Biological SAQ Terminology Flashcards
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging shows a cross-section of the brain, allowing you to see the structure of the brain.
Localisation of function
Localisation of function is the idea that certain functions of the brain are associated with specific areas of the brain
Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and streamline its performance as a result of experience, learning, or following an injury. It does this through synaptic pruning and dendritic branching
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that communicate information via electrical impulses throughout our brain and body. They transmit signals across a chemical synapse from one neuron’s terminal button to another neuron’s receptor site.
Hormone
Hormones are chemical messengers in our body that can influence our behaviour in multiple ways, usually travelling through the bloodstream
Neural networks
Series of connected neurons that information travels along, enabling us to do things.
Synaptic pruning
Synaptic pruning is the process of removing unnecessary neural networks in order to streamline the brain’s performance
Dendritic branching
Dendritic branching is the process of dendrites from one neuron branching out to establish connections with other neurons in order to streamline performance of the brain
Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which causes the body to feel a happy sensation such as a feeling of reward, this can however lead to addiction.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone linked to status-seeking and levels of aggression, most prominently found within males and majorly released from the testes in men or ovaries in women although small amounts are produced in adrenal glands
Post-mortem research
The study of the physical brain of a deceased person who displayed a particular behaviour while they were alive that suggested possible brain damage.
fMRI
Functional magnetic resonance imaging measures changes in oxygenated blood flow of the brain to determine neural activity as when a particular part of the brain is more active, it consumes more oxygen and the blood flow increases.
BOLD response
fMRIs measure the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) response in the MRI signals that arise from a change in neural activity in response to a task or stimulus.
Brain imaging
The most common types of brain imaging are EEG, MRI and fMRI, they have a common goal of aiming to produce coherent representations of the brain
Consequences of brain damage
They can range from subtle and temporary changes in ability and behaviour, to a profound and permanent reduction in basic skills and loss of control of emotion and behaviour such as retrograde and anterograde amnesia.
Long term potentiation
A process by which synaptic connections between neurons become stronger with frequent activation, thought to be a way in which the brain changes in response to experience
Neurotransmission
When a nerve impulse triggers the release of neurotransmitters, which are then released into the synapse and taken up by the receptors on the next neuron.
Neuron
A type of nerve cell found in the brain.
Synapse
The connection between two dendrites.
Acetycholine
A neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the normal function of the brain and body such as learning, memory, sleep and movement.
Agonist
A substance which binds to synaptic receptors and increases the effect of neurotransmitters.
Antagonist
A substance that bind to synaptic receptors and decreases the effect of neurotransmitters.
Internal validity
The extent to which a study actually demonstrates the relationship that it intended to.
External validity
The extent to which the results can be generalized to other contexts.
Reliability
A measure of consistency within results of psychological research.
Correlation vs causation
Correlation is a link between two variables whereas causation is when one variable directly affects a change in the other. Correlation does not imply causation.
Purpose of ethical considerations
To ensure participants (both humans and animals) are not harmed and that research conducted is ethically valid.
BPS/APA
British Psychological Society, American Psychological Association. They established lists of ethical considerations that must be adhered to for research to be accepted.
Hormones
Chemical messengers that are secreted by glands in the endocrine system and can influence our behaviour.
Pheromones
Airborne chemical messengers released by the body that have physical or emotional effects on other members of the same species.
Endocrine system
The name given to the various glands throughout the body that regulate and release hormones.
Adrenaline
A hormone responsible for the fight or flight response, causing physiological changes to prepare the body for fight or flight, e.g. pupil dilation, increased heart rate.
Cortisol
A hormone responsible for preparing the body for action in response to stress.
VNO
Found in mammals, connect to a special region in the brain where pheromones are thought to be processed.
Primer pheromone
They take longer to get a response and can influence the development of reproduction physiology and hormone levels in other beings.
Releaser pheromone
Have an immediate, rapid and reliable response, often linked to sexual attraction.
Modulator pheromone
They can either alter or synchronise bodily functions such as the menstrual cycle, often found in sweat.
Genes
A small section of DNA on a chromosome, which codes for a particular trait or behavioural characteristic. Inherited in child from parent.
Chromosomes
Strands of DNA that carry the genetic or hereditary traits of an individual.
Genetic inheritence
The transmission of traits from parents to their offspring through genes.
Alleles
Alternative forms of a gene that code for the different variations of a specific trait e.g. different eye colours
Dominant/recessive
Dominant means only one allele is required for the trait to be shown whereas recessive means two alleles are required, one from each parent.
Codominant
When two different alleles are both equally expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygous individual.
Genotype
The genetic makeup and selection of genes an individual possesses
Phenotype
How genes are expressed in an individual, observational traits
Monozygotic twins
Twins that developed from the same egg. 100% of DNA is shared
Dizygotic twins
Twins that developed from different eggs and sperm, only 50% of DNA shared, same as regular siblings.
Epigenetics
The study of the effect of the environment on gene expression.
Twin studies
Measure a difference in concordance rates of a particular trait across the two different types of twins
Kinship studies
A comparison of the correlations between relatives of known degrees of genetic relatedness on a measurable trait in order to estimate the heritability of that trait
Family studies
Research that examines how individuals change and grow and how those changes interact within the family matrix
Concordance rates
The percentage of pairs of twins or other blood relatives who exhibit a particular trait or disorder
Falconer model
A mathematical formula that is used in twin studies to estimate the relative contribution of genetic vs environmental factors to variation in a particular trait
Evolution
The changing in the inherited traits of a species over time in order to adapt in response to an environment or problem.
Natural selection
The idea that members of a species that survive competition and breed will have characteristics better suited to the environment and are more likely to pass on these traits.
Survival of the fittest
The organisms that are the most successful at procreating and reproducing will survive
Reproductive benefit
A mechanism of evolution that works by altering the heritable traits of a population
Adaption
A functional, cognitive or behavioural trait that benefits an organism within its environment.
Signaler pheromone
Provide information, they may help the mother to recognize her newborn by scent.
