Unit 2 - The Brain

Question 1

Temporal resolution

Answer 1

the precision of a measurement with respect to time. Useful to compare different stimulation to see if the brain reacts differently

Question 2

Spatial resolution

Answer 2

the accuracy of measurement with respect to location in the brain. High = we can see fine details and activation in specific location of part of the brain

Question 3

Dendrite

Answer 3

short branched extension of a nerve cell that receives stimuli or impulses at synapse which will travel to the cell body

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

long fibre component that receives impulses from cell body and conduct the impulse to the terminal buttons

Question 5

Terminal buttons

Answer 5

small knobs at the end of an axon on a neuron that releases neurotransmitters

Question 6

Myelin Sheath

Answer 6

fatty insulator that covers the axon; facilitates the transmission of impulses

Question 7

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 7

gaps located between the myelin

Question 8

Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 8

grey matter at the anterior part of the frontal cortex where higher order functions occur; executive control, planning, reasoning, problem solving

Question 9

Executive Control

Answer 9

complex cognitive functions which occur in the prefrontal cortex

Question 10

Dopamine

Answer 10

a neurotransmitter that plays a part in cognition, motivation, punishment, mood, sleep, working memory etc.

Question 11

Hippocampus

Answer 11

involved in consolidation of long term memories; damage to this are affects ability to form new memories

Question 12

Cerebellum

Answer 12

receives info from sensory systems, spinal cord, and additional parts which regulates motor movements, speech, balanced muscular activity etc.

Question 13

Plasticty

Answer 13

the idea that the brain is good at modifying things due to life experience or damage

Question 14

Neurogenesis

Answer 14

process by which neurons are generated from neural stem cells and they are waiting to become a fully developed neuron when they are in need

Question 15

Brain Reserve Hypothesis

Answer 15

idea that the more you have to start with, the less shrinking will impact in the long run

Question 16

Cognitive Reserve

Answer 16

rather than the size of the brain, more connections = less impact

Question 17

Dedifferentation

Answer 17

brain regions become less specialized; reduction of differentation

Question 18

Default network

Answer 18

active when we’re not thinking or doing things that require mental efforts such as watching TV and mind-wandering