cerebral cortex.
The cerebral cortex, which is the outer surface of the brain, is associated with higher level
processes such as consciousness, thought, emotion, reasoning, language, and memory.
What does each lobe of the brain control?
The frontal lobe is located in the forward part of the brain, extending back to a fissure known as
the central sulcus. The frontal lobe is involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and
language. It contains the motor cortex, which is involved in planning and coordinating
movement; the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-level cognitive functioning;
and Broca’s area, which is essential for language production.
Keep this term in mind as you learn about sensation and perception.
somatosensory cortex, which is essential for processing sensory information from across the
body, such as touch, temperature, and pain.
You will learn more about the hippocampus in chapter 8.
The hippocampus is an essential structure for learning and memory.
You will learn more about hypothalamus while discussing sleep, emotion, and stress.
hypothalamus regulates a number of homeostatic processes,
What brain imaging technology is helpful for showing activity in different parts of the brain?
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans create pictures of the living, active brain
Why is it helpful for psychologists to be able to compare brain images belonging to two different
people?
With their high level of detail, MRI and fMRI are often used to compare the brains of healthy
individuals to the brains of individuals diagnosed with psychological disorders.
3.5The Endocrine System
The endocrine system and its major glands.
