Chapter 1_Introduction to Neuroscience Flashcards
Neuroscience
The scientific study of the nervous system, aiming to understand its structure, function, development, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology.
Neurotransmitter
Chemical substances that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another ‘target’ neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.
Neuron
A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.
Synapse
The junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
Action Potential
A short-lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory.
Neurogenesis
The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain.
Plasticity
The ability of the brain to change continuously throughout an individual’s life, e.g., brain cells forming new connections in response to learning.
fMRI (Functional MRI)
Imaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.
Neurotransmission
The process by which signaling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by a neuron to communicate with a target cell across a synapse.
Molecular Neurobiology
The study of the molecular and genetic basis of neural structure and function.
Neuroplasticity
The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
Experimental Research
Involves manipulating one or more variables (independent variables) to observe the effect on another variable (dependent variable), while controlling other factors to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Independent Variable
The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable.
Dependent Variable
The variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.
Confounding Variables
Extraneous variables that can influence the outcome of an experiment, leading to erroneous conclusions if not properly controlled.
Control Group
In an experiment, the group that does not receive the experimental treatment, allowing researchers to compare its results to those of the experimental group.
Observational Study
A study in which the researcher observes and records behavior or phenomena without manipulating any variables.
Quasiexperimental Study
A study that aims to evaluate interventions but does not use randomization. Participants are assigned to groups based on non-random criteria.
Case Study
An in-depth study of one individual, group, or event to explore the causes of underlying principles or behaviors.
Phineas Gage
A railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury in 1848 that dramatically changed his personality and behavior, providing early evidence of the role of the frontal lobe in personality and behavior.
Neurodegenerative
Referring to diseases characterized by progressive nerve cell loss, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Localization Theory
The idea that specific functions are localized in particular areas of the brain.
Distributive Processing Theory
The idea that cognitive functions involve coordinated activity across various brain regions rather than being localized to specific areas.
Cognition
The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
Endogenous Chemicals
Chemicals that originate from within an organism, tissue, or cell.
Exogenous Chemicals
Chemicals that originate from outside an organism, tissue, or cell.
Mind-Body Problem
The philosophical question concerning the relationship between mental states and physical states, especially the brain.
Emergence
The phenomenon where larger entities, patterns, and regularities arise through interactions among smaller or simpler entities that themselves do not exhibit such properties.
Computational Neuroscience
A field of study that uses mathematical models, theoretical analysis, and computational simulations to understand the function of the nervous system.
Non-Experimental Research
Does not involve manipulating variables but instead observes, measures, or surveys participants in their natural settings to identify relationships or patterns without establishing causality.
Behavioral Neuroscience
the study of how the brain and nervous system influence behavior, emotions, and cognition. It combines principles from psychology, biology, and neuroscience to understand how neural processes underlie various behaviors, including learning, memory, and decision-making.
