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biopsychology Flashcards

(110 cards)

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1
Q

Synaptic transmission

A

The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the synaptic cleft that separates them

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2
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another. Can be broadly divided into those that perform an inhibitory or an excitory function

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3
Q

Excitation

A

When a neurotransmitter, such as adrenaline, increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron, increases liklihood that neuron will fire

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4
Q

Inhibition

A

When a neurotransmitter, serotonin, makes the charge of the postsynaptic neuron more negative, decreases liklihood that neuron will fire

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5
Q

Synapse

A

The junction between 2 neurons, includes presynaptic, synaptic cleft and postsynaptic receptor site

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6
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

The space between the post synaptic and presynaptic neuron

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7
Q

Synaptic vesicles

A

Small sacs on the end of the presynaptic neuron that contains neurotransmitters that will be released into a synapse

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8
Q

Presynaptic neuron

A

The transmitting neuron, before the synaptic cleft

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9
Q

Post synaptic receptor site

A

A receptor on the post synaptic neuron site, a neurotransmitter locks into a specific receptor on the post synaptic neuron and this triggers and electrical impulse in the post synaptic neuron

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10
Q

Give 4 examples of neurotransmitters

A

Serotonin
Adrenaline
Noradrenaline
GABA

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11
Q

Summation

A

Whether or not a postsynaptic neuron fires as excitation and inhibition added up to get the net effect of positive or negative

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12
Q

2 effects drugs can have on synaptic transmission

A

Increases the amount of neurotransmitters
Blocks reuptake channels

Decreases amount of neurotransmitters
Blocks the receptors

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13
Q

Brief process of synaptic transmission

A

Action potential arrives at presynaptic neuron
As a result of action potential, vesicles diffuse towards presynaptic membrane
Vesicles bind to the presynaptic membrane and neurotransmitters are released
Neurotransmitters chemically diffuse across the synapse
Neurotransmitters bind to complementary receptors on the postsynaptic neuron membrane and an electrical impulse is subsequently passed on

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14
Q

Neuron

A

The basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals

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15
Q

Sensory neuron

A

These carry messages from the PNS to the CNS, they have long dendrites and short axons

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16
Q

Relay neuron

A

These connect the sensory neuron to the motor and other relay neurons, they have short dendrites and short axons

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17
Q

Motor neuron

A

These connect the CNS to effectors such as the muscles and glands, they have short dendrites and long axons

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18
Q

Cell body

A

Factory of the neuron, it contains the nucleus and produces all of the necessary proteins that a neuron requires to function

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19
Q

Nucleus

A

Genetic material within the neuron

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20
Q

Dendrite

A

Branch like features protrude from the cell body, the carry nerve impulses from neurons towards the cell body

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21
Q

Axon

A

Carries electrical impulses from the cell body down the length of the neuron covered by the myelin sheath

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22
Q

Myelin sheath

A

Fatty layer which surrounds and protects the axon, it helps to speed up the electrical transmission of the impulse

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23
Q

Nodes of ranvier

A

Gaps between the myelin sheath, purpose is to speed up the transmission of the impulse by forcing it to jump across the gaps on the axon

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24
Q

Terminal buttons

A

Located at the end of the axon, communicate with the next neuron on the other side of the synaptic cleft

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25
Location of sensory neuron
Near body's surface
26
Location of relay neuron
Brain and spinal cord Visual system
27
Location of motor neuron
Brain (CNS) linked to muscles
28
Fight or flight response
1. The hypothalamus recognises there is a threat in the environment 2. ANS activates sympathetic nervous system 3. Sympathetic nervous system tells pituitary gland to release ACTH 4. Sends a message to the adrenal gland 5. Adrenal gland releases adrenaline 6. Adrenaline travels via the bloodstream and targets organs in the body which have adrenaline receptors 7. Causes physical changes to occur 8. Above process is fight or flight response and allows body to act 9. Once threat has passed, body returns to normal
29
Adrenaline
Hormone produced be adrenal glands which is part of the body's stress response signal
30
Direct effect of adrenaline
Increased heart rate Constricted blood vessels, increased breathing rate and blood flow Diverts blood away from skin, kidneys and digestive system Increases blood to brain and skeletal muscles Increases respiration and sweating Inhibits saliva production
31
Indirect effects of adrenaline
Prepare body for action Increased blood supply to skeletal muscles for physical action Increased oxygen to brain for rapid response planning
32
Evaluation F or F
Humans engage in initial freeze response Females adopt a tend and befriend Early research typically conducted on males Stresses of modern day life effect fight or flight Biologically reductionist
33
Pituitary gland
Lots of hormones Known as master gland because hormones released stimulate the release of hormones from other glands in the endocrine system
34
Pineal gland
Melatonin Responsible for important biological rhythm such as sleep-wake cycle
35
Thyroid gland
Thyroxine Responsible for regulating metabolism
36
Testes
Testosterone Responsible for development of male sex characteristics during puberty while promoting muscle growth
37
Ovaries
Oestrogen Controls the regulation of the female reproductive system, including menstrual cycle and pregnancy
38
Adrenal gland
Adrenaline Responsible for fight or flight response
39
Pancreas
Insulin Allows body to use glucose from carbohydrates in food for energy or to store glucose for future use, helps keep blood sugar levels stable
40
CNS
consists of brain and spinal cord, passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to PNS
41
PNS
Sends information to the cns from the outside world and transmits messages from cns to muscles and glands in the body
42
Somatic nervous system
Transmits information from receptor cells in the sense organs to the cns, also receives information from cns that directs muscles to contract, receives information from sensory receptors
43
Autonomic nervous system
Transmits information to and from bodily organs, operates involuntarily, governs vital functions of the body
44
Parasympathetic nervous system
Division of the ANS which controls relaxed state conserving resources and promotes digestion and metabolism
45
Sympathetic nervous system
Activates internal organs for vigorous activities and emergencies, decreased digestive activity
46
Nervous system
Human nervous system | | PNS CNS ANS SNS B SC SNS PSNS
47
Sympathetic nervous system effects
Increased heart rate Increased breathing rate Inhibits digestion Contracts rectum Inhibits saliva production Dilates pupils
48
Parasympathetic nervous system effects
Stimulates digestion Stimulates saliva production Decreases heart rate Decreases breathing rate Stimulates rectum Constructs pupils
49
fMRI description
Measures blood flow to the brain when a person performs a task Uses mri technology which detects radiowaves from magnetic fields
50
fMRI strengths
High spacial resolution allows for a detailed picture of the brain Non invasive technique No radiation so safe
51
fMRI limitations
Expensive method less opportunities to take part in research Participant needs to be still Poor temporal resolution
52
EEG description
Records tiny electrical signals produced by brain activity Different wave patterns are measured and used to diagnose certain conditions
53
EEG strengths
High temporal resolution- moment to moment picture of what is happening Inexpensive so more studies
54
EEG limitations
Low spacial resolution- only outer layers
55
ERP description
Brains electrophysical response to specific sensory cognitive of motor events Can be statistically analysed through EEG data Activity related to stimulus
56
ERP strengths
High temporal resolution
57
ERP limitations
Needs to completely eliminate background noise Lack of standardisation makes it difficult to confirm reliability
58
PME description
Brain analysed after death to determine whether certain observed behaviours in life can be linked to abnormalities in the brain
59
PME strength
In depth study of parts of the brain BROCA AND WERNICKE
60
PME limitations
Damage to the brain may be due to decay not deficient - causation Ethical issue of informed consent
61
Localisation
The theory that specific areas of the brain are associated with specific functions such as physical and psychological
62
Holistic theory
All parts of the brain are involved in processing that of thought and action 18th century
63
Phrenology
Detailed study of the size abd shape of the cranium as a supposed indicator of character and mental ability
64
Central core
Brain stem Includes hypothalamus Regulates primitive functions such as breathing or sneezing
65
Limbic system
Controls emotion Hippocampus Key role in memory
66
Cerebrum
Two hemispheres Cortex about 3mm Human cotrex more developed than animals
67
Cortex
Divided into four lobes Frontal Parental Occipital Temporal Different function
68
Motor cortex location
Back of frontal
69
Somatosensory cortex location
Front of parental lobe
70
Visual cortex location
Occupatal lobe
71
Auditory cortex location
Temporal lobe
72
Wernicke's area location
Left temporal lobe
73
Broca's area location
Left frontal lobe
74
Role of motor cortex
Sends nerve impulses to the muscles
75
Damage to motor cortex
Loss of movement on opposite side of which it controls
76
Somatosensory cortex role
Processes sensory information from the skin Pressure, heat, pain
77
Damage to somatosensory cortex
Loss of senses Not sight or hearing
78
Role of visual cortex
Receives and processes information from the optic nerve
79
Damage to visual cortex
Loss of visual cortex
80
Auditory cortex role
Analyse speech based information
81
Auditory complex damage
Loss of hearing
82
Wernickes area role
Comprehension of language
83
Wernickes area damage
Wernickes aphasia Difficulty in comprehending
84
Brocas area role
Speech production
85
Brocas area damage
Brocas aphasia Damage results in slow speech that lacks frequency
86
phineas gage 1848
meter long pole through left cheek, behind left eye out of skull taking most of left frontal lobe goes against hollistic theory frontal lobe responsible for regulating mood
87
contra-lateral
the opposite side of the body to the brain hemisphere that controls it
88
corpus callousum
broad band of fibres that joins the two hemispheres of the brain, this allows communication to occur cutting of the corpus callousum means information cannot be passed between hemispheres
89
plasticity
the brains tendancy to change and adapt (functionally and physically) as a result of experience and new learning
90
functional recovery
a form of plasticity, the brains ability to redistribute or transfer functions following damage or trauma
91
synaptic pruning
as we age, rarely used connections are deleted and frequently used connections are strengthened
92
axonal sprouting
undamaged axons grow new nerve endings to reconnect neurons whose links are injured and severed
93
bridging
where new connections are strengthened due to use or new stimulus
94
the law of equipotentiality
secondary neural circuits surrounding the damaged area become activated. the brain rewires and reorganises itself by forming new synaptic connections close to the area of damage
95
neural unmasking
neural activation of dormant synapses to compensate for damaged areas in the brain
96
reformation of blood vessels
part of the haemodynamic response, where activated areas experience a higher blood deoxygenation level
97
neural reorganisation
the transfer of functions to undamaged areas
98
recruitment of homologous areas
the use of similar areas on the opposite side of the brain to perform certain tasks
99
endogenous pacemakers
internal body clocks that regulate many of our biological rhythms such as SCN on sleep-wake cycle
100
exogenous zeitgebers
external cues that may effect or entrain our biological rhythms, such as the influence of light on the sleep-wake cycle
101
circadian rhythms
sleep-wake cycle melatonin production regulation of body temperature
102
sleep-wake cycle
strongest sleep drive- 2-4am and 1-3pm sleepiness less intense with circadian dips homeostasis controls our need to sleep-if we need more energy, our body tells us to sleep light-exogenous zeitgeber
103
hormone production
melatonin is produced and released from the pineal gland levels peak during hours of darkness by activating synapses in the brain, melatonin encourages feelings of sleep
104
body temperature
lowest at 4am highest at 6pm 36-38 degrees c temp rises during last few hours of sleep the warmer we are, the better our cognitive performance
105
SCN
ball of nerve cells in the hypothalamus of each hemisphere which sends messages to the pineal gland
106
role of SCN
optic chaism detects light SCN sends message to pineal gland light sensitive cells melatonin production light falls- melatonin increases increases drowsiness and biological conditions needed for sleep inhibits mechanisms that promote awake state
107
what social cues can effect sleep-wake cycle
times to eat/ go to bed jet lag
108
infraradian rhythms
more than a day
109
menstrual cycles
can vary between 23-36 days, most commonly 28 rising levels of oestrogen cause ovary to develop an egg and release at day 14 ovulation- oestrogen peak at 16-32 hours after ovulation, progesterone levels increase and uterus lining gets thicker to prepare for pregnancy if pregnancy does not occur, the egg is absorbed into the body and the womb lining leaves the body-menstrual flow
110
SAD
depressive disorder seasonal pattern persistant low mood and general lack of activity and interest in life symptoms triggered during winter months when number of daylight hours is shorter circoannual rhythms is a subjective yearly cycle lack of light means melatonin secretion process continues for longer which leads to knock on effect of seratonin production

psychology (8 decks)

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