[We the Best] AP Psychology

  ☆  seeks to explain the biological mechanisms that underlie behavior -  ⭐  Each human body is unique - ⭐ Darwin's theory of natural selection         ↪ survival of the fittest - animals that are better suited                 to the environment will pass on their traits Sickle Cells Sickle-cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic condition where some of a person's blood cells have a crescent shape This condition still persists in places like Africa because it grants the carriers resistance and immunity to malaria. Those with 2 of the SCA aren't immune to malaria. Carrier -  has one copy of a gene instead of 2; doesn't necessarily show symptoms of diseases resulting from the gene Genetic Variation  - genetic differences between individuals that contribute to a species' adaptation to its environment Phenotype  - physical characteristics with genetic & environmental factors Genotype - genetic makeup of someone Genes  - parts of DNA with instructions for making a protein A

  action potential   - electrical signal that moves through the axon in a neuron adrenal gland -  in endocrine system; secretes hormones agonist  - chemical that mimics neurotransmitters all-or-none - NT gets fully transmitted to the other neuron or doesn't allele - a form of gene amygdala  - in the limbic system; responsible for emotional expression and tying them to memories antagonist -  chemical that blocks neurotransmitter activity auditory cortex - in temporal lobe; for processing information from sound autonomic nervous system - controls involuntary actions in our bodies' organs and glands axon - part of neuron that extends off the soma biological perspective - mental disorders are associated with imbalances in neurotransmitters  Broca’s area - in left hemisphere; for producing language central nervous system (CNS)  - brain and spinal cord cerebellum  - in hindbrain; controls balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills cerebral cortex - makes up a majority of the b

Phineas Gage (1823-1860) Had an accident as a railroad foreman when has was 25 on September 13, 1848 that caused a iron rod to lodge into his head while blasting it down a hole to clear out rocks. Despite this, he was still able to stand, walk, and speak after this incident. In the proceeding months, his behavior changed drastically, changing from a mild soft-spoken man to a violent and odd one that would behave inappropriately. Lost impulse control, a frontal lobe function. It is possible that more than just that part of the brain was impacted.   Henry Molaison (1927-2008) Had a brain surgery in 1953 to treat his case of severe seizures when he was 27. His hippocampus and amygdala were removed from his brain. Although the surgery lessened the severity of his seizures, he was unable to form new memories. Includes things like remembering faces and events that just occurred. However, he could still learn new skills, even though he had no conscious memories of learning them.

 The Finnish Adoptive Family Study of Schizophrenia (2004) Study was led by Tienari and kept track of specific children who were given up for adoption. ⭐Children with biological mothers that had schizophrenia and were raised in a dysfunctional setting were 36.8%   more likely to develop schizophrenia than any other group. Kids who were genetically at higher risk but raised by a healthy family were 5.8% likely to develop schizophrenia. Kids who were genetically at a lower risk but raised by a dysfunctional family were 5.3% likely to develop schizophrenia. Kids who were genetically at a lower risk but raised by a healthy family were 4.8% likely to develop schizophrenia. Conclusion  - schizophrenia develops due to both genetic and environmental factors.