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Chapter 2

Biopsychology

Chapter 2

Biopsychology

Introduction to Biological Bases of Psychology
Biopsychology explores the biological foundations of psychology, examining the relationship between psychological processes and physiological events. It …
Nervous System
The nervous system coordinates body functions through its complex network of nerve cells, enabling sensation and movement. The nervous system has two …
Neurons as Communicators of the Brain
Neurons, the excitable cells of the nervous system, specialize in transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals in the body. A neuron …
Neuronal Communication
Neurons communicate by sending electrochemical signals that travel along their axons to neighboring neurons. When the electrical charge within a neuron …
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters act as chemical messengers in the nervous system, essential for communication between neurons. They regulate physiological and …
Organization of the Brain
The brain is divided into three main sections: the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain. The forebrain is the largest part of the brain and consists …
Cerebral Hemispheres
The human brain cortex is divided into two cerebral hemispheres: the left and the right. The corpus callosum, a robust bundle of neural fibers, connects …
Lobes of the Cerebrum
The cerebral cortex consists of four lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. The frontal lobe situated behind the forehead regulates …
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
The somatosensory cortex, located in the parietal lobe, plays a crucial role in interpreting sensory information, such as touch, temperature, and body …
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord begins at the base of the brain and extends down the middle of the back, serving as a vital communication link between the brain and the …
Lateralization
Brain lateralization refers to the tendency of some cognitive processes or neural functions to be more dominant in one hemisphere of the brain than the …
Human Genetics
Human genetics explores how genes influence physical traits such as height and eye color, behaviors like risk-taking and eating habits, and susceptibility …
Genetic Material
Within the human body, a vast network of trillions of cells functions cohesively. Typically, each cell contains a nucleus with 46 chromosomes,  a …
Genetic Variation
Genetic variation stems from differences in DNA sequences among individuals, which are essential for species adaptation and evolution. Genetic variations …
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
Behavior genetics explores the role of inheritance in shaping human behavior. Researchers use family, twin, and adoption studies to assess heritability by …
Evolutionary Psychology
Evolutionary psychology examines how natural selection, a theory proposed by Charles Darwin influences the development of human behavior and mental …
Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is an inherent characteristic of the nervous system to reorganize itself by creating new neural connections in response to factors or …
Brain Imaging
Brain imaging refers to various techniques used to visualize the structure and activity of the brain. CT scans create three-dimensional images, which are …
The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is composed of glands that secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers crucial for bodily functions. These hormones circulate …
Major Hormones and Their Functions
Hormones are the chemical messengers that coordinate complex processes in the body. Oxytocin is synthesized in the hypothalamus and secreted by the …
Inheritance
Gregor Mendel's principles of inheritance demonstrated how traits are transmitted from parents to offspring and are controlled by distinct units known …
Gene-Environment Interactions
Gene expression is influenced by environmental factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress. The range of reaction suggests …
Heritability
Heritability measures the genetic influence on traits or physical characteristics such as height or eye color. Heritability can vary depending on the …
Natural Selection and Adaptation
Natural selection drives evolution by supporting organisms that are best adapted to their environments, enhancing their survival and reproduction rates. …
Natural Selection and Mating Preferences
The principle of natural selection suggests that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. Evolutionary …
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
In a study involving the mating behavior of heterosexual women and men, people posing as strangers complimented students and then proposed casual sex. …
Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Behavioral endocrinological research in humans as well as in animals suggests that testosterone plays a key role in social interactions. Studies in …
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers – Resting and Developmental Challenges
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) consists of two branches, the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, and controls the function of internal …
Measuring In Vivo Changes in Extracellular Neurotransmitters During Naturally Rewarding Behaviors in Female Syrian Hamsters
The ability to measure neurotransmitter release on a rapid time scale allows patterns of neurotransmission to be linked to specific behaviors or …