Biological SAQ Terminology Flashcards

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1
Q

MRI

A

Magnetic Resonance Imaging shows a cross-section of the brain, allowing you to see the structure of the brain.

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2
Q

Localisation of function

A

Localisation of function is the idea that certain functions of the brain are associated with specific areas of the brain

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3
Q

Neuroplasticity

A

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

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4
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

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.

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5
Q

Hormone

A

Hormones are chemical messengers in our body that can influence our behaviour in multiple ways, usually travelling through the bloodstream

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6
Q

Neural networks

A

Series of connected neurons that information travels along, enabling us to do things.

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7
Q

Synaptic pruning

A

Synaptic pruning is the process of removing unnecessary neural networks in order to streamline the brain’s performance

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8
Q

Dendritic branching

A

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

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9
Q

Dopamine

A

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.

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10
Q

Testosterone

A

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

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11
Q

Post-mortem research

A

The study of the physical brain of a deceased person who displayed a particular behaviour while they were alive that suggested possible brain damage.

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12
Q

fMRI

A

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.

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13
Q

BOLD response

A

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.

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14
Q

Brain imaging

A

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

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15
Q

Consequences of brain damage

A

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.

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16
Q

Long term potentiation

A

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

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17
Q

Neurotransmission

A

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.

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18
Q

Neuron

A

A type of nerve cell found in the brain.

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19
Q

Synapse

A

The connection between two dendrites.

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20
Q

Acetycholine

A

A neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the normal function of the brain and body such as learning, memory, sleep and movement.

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21
Q

Agonist

A

A substance which binds to synaptic receptors and increases the effect of neurotransmitters.

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22
Q

Antagonist

A

A substance that bind to synaptic receptors and decreases the effect of neurotransmitters.

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23
Q

Internal validity

A

The extent to which a study actually demonstrates the relationship that it intended to.

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24
Q

External validity

A

The extent to which the results can be generalized to other contexts.

25
Q

Reliability

A

A measure of consistency within results of psychological research.

26
Q

Correlation vs causation

A

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.

27
Q

Purpose of ethical considerations

A

To ensure participants (both humans and animals) are not harmed and that research conducted is ethically valid.

28
Q

BPS/APA

A

British Psychological Society, American Psychological Association. They established lists of ethical considerations that must be adhered to for research to be accepted.

29
Q

Hormones

A

Chemical messengers that are secreted by glands in the endocrine system and can influence our behaviour.

30
Q

Pheromones

A

Airborne chemical messengers released by the body that have physical or emotional effects on other members of the same species.

31
Q

Endocrine system

A

The name given to the various glands throughout the body that regulate and release hormones.

32
Q

Adrenaline

A

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.

33
Q

Cortisol

A

A hormone responsible for preparing the body for action in response to stress.

34
Q

VNO

A

Found in mammals, connect to a special region in the brain where pheromones are thought to be processed.

35
Q

Primer pheromone

A

They take longer to get a response and can influence the development of reproduction physiology and hormone levels in other beings.

36
Q

Releaser pheromone

A

Have an immediate, rapid and reliable response, often linked to sexual attraction.

37
Q

Modulator pheromone

A

They can either alter or synchronise bodily functions such as the menstrual cycle, often found in sweat.

38
Q

Genes

A

A small section of DNA on a chromosome, which codes for a particular trait or behavioural characteristic. Inherited in child from parent.

39
Q

Chromosomes

A

Strands of DNA that carry the genetic or hereditary traits of an individual.

40
Q

Genetic inheritence

A

The transmission of traits from parents to their offspring through genes.

41
Q

Alleles

A

Alternative forms of a gene that code for the different variations of a specific trait e.g. different eye colours

42
Q

Dominant/recessive

A

Dominant means only one allele is required for the trait to be shown whereas recessive means two alleles are required, one from each parent.

43
Q

Codominant

A

When two different alleles are both equally expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygous individual.

44
Q

Genotype

A

The genetic makeup and selection of genes an individual possesses

45
Q

Phenotype

A

How genes are expressed in an individual, observational traits

46
Q

Monozygotic twins

A

Twins that developed from the same egg. 100% of DNA is shared

47
Q

Dizygotic twins

A

Twins that developed from different eggs and sperm, only 50% of DNA shared, same as regular siblings.

48
Q

Epigenetics

A

The study of the effect of the environment on gene expression.

49
Q

Twin studies

A

Measure a difference in concordance rates of a particular trait across the two different types of twins

50
Q

Kinship studies

A

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

51
Q

Family studies

A

Research that examines how individuals change and grow and how those changes interact within the family matrix

52
Q

Concordance rates

A

The percentage of pairs of twins or other blood relatives who exhibit a particular trait or disorder

53
Q

Falconer model

A

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

54
Q

Evolution

A

The changing in the inherited traits of a species over time in order to adapt in response to an environment or problem.

55
Q

Natural selection

A

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.

56
Q

Survival of the fittest

A

The organisms that are the most successful at procreating and reproducing will survive

57
Q

Reproductive benefit

A

A mechanism of evolution that works by altering the heritable traits of a population

58
Q

Adaption

A

A functional, cognitive or behavioural trait that benefits an organism within its environment.

59
Q

Signaler pheromone

A

Provide information, they may help the mother to recognize her newborn by scent.