Biological Flashcards
Where is the Frontal Lobe? What is its function?
Behind Forehead. Controls the person’s personality, emotions and behaviour and is involved in intellectual activities such as planning and organisation.
Where is the Temporal Lobe? What is its function?
Behind the ears. It holds the bulk of our memories and our ability to understand and speak.
Where is the Parietal Lobe? What is its function?
Top back of the brain. It is responsible for our perception and spatial awareness as well as manipulating objects and spelling.
Where is the Occipital Lobe? What is its function?
Back and bottom of the brain. It’s responsible for sight.
What does the Cerebellum control?
Muscle movement, balance and coordination.
What does the Brain Stem include? What does it control?
Midbrain, Medulla, Pons. Controls breathing, heart rate, consciousness, blood circulation, basic motor responses. Relays sensory information and regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
What is a Vesicle?
Tiny sacs that contain molecules of neurotransmitter chemicals.
What is a Neurotransmitter?
Chemicals that pass messages between neurones.
What are Receptors?
Sites on dendrites that are designed to bond to and absorb a specific type of neurotransmitter molecule.
What is Neurotransmission?
Process by which one neurone communicates with another.
Describe the process of neurotransmittion
An electrical impulse travels along the presynaptic neuron
The impulse reaches the synaptic vesicles to release a neurotransmitter
These diffuse across the synaptic gap and attach receptors
Recreational Drugs
Increase or decrease neurotransmitters at the synapse
Increase levels of dopamine so user experiences euphoria or pleasure
Decrease synapses efficiency so neurotransmission is affected.
Become addictive and quitting leads to withdrawl.
Cocaine
Uptake triggers dopamine instantaneously
Increases alertness
Blocks binding site on presynaptic neuron
Which prevents reuptake of dopamine
Degrades synapses overtime
Alcohol
Blocked reuptake - receptors, transmission, pre-frontal cortex, sensory perception
Increased GABA - dopamine, relaxation
Amygdala
Link between the amygdala in the prefrontal cortex
Roll in aggression is unclear but significant
Prefrontal cortex and Amygdala
Prefrontal cortex regulates emotional responses driven by amygdala
Damage result in impulsivity, immaturity and loss of control