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Psychology > 3: Neuroscience and Behaviour > Flashcards

3: Neuroscience and Behaviour Flashcards

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1
Q

Neurons

A

Cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks

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2
Q

Glia

A

Cells that support the functionality of neutrons by providing physical support, supplying nutrients and enhancing neuronal communication

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3
Q

Cell Body

A

The part of a neutron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive

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4
Q

Dendrites

A

The part of a neutron that receives information from other neutrons and relays it to the cell body

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5
Q

Axon

A

The part of a neutron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles or glands

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6
Q

Myelin sheath

A

An insulating layer of fatty material made up of glial cells

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7
Q

Synapse

A

The juncture or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another

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8
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Neurons that receive information from the external world and convey this information to the brain via the spinal cord

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9
Q

Motor neurons

A

Neurons that carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles to produce movement

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10
Q

Interneurons

A

Neurons that connect sensory neurons, motor neurons or other interneurons

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11
Q

Resting potential

A

The difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a neuron’s cell membrane

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12
Q

Action potential

A

An electric signal that is conducted along the length of a neuron’s axon to a synapse

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13
Q

Refractory period

A

The time following an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated

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14
Q

Terminal buttons

A

Knoblike structures that branch out from an axon

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15
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemicals that transmit information across the synapse to a receiving neuron’s dendrites

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16
Q

Receptors

A

Parts of the cell membrane that receive neurotransmitters and initiate a new electric signal

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17
Q

Acetylcholine (ACH)

A

A neurotransmitter involved in a number of functions, including voluntary motor control

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18
Q

Dopamine

A

A neurotransmitter that regulates motor behaviour, motivation, pleasure and emotional arousal

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19
Q

Glutamate

A

A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in information transmission throughout the brain

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20
Q

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

A

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

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21
Q

Noradrenaline

A

A neurotransmitter that influences mood and arousal

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22
Q

Serotonin

A

A neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating and aggressive behaviour

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23
Q

Endorphins

A

Chemicals that act within the pain pathways and emotion centres of the brain

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24
Q

Agonists

A

Drugs that increase the action of a neurotransmitter

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25
Q

Antagonists

A

Drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter

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26
Q

Nervous system

A

An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body

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27
Q

Central nervous system (CNS)

A

The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord

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28
Q

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

A

The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body’s organs and muscles

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29
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

A set of nerves that convey information in and out of the central nervous system

30
Q

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

A set of nerves that carry involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs and glands

31
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

A set of nerves that prepare the body for action in threatening situations

32
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

A set of nerves that help the body return to a normal resting state

33
Q

Spinal reflexes

A

Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions

34
Q

Hindbrain

A

An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord

35
Q

Medulla

A

An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation and respiration

36
Q

Reticular formation

A

A brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness and levels of arousal

37
Q

Cerebellum

A

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills

38
Q

Pons

A

A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain

39
Q

Tectum

A

A part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment

40
Q

Tegmentum

A

A part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal

41
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres

42
Q

Subcortical structures

A

Areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very centre of the brain

43
Q

Thalamus

A

A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex

44
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and sexual behaviour

45
Q

Pituitary gland

A

The ‘master gland’ of the body’s hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body

46
Q

Limbic system

A

A group of forebrain structures, which include the hypothalamus, the amygdala and the hippocampus, which are involved in motivation, emotion, learning and memory

47
Q

Hippocampus

A

A structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex

48
Q

Amygdala

A

A part of the limbic system, located at the tip of each horn of the hippocampus, that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories

49
Q

Basal ganglia

A

A set of subcortical structures that direct intentional movements

50
Q

Corpus callosum

A

A thick band of nerve fibres that connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication of information across the hemispheres

51
Q

Occipital lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

52
Q

Parietal lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch

53
Q

Somatosensory cortex

A

The outermost layer of the parietal lobe area containing a representation of the body map

54
Q

Mirror neurons

A

Cells that are active when performing an action oneself or when observing the same action performed by another

55
Q

Temporal lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language

56
Q

Frontal lobe

A

A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialised areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory and judgement

57
Q

Association areas

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex

58
Q

Primary visual cortex

A

The outermost layer of the occipital lobe area where visual information is processed

59
Q

Primary auditory cortex

A

The outermost layer of the temporal lobe where auditory information is processed

60
Q

Gene

A

The unit of hereditary transmission

61
Q

Chromosomes

A

Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration

62
Q

Epigenetics

A

The mechanisms of interaction between the environment and genes

63
Q

Genetic methylation

A

A mechanism that silences a gene and is believed to play a major role in long-term changes that shape our development

64
Q

Heritability

A

A measure of the variability of behavioural traits among individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors

65
Q

Vegetative state

A

A state of wakefulness without awareness and overt communication

66
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

A device used to record electrical activity in the brain

67
Q

Computerised axial tomography (CT)

A

A technique that recombines multiple X-ray photographs into a single image

68
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

A technique that uses a powerful magnet to cause charged molecules in soft tissue to realign to produce measurable field distortions

69
Q

Positron emission tomography (PET)

A

A technique that uses radioactive marks to measure blood flow in the brain

70
Q

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

A

A technique that uses a powerful magnet to cause haemoglobin molecules to realign to measure blood flow in the brain

71
Q

Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal

A

A measure of relative blood flow to locations that are activated in the brain

Psychology (8 decks)

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