chapter 2 Flashcards
types of noise
external- things in the environment that obscure detection of the signal
internal- neural noise; neuron fires randomly, speeds up firing when light is present and slows when it’s not
average human brain
86 billion neurons
action potential
sodium in
refractory period
potassium out
synapse
neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron and bind to post synaptic neuron
different neurotransmitters can excite/inhibit post synaptic neuron
sensory receptors
transform stimulus energy into electrical energy that neurons can use to communicate
transduction
transformation of stimulus energy into electrochemical energy
receptor sepecificity
most receptors are optimallly tuned for a specific type/pattern of stimulus energy
chemorecptors
detect specific shapes of molecules
photoreceptors
detect specific wavelengths of electromagnetic energy
glial cells
maintains the integrity of the neurons and acs as structural support
eye trackers
specialized camera uses infrared light to measure eye movements
eeg
measure electrical activity from populations of neurons in the brain, measuring brainwaves
brainwaves
voltage fluctuations over time
pros and cons of erp/eeg
cheap and has great temporal resolution, has poor spatial resolution and hard to say exactly what location past the electrode site
