Biological Approach Flashcards
(24 cards)
Methods to study the brain
Autopsies
examining the brains of corpses
Methods to study the brain
Selective Destruction
destroying specific parts of the brain to seeing the behavioural
Methods to study the brain - brain imaging
Functional
able to see the activity not the structure
Methods to study the brain - brain imaging
Structural
able to see the structure not the activity
Methods to study the brain
MRI - advantage
high resolution, little risk
Methods to study the brain
MRI - disadvantage
doesn’t indicate function
Methods to study the brain
fMRI - advantage
easy to carry out, little risk
Methods to study the brain
fMRI - disadvantage
unnatural setting, may not have ecological validity
Genetics and behaviour
Genotype
variants of a gene present in one’s DNA
Genetics and behaviour
Phenotype
individual characteristics (appearance or behaviour)
Genetics and behaviour
Monozygotic twins share….
100% of their genotype
Genetics and behaviour
Offspring share….
50% of their genotype
Neuroplasticity
Synaptic Plasticity
the ability of neurons to form new synaptic connections and break up old ones
Neuroplasticity
synaptic pruning
nerve cells making new connections with eachother
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmission
the chemical communication between neurones
Neurotransmitters
first step in the process of neurotransmission
NT are transmitte by presynaptic neurone
Neurotransmitters
second step in the process of neurotransmission
NT drifts across the synaptic clef and binds to the post-synaptic neurone
Neurotransmitters
third step in the process of neurotransmission
NT either excites or inhibits post-synaptic neurone
Neurotransmitters
final step in the process of neurotransmission
NT is released and either is reabsorbed by the presynaptic neurone for future use or diffuses away
Localisation of Function
strict localisation
specific parts of the brain are soley responsible for specific functions
Localisation of Function
Holism
functions of the brain are the result of the brain working as a whole, not specific regions
Localisation of Function
Principal of Equipotentiality
ability of intact parts of brain to carry out functions of destroyed parts
Localisation of Function
Research supporting relative localisation
maguire and draganski
Localisation of Function
relative localisation
specific parts may be responsible for certain functions but not exclusively
