Biological Approach content Flashcards
Define localisation (1 mark)
The theory that certain areas of the brain control certain functions.
eg. the amygdala and fight or flight response
- certain areas control certain functions
Define neuroplasticity (1 mark)
The ability of the brain to form and reorganise synaptic connections
- form reorganise synaptic connections
Define a neural network (2 marks)
A connection of neurons that send signals along pathways
- connection of neurons
- signals along pathways
Define synaptic connections (2 marks)
The ensemble of direct chemical and electrical connections between neurons. They are the pathways in a neural network
- ensemble of chemical and electrical connections between neurons
- pathways in a neural network
Define neural pruning (3 marks)
The process of removing obsolete neurons and in doing so refining neural pathways and increasing efficiency
- removing obsolete neurons
- refining neural pathways
- increasing efficiency
Define neuron (4 marks)
The fundamental unit of the brain and nervous system. They are the cells responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, for sending motor commands to our muscles, and for transforming and relaying the electrical signals at every step in between.
- cells
- receiving sensory input from outside world
- sending motor commands to our muscles
- transforming and relaying electrical signals
Define neurotransmitter (6 marks)
The body’s chemical messengers. They are the molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons or from neurons to muscles. They are released at the end of a nerve fibre by the arrival of a nerve impulse and the effect muscles and neurons by diffusing across the synapse between them and transferring the effects of the impulse.
- molecules
- used by nervous system to transmit messages
- between neurons
- neurons to muscles
- released upon the arrival of specific nerve impulses
- transfer the effects of the impulse (by diffusing across synapse)
Define excitatory neurotransmitter (1 mark)
Neurotransmitters that have excitatory effects on the neuron, increasing the chance that the neuron will fire.
- Neurotransmitters that increase chance that neuron will fire
Define inhibitory neurotransmitter (1 mark)
Neurotransmitters that have inhibitory effects on the neuron, decreasing the chance that the neuron will fire.
- Neurotransmitters that decrease the chance that the neuron will fire
Define agonist (3 marks)
A chemical messenger that binds to a receptor on a neuron and produces a particular effect similar to the body’s own neurotransmitter at that receptor.
- Chemical messenger
- Binds to the receptor on a neuron
- Produces similar effect to that receptors neurotransmitter
Define antagonist (3 marks)
A chemical messenger that binds to a receptor on a neuron and prevents a or agonist neurotransmitter from binding to it, or blocks the effect of it.
- chemical messenger
- binds to a receptor on a neuron
- blocks the effect of body’s neurotransmitter or agonist that would bind to that receptor
Define hormone (3 marks)
A regulatory substance produced by endocrine glands that is transported into the blood stream to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.
- regulatory substance produced by endocrine glands
- transported into blood stream
- stimulates cells or tissues into action
Define pheromone (3 marks)
A theoretical chemical substance produced and excreted by the body, apparently effecting the behaviour and physiology of other nearby humans.
- theoretical chemical substance
- excreted by the body
- effecting the behaviour and physiology of other nearby humans
Define Gene (2 marks)
A unit of hereditary that is transferred from a parent to an offspring, and is held to determine some characteristic of that offspring.
- unit of hereditary
- determines characteristics of offspring
Define genetic similarity (1 mark)
A measure of the genetic relatedness among individuals.
- measure of genetic relatedness among individuals
