Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psyc201 Mid Tri Test > Brain Development > Flashcards

Brain Development Flashcards

(104 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is one advantage of studying brain damage?

A

It helps us learn about the roles of specific brain areas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a limitation of studying human brain lesions?

A

Lesions are often large and cover multiple regions; difficult to find similar cases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How do animal studies improve lesion research?

A

Use of local electrolytic or chemical lesions allows more precision.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the downside of electrical lesions?

A

They destroy both cells and passing fibers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the benefit of chemical lesions?

A

They destroy only specific cells, sparing fibers of passage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is intercranial self-stimulation?

A

An animal will self-stimulate brain areas linked to reward.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How is brain stimulation used in Parkinson’s treatment?

A

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used to modulate motor circuits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is ablation?

A

Surgical removal of brain areas, usually with a knife.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does a stereotaxic instrument do?

A

Allows precise placement of electrodes in the brain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a sham lesion?

A

A control where all steps are done but no damage is made.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a chemical injection used for in brain research?

A

Temporarily disables specific types of synapses.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the gene-knockout approach?

A

Mutates a gene to study the role of specific cells/receptors.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)?

A

Magnetic pulses to the scalp that temporarily turn neurons on/off.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are electrodes used for in stimulation?

A

Stimulate neurons using small electrical currents.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is optogenetics?

A

Using light to control neurons that have been genetically modified to respond to it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the 3 steps of optogenetics?

A
  1. Discover light-sensitive proteins,
  2. Use viruses to insert them in neurons,
  3. Shine light via optical fibers.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why are zebrafish used in research?

A

They are transparent and can be made to fluoresce in specific brain areas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How have electrodes advanced in neuroscience?

A

Now capable of recording hundreds of neurons simultaneously.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is an EEG used for?

A

Measures electrical activity in the brain through the scalp.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are EEG’s strengths and limitations?

A

High temporal resolution, but low spatial resolution—mainly cortical.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is an MEG?

A

Measures magnetic fields generated by brain activity; great for tracking fast changes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What does a PET scan do?

A

Uses radioactive glucose to map brain activity in detail.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Why are PET scans rarely used in large samples?

A

They’re expensive, time-consuming, and involve radioactivity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is an MRI?

A

Uses magnets to measure water molecule energy release; detailed images.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What does fMRI measure?
Hemoglobin changes related to oxygen use—shows active brain areas.
26
What are two findings from fMRI research?
1. Placebo reduces pain responses; 2. Most memory tasks activate the same areas differently.
27
What was phrenology?
The (incorrect) idea that skull bumps reflect brain functions.
28
What is a CT/CAT scan used for?
Detecting tumors and abnormalities with x-ray imaging enhanced by dye.
29
How does MRI differ from CT?
MRI uses magnetic fields and provides more detailed, radiation-free images.
30
Why are large samples needed in MRI research?
To account for natural brain variability and get reliable results.
31
What are genes?
Units of heredity that maintain structural identity across generations.
32
What is the difference between dominant and recessive genes?
Dominant genes affect development in both homozygous and heterozygous states; recessive genes only in homozygous state.
33
What are chromosomes?
Strands of genes that come in pairs.
34
What is DNA?
A double-stranded molecule that serves as a model for RNA.
35
What is RNA?
A single-stranded chemical involved in protein synthesis.
36
Define homozygous and heterozygous.
Homozygous: two identical genes; Heterozygous: two different genes.
37
What causes gene changes?
Mutations, microduplications, and microdeletions.
38
What is epigenetics?
Changes in gene expression due to environmental factors, not DNA sequence.
39
What are histones?
Proteins that DNA wraps around, affecting gene expression.
40
Define sex-linked genes.
Genes located on sex chromosomes (X or Y).
41
What are sex-limited genes?
Genes present in both sexes but active primarily in one.
42
What is heritability?
An estimate of genetic contribution to variation (0 to 1 scale).
43
How do researchers study heritability?
By comparing traits in adopted children vs. biological and adoptive parents.
44
Define monozygotic and dizygotic twins.
Monozygotic: from one egg (identical); Dizygotic: from two eggs (fraternal).
45
What is PKU (Phenylketonuria)?
A genetic disorder where the body can’t metabolize phenylalanine.
46
Can environment override genetics in behaviour?
Yes, high heritability doesn’t mean traits are unchangeable.
47
What is evolution?
A change in gene frequency across generations in a population.
48
What is natural selection?
Genes that help survival and reproduction become more common.
49
What is artificial selection?
Humans selecting traits to breed in future generations.
50
What was Lamarckian evolution?
The incorrect idea that acquired traits are inherited.
51
Define fitness in evolutionary terms.
The number of gene copies passed on to future generations.
52
What is evolutionary psychology?
Study of how behaviour has evolved due to survival or reproductive advantages.
53
What is altruistic behaviour?
Helping others at a cost to oneself.
54
What is kin selection?
Favoring the reproductive success of relatives.
55
Define reciprocal altruism.
Helping others with the expectation they will help in return.
56
What is group selection?
The idea that groups with cooperative members survive better.
57
What is the resting potential of a neuron?
A difference in voltage, where the inside is negatively charged relative to the outside.
58
What maintains the resting potential?
The sodium-potassium pump moves 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ in, maintaining the negative charge inside.
59
What is selective permeability?
The membrane allows some ions to pass through more freely than others.
60
What forces affect ion movement at rest?
Electrical gradient pulls K⁺ in; concentration gradient pushes K⁺ out.
61
What is an action potential?
A rapid electrical signal sent down an axon when a neuron fires.
62
What triggers an action potential?
When depolarization reaches the threshold (around -60mV), voltage-gated sodium channels open.
63
What is the all-or-none law?
Action potentials occur fully or not at all; their size and speed don’t vary with stimulus strength.
64
What happens during an action potential?
Na⁺ enters the cell (depolarization), then K⁺ exits (repolarization).
65
What do local anesthetics do?
They block sodium channels, preventing action potentials.
66
What is propagation of an action potential?
The signal moves along the axon by depolarizing the next segment.
67
What is the absolute refractory period?
The period when no new action potential can occur, no matter the stimulus.
68
What is the relative refractory period?
A new action potential can occur, but only with a stronger stimulus.
69
What is the myelin sheath?
An insulating layer of fat and protein that speeds up neural transmission.
70
What is saltatory conduction?
Action potentials “jump” between nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons.
71
What are local neurons?
Tiny neurons without axons that communicate over short distances.
72
What is a graded potential?
A small, variable electrical signal that spreads across the membrane.
73
What is a synapse?
The junction between two neurons where communication occurs.
74
Who inferred the existence of synapses and how?
Charles Sherrington, through the observation of reflex delays.
75
What is a reflex arc?
A pathway from sensory neuron to motor response.
76
What is temporal summation?
Summation of EPSPs or IPSPs over time from one input.
77
What is spatial summation?
Summation of inputs from different presynaptic neurons.
78
What is an EPSP?
A graded depolarization caused by sodium entering the cell.
79
What is an IPSP?
A graded hyperpolarization from negative ions (like Cl⁻) entering the cell.
80
What is the spontaneous firing rate?
The baseline level at which a neuron produces action potentials without input.
81
What determines whether a neuron fires?
The balance of EPSPs and IPSPs.
82
What is a Hebbian synapse?
A synapse that strengthens when the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons are active simultaneously
83
What is habituation?
A decreased response to a repeated, non-harmful stimulus due to reduced neurotransmitter release
84
What is sensitization in Aplysia?
An increased response to mild stimuli after a strong stimulus due to serotonin blocking K+ channels, prolonging neurotransmitter release
85
What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?
A long-lasting increase in synaptic strength after a burst of intense stimulation
86
What are the key properties of LTP?
Specificity, cooperativity, and associativity
87
What is long-term depression (LTD)?
A long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength when axons are less active
88
How is LTP triggered in the hippocampus?
Glutamate activates AMPA receptors, depolarizing the neuron and removing Mg2+ from NMDA receptors, allowing Ca2+ to enter
89
What role does calcium play in LTP?
It activates processes that increase receptor response and form new synapses
90
What does the AMPA receptor do?
Responds to glutamate and allows Na+ to enter the postsynaptic cell (EPSP)
91
What does the NMDA receptor do?
Normally blocked by Mg2+, it allows Ca2+ in when depolarization removes the block
92
What is BDNF?
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, involved in strengthening synapses during LTP
93
How are neurotransmitters released?
Action potential opens voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, leading to vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release into the synapse
94
What happens after neurotransmitters are released?
They bind to postsynaptic receptors, causing EPSPs or IPSPs, then are inactivated by reuptake, breakdown, or diffusion
95
Name the main neurotransmitter classes
Amino acids, modified amino acids, biogenic amines, neuropeptides, purines, and gases
96
Give me an example of an amino acid transmitter
GABA (inhibitory), glutamate (excitatory), glycine
97
What are examples of biogenic amines?
Dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine
98
What is cotransmission?
When a neuron releases more than one neurotransmitter
99
What are ionotropic receptors?
Ligand-gated ion channels that produce fast, short-lived responses
100
What is an example of an ionotropic receptor?
Glutamate, GABA
101
What are metabotropic receptors?
GPCRs that initiate slower, longer-lasting effects via second messengers
102
What are the functions of metabotropic receptor pathways?
Can alter ion channels, enzymes, gene expression, or cytoskeletal proteins
103
How are neurotransmitters inactivated?
Detach from receptor, diffuse, are broken down, or taken back up into the presynaptic cell
104
What is a retrograde transmitter?
A chemical released from the postsynaptic cell that modulates the presynaptic neurons activity

Psyc201 Mid Tri Test (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions