Methods in Cog and Bio Psych

Question 1

What happens at synaptic transmission?

Answer 1

• Neurotransmitters bind to receptors.
• Activate ion channels on the cell membrane.

Question 2

What does depolarisation/hyperpolarisaton mean?

Answer 2

the change in membrane potential generates electrical field around the neuron.

Question 3

What is PSP?

Answer 3

The changes in the membrane potential of the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 4

What does an EEG record?

Answer 4

Synchronised post-synaptic activity (not action potentials) of similarity orientated pyramidal cells

Question 5

What does an EEG entail?

Answer 5

• Electrodes placed on the surface of the head.

Question 6

What temporal resolution does an EEG have?

Answer 6

High temporal resolution (millisecond level).

Question 7

What spatial resolution does an EEG have?

Answer 7

Low spatial resolution.

Question 8

Is an EEG expensive?

Answer 8

No, relatively cheap.

Question 9

What does an MEG measure?

Answer 9

Changes in the magnetic field generated by the same neural populations with sensors.

Question 10

What temporal resolution does an MEG?

Answer 10

High temporal resolution (millisecond level).

Question 11

What spatial resolution does an MEG have?

Answer 11

Relatively high spatial resolution (~3.5mm).

Question 12

Is an MEG expensive?

Answer 12

Quite an expensive technique.

Question 13

What is a Fourier transform?

Answer 13

decomposes any waveform into its constituent frequencies.