Biopsychology Flashcards
What does CNS stand for
Central Nervous System
What are the two types of Nervous Systems
Somatic + Autonomic
What is the Function of the Somatic Nervous System
Transmit info from senses to CNS controlling voluntary movement
What is the Function of the Autonomic Nervous System
Transmit info to and from internal organs to sustain life controlling involuntary movements
What are the three types of Neurons
Sensory, Relay and Motor
What is the role of a Motor Neuron
Controls movement
What is the role of a Sensory Neuron
Allows to be able to feel things and send it to the CNS
What is the role of a Relay Neuron
Allows Sensory and motor neurons to communicate
What is a Neurotransmitter
Chemicals that are released from synaptic vesicles into the synapse by neurons
What is a dendrite
A neuron’s branch that receives information from other neurons and transmit it towards the cell body
What is serotonin
It affects neurons Involed in sleep, mood, temperature regulation and pain suppression
What is a biological rhythm
It is a distinct pattern behaviour in response to cyclical changes within the environment
What are endogenous pacemakers
They are internal biological mechanisms that make up the body clock
Cues from the outside are called
Exogenous zeitgebers
What did siffere do
He studied his body clock for 6 months by having removing natural light or cues
What did Sifferes biological clock change to
25 - 30 hours
How long did Siffre think he was in the cave for
1 month
How long was Siffre actually in the cave for
6 months
How many times does the Infradian system occur
Occurs less than once every day
How often does the Ultradian Rhythms
More then one cycles every 24 hours
Examples of ultradian system
Urination
Appetite
How many cycles do we go through as we sleep
5
What are the three types of plasticity
- Synaptogenesis
- Neurogenesis
- Synaptic pruning
What is synaptogenesis
Where new synapses are formed this happens throughout life but there is a explosion in synaptic formation during infancy
What is neurogenesis
Where new neurons are grown. In infancy this is responsible for populating the brain with neurons
What is synaptic pruning
The process of synaptic elimination which happens between early childhood and at the start of puberty
What is neural regeneration
Where new nerves sprout and grow and connect with undamaged areas
What is neural unmasking
Where dormant synapses are opened and become functional
Wha tis neural reorganisation
Where the brain moves functions from the damaged side of the brain to an undamaged part of the brain
What are the 4 ways to study the brain
- Post Mortimer
- FMRI
- EEG
- Event related potentials (ERP)
Define a Post Mortem
Examination of the brain after someone has died
What are a weaknesses of using a Post Mortem
- Brain starts to decay after oxygen is cut from it reducing accuracy
What is an Advantage of using a Post Mortem
Allow researchers to go into deep regions of the brain
Define fMRI
It uses strong magnetic waves that measures blood flow in the brain when someone performs a task
What an Advantage of using a fMRI
Non invasive
Define EEG
It uses small sensors on the scalp that pick up electrical signals which are measured by size and frequency
What is an Advantage of using EEGs
- Cheaper than other methods of studying the brain
What is a weakness of using EEGs
High levels of expertises are needed to interpret data
Define ERPs
Uses small sensors on the scalp to measure electrical activity in response to a specific stimulus
What is a benefit of using ERPs
It can directly measure neuronal activity
What is a disadvantage of using ERPs
High level of expertise are needed
What are the 4 different Lobes
- Frontal
- Parietal
- Temporal
- Occipital
Define Brocas Area
It’s found in the left frontal lobe and is involved in language production
Define Wernickes Area
It’s found in the Left Temporal Lobe and is involved in the understanding of speech
