1. Week 1 Tutorial PSY/340 Biological Foundations of Psychology

2. Genetics and Heritability

3. Genetics
19th century monk Gregor Mendel developed what became known as Mendelian Genetics
Demonstrated that inheritance occurs through genes
Genes are aligned along chromosomes and come in pairs
A gene is a portion of a chromosome and is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
DNA serves as a model for the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA)
RNA is a single strand chemical that can serve as a template/ model for the synthesis of proteins
Proteins determine the development of the body by:
Forming part of the structure of the body
Serving as enzymes, biological catalysts that regulate chemical reactions in the body

4. Genetics Two main types of chromosomal pairs:
Homozygous – a person has an identical pair of genes on the 2 chromosomes
Heterozygous – a person has an unmatched pair of genes on the two chromosomes
Genes are either Dominant or Recessive
Dominant – shows a strong effect in either the homozygous or heterozygous
Recessive – shows its effect only in the homozygous condition

5. Genetics Types of Genes:
Autosomal genes: all other genes except for sex- linked genes
Sex-linked genes: genes located on the sex chromosomes
During reproduction:
Females contribute an X chromosome
Males contribute either an X or a Y chromosome that determines the sex of the child
The human Y chromosome has genes for 27 proteins, while the X chromosome has genes for approximately 1500 proteins.
The reason why sex-linked genes usually refer to an X-linked gene.
Sex-limited genes: genes that are present in both sexes but mainly have an effect on one sex (chest hair, breast size, etc.)

6. Heredity
Heritability refers to how much characteristics depend on genetic differences
Researchers have found evidence for heritability in almost every behavior they have tested
Heritability of a certain trait is specific to a given population
Strong environmental influences may cause genetic influences to have less of an effect

7. Heredity
Research has found that genes do not directly produce behaviors
Genes produce proteins that increase the probability that a behavior will develop under certain circumstances
Genes can also have an indirect affect
Genes can alter your environment by producing behaviors or traits that alter how people in your environment react to you

8. The Nervous System

9. The Nervous System
Central nervous system (CNS): Control center of the nervous system
Peripheral nervous system (PNS): connects the CNS to the rest of the body

10. The Nervous System Central nervous system (CNS)
Includes the brain and the spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Somatic nervous system: consists of axons conveying messages from the sense organs to the CNS and from the CNS to the muscles
Autonomic nervous system: controls the heart, intestines, and other organs
Has some cell bodies within the brain or spinal cord or in clusters along the sides of the spinal cord

11. The Lobes of the Brain

12. The Lobes of the Brain
Normal text
Bullet
Sub-bullet

13. The Occipital Lobe
Located at the posterior end of the cerebral cortex
Also referred to as the striate cortex or the primary visual cortex
Highly responsible for visual input
Damage can result in cortical blindness

14. The Parietal Lobe Contains the primary somatosensory cortex
Primary target for touch sensations and information from muscle-stretch receptors and joint receptors
Also responsible for processing and integrating information about eye, head and body positions from information sent from muscles and joints

15. The Temporal Lobe
Located on the lateral portion of each hemisphere near the temples
Target for auditory information and essential for processing spoken language
Also responsible for complex aspects of vision, including movement and some emotional and motivational behaviors
Klüver-Bucy syndrome associated with temporal lobe damage

16. The Frontal Lobe
Contains the prefrontal cortex and the precentral gyrus
Precentral gyrus: also known as the primary motor cortex; responsible for the control of fine motor movement
Prefrontal cortex: the integration center for all sensory information and other areas of the cortex
Responsible for higher functions such as abstract thinking and planning
Responsible for our ability to remember recent events and information
People with damage to the prefrontal cortex exhibit delayed-response task: have to respond to something they see or hear after a delay

17. Applying What You Know

18. Match the name on the left with the structure on the right.
Instructions
Match the name on the left with the structure on the right.
Keep trying until you get all answers correct.

19. Structures of the Brain Practice
Medulla
Pituitary Gland
Amygdala
Occipital Lobe
Corpus Collosum
Cerebellum
Temporal Lobe
Hypothalamus
Hippocampus
Cerebrum
Frontal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Spinal Cord
Basal Ganglia
Pons
Thalamus