Cognitive Neuroscience Flashcards
(45 cards)
Non-fluent, expressive aphasia that causes problems with speech production (but not comprehension)
Broca’s aphasia
Fluent aphasia that causes disordered speech and problems with language comprehension
Werknicke’s aphasia
What is the purpose of synaptic pruning and at when does it occur?
The purpose is to make neural transmission more specific and efficient - the 2 major periods of synaptic pruning occurs at around/after age 5 and after adolescence
Location of and function of motor cortex
Located in precentral gyrus and is involved in the planning, control, and execution of voluntary movements.
Location and function of somatosensory cortex
Located in postcentral gyrus and process sensory information from the body
Define functional specialisation
different areas of the brain have different functions (specialisation of neuron’s in particular brain regions)
Which neuroimaging techniques are considered invasive?
Positron emitting tomography (PET) and single-cell recordings
What are the 2 components of episodic memory?
Recollection - re-experiencing past events (remembering)
Familiarity - stimulus is recognised but there is no information about the context of the experience (knowing)
What is the saphir-wolf hypothesis?
A theory relating to verbal codes that states that language shapes thought
How do neurons communicate electrically?
Information is conducted within the neuron through the movement of ions in and out of the cell
How do neurons communicate chemically?
Information is communicated between neurons through chemical signals via neurotransmitters
What is the resting charge of a neuron?
-70mV
What is the excitation threshold for neural firing?
-55mV
What is the axon hillock?
The area of the neuron where an action potential is created (trigger zone)
What is depolarization?
When the cell becomes less negative making it more likely for an action potential
What is hyperpolarization?
Inside of the cell becomes temporarily more negative which inhibits action potential
Why are voltage-gated ion channels important and where are they found?
They are only found in axons and are important in generating action potentials by letting ions in and out of cell
What happens during an action potential?
When there are enough graded potentials to cross the excitation threshold, the cell depolarises with voltage-gated channels allowing Na+ into cell, then reploarises by allowing K+ out
What is the difference between an agonist and antagonist?
Agnostic drug is excitatory and mimics effect of neurotransmitter - antagonist is inhibitory and blocks neurotransmitter
What is the difference between gray and white matter?
gray matter is made up of cell bodies and dendrites and white matter is made up of axons and glial cells
Dorsal/superior view is…
from the top of brain
Ventral inferior view of brain…
bottom
Anterior/rostral view of brain..
front
Posterior/caudal view of brain…
back
