chapter 1 - intro to biological psychology Flashcards
Mind-body dualism
A philosophical perspective put forward by Rene Descartes in which the body is mechanistic, whereas the mind is separate and nonphysical
biological psychology
The branch of psychology in which the biological foundations of behaviour, emotions, and mental processes are studied
Monism
(MON-nizm) A philosophical perspective characteristic of the neurosciences in which the mind is viewed as the product of activity in the brain and nervous system
Phrenology
The pseudoscientific notion that the skull contours indicate personality and character traits
Histology
The study of cells and tissues on the microscopic level
Microtome
A device used to make very thin slices of tissue for histology
Golgi silver strain
A strain developed by Camillo Golgi used to observe single neurons
Nissl strain
A stain used to view populations of cell bodies
Myelin strain
A strain used to trace neural pathways
Horseradish peroxidase
A strain used to trace axon pathways from their terminals to points of origin
Autopsy
The examination of body tissues following death
Computerized tomography (CT)
An imaging technology in which computers are used to enhance X-ray images
Positron emission tomography (PET)
An imaging technique that provides information regarding the localization of brain activity
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
An imaging technique that provides very high resolution structural images
Voxel
Short for “volume Pixel.” A pixel is the smallest distinguishable square part of a two dimensional image. A voxel is the smallest distinguishable box shaped part of a three dimensional image
Functional MRI (fMRI)
A technology using a series of MRI images taken 1 to 4 seconds apart in order to assess the activity of the brain
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A technology for studying the activity of the brain through recordings from electrodes placed on the scalp
Evoked potential
An alteration in the EEG recording produced in response to the application of a particular stimulus
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)
A technology for recording the magnetic output of the brain
Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
A technique for stimulating the cortex at regular intervals by applying a magnetic pulse through a wire coil encased in plastic and placed on the scalp.
Lesion
Pathological or traumatic damage to tissue
Ablation
The surgical removal of tissue
Microdialysis
A technique for assessing the chemical composition of a very small area of the brain
Heritability
The amount of variability of a trait in a population that is due to genetics
Knockout genes
Genes that take the place of normal genes but that fail to produce the specific protein produced by the normal genes
Stem cell
An undifferentiated cell that can divide and differentiate into other types of cells
