A. dendrites Bushy fibers of one end of the Are stimulated into activity by
neuron that receive information neurotransmitters
B. axon Pass the information through the The path of the electrical
cell from the dendrites impulse (action potential) thru
neuron
C. myelin Layer of fatty tissue that insulates Speeds the electrical impulse
sheath the axon of some neurons down the axon; degenerated
by multiple sclerosis
D. axon The end of the neuron Upon stimulation it released
terminal neurotransmitters into the
synapse or takes them back up
(reuptake)
E. synapse The tiny gap between dendrites and The space btw where the
axon terminals neurotransmitters move from
axon terminal to dendrites
F. vesicles Tiny, near spherical packets within Stores the NT until the action
the axon terminal that contain high potential triggers its release
concentrations of neurotransmitters into the synapse
Types of Neurons
• Sensory (afferent) vs. • Interneurons: central
Motor (efferent) neurons: nervous system neurons
• Sensory/afferent neurons that internally
take messages away from communicate and
sensory organs to the intervene between the
brain. sensory inputs and
• Motor/efferent neurons motor outputs. We
take messages from the have billions and
brain to the muscles billions of these.
resulting in motor tasks.
Neural communication in the cell
• Neurons are either excited or inhibited and it
is “all or nothing”…most votes wins!
Neural communication in the cell
• When “excited” an
electrical impulse called
an action potential
travels down the axon
and it is propagated by
the opening and closing
of sodium and
potassium “gates.”
Neural communication between cells
• A synapse (gap) exists
between an axon and a
neighboring dendrite.
When stimulated the
axon terminal will
release
neurotransmitters into
the synapse wear they
will travel to excite the
next neuron.
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter Effect
Fraternal
Genetics & Behavior
• Identical twins share identical genes and very
similar developmental environments
• Fraternal twins share 50% of the same genes
and very similar developmental environments
• Separated identical twins share identical
genes but very different developmental
environments.
Genetics & Behavior
• Research shows that identical twins are much
more similar behaviorally than non-identical
twins.
• Lykken & McGue found that you are 5.5 times
more likely to divorce if your identical twin had
divorced.
• Loehlin & Nichols found identical twins to be
more similar in abilities, personal traits, and
interests, regardless of parental treatment.
Genetics & Behavior
• Genetically identical twins reared apart in different
families have consistently shown significant
similarities in personality, interests, and behaviors.
Those reared together are even more similar.
• Genetically identical twins reared apart have more in
common than fraternal twins reared apart.
• Though some researchers feel this may be all due to
“chance,” (Besides, how many sets of identical twins
reared apart actually exist?) adoption studies
strengthen the genetic argument in that adopted
children are often NOT similar to their adoptive
parents.
Nature vs. Nurture
• “Nurture works on what nature endows.”
• Example: Some people are physiologically more
prone to eating disorders, but the
environment/culture to which they are exposed
can/will enhance their chances or developing an
eating disorder.
• What implications does knowing one’s genetic
make up and “risk” factors have for our future?
Behavioral geneticists vs. Evolutionary
psychologists
• Behavioral geneticists are interested in what
makes us unique and in how and why we
differ from one another.
• Evolutionary psychologists focus on how we
are alike as humans, what commonalities we
share.
– All people in all cultures show favor to sweet and
fatty foods because the consumption of these are
beneficial to survival of famine. Unfortunately,
today famine is not often a risk factor, yet we still
are driven to consume fatty foods >> obesity.
Mean Genes is a book
by Drs. Terry Burnham
and Jay Phelan that
explores the genetic
explanations for our
behaviors such as
spending habits, eating
habits, intimacy, and
mating.
Environmental Factors
• Prenatal environment: prenatal care, placentas, etc.
• Enriched environment: “Those with the most toys
win!” Without exposure to written or signed
language prior to adolescence one will never master
it.
• Parenting: Has its greatest influence when extreme
(abusive, neglectful, etc.)
• Peer Influence: The selection of peers makes it
powerful. A child is more likely to become a smoker if
peers smoke but not if parents smoke.
• Parent decisions (like where to live) will influence peer
selection.