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Psychology > 3: Neuroscience and Behaviour > Flashcards

3: Neuroscience and Behaviour Flashcards

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
Antagonists
Drugs that block the function of a neurotransmitter
26
Nervous system
An interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information throughout the body
27
Central nervous system (CNS)
The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord
28
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles
29
Somatic nervous system
A set of nerves that convey information in and out of the central nervous system
30
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
A set of nerves that carry involuntary and automatic commands that control blood vessels, body organs and glands
31
Sympathetic nervous system
A set of nerves that prepare the body for action in threatening situations
32
Parasympathetic nervous system
A set of nerves that help the body return to a normal resting state
33
Spinal reflexes
Simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions
34
Hindbrain
An area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord
35
Medulla
An extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation and respiration
36
Reticular formation
A brain structure that regulates sleep, wakefulness and levels of arousal
37
Cerebellum
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills
38
Pons
A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
39
Tectum
A part of the midbrain that orients an organism in the environment
40
Tegmentum
A part of the midbrain that is involved in movement and arousal
41
Cerebral cortex
The outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres
42
Subcortical structures
Areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very centre of the brain
43
Thalamus
A subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the information to the cerebral cortex
44
Hypothalamus
A subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst and sexual behaviour
45
Pituitary gland
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
Limbic system
A group of forebrain structures, which include the hypothalamus, the amygdala and the hippocampus, which are involved in motivation, emotion, learning and memory
47
Hippocampus
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
Amygdala
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
Basal ganglia
A set of subcortical structures that direct intentional movements
50
Corpus callosum
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
Occipital lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information
52
Parietal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch
53
Somatosensory cortex
The outermost layer of the parietal lobe area containing a representation of the body map
54
Mirror neurons
Cells that are active when performing an action oneself or when observing the same action performed by another
55
Temporal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language
56
Frontal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialised areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory and judgement
57
Association areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex
58
Primary visual cortex
The outermost layer of the occipital lobe area where visual information is processed
59
Primary auditory cortex
The outermost layer of the temporal lobe where auditory information is processed
60
Gene
The unit of hereditary transmission
61
Chromosomes
Strands of DNA wound around each other in a double-helix configuration
62
Epigenetics
The mechanisms of interaction between the environment and genes
63
Genetic methylation
A mechanism that silences a gene and is believed to play a major role in long-term changes that shape our development
64
Heritability
A measure of the variability of behavioural traits among individuals that can be accounted for by genetic factors
65
Vegetative state
A state of wakefulness without awareness and overt communication
66
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A device used to record electrical activity in the brain
67
Computerised axial tomography (CT)
A technique that recombines multiple X-ray photographs into a single image
68
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A technique that uses a powerful magnet to cause charged molecules in soft tissue to realign to produce measurable field distortions
69
Positron emission tomography (PET)
A technique that uses radioactive marks to measure blood flow in the brain
70
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
A technique that uses a powerful magnet to cause haemoglobin molecules to realign to measure blood flow in the brain
71
Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal
A measure of relative blood flow to locations that are activated in the brain

Psychology (8 decks)

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