Chapter 3.1 Flashcards

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1
Q

Biological Psychologists/ Neuroscientists

A

-study the brain and behaviour

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2
Q

Phrenology

A

-exploration of the shape, size, and protrusions of the cranium
-super popular in 1820s
-incorrect map of the mind
-pseudoscience; was falsifiable

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3
Q

Original Phrenology Beliefs

A

-brain is sole organ of the mind
-character traits + intelligence are inherited
-differences between people result from structural brain differences

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4
Q

Disproved Phrenology Beliefs

A

-it was found that areas they thought corresponded to traits did not lead to deficits

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5
Q

Phrenology Example

A

Scientists saw bumps or divots in the shape of neural areas as strengths or weaknesses in traits and brain functions

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6
Q

Electrical Stimulation

A

-investigating brain function by electrically stimulating brain during neurosurgery
-supported that neural communication was electrical

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7
Q

Wilder Penfield

A

-American-Canadian neurosurgeon
-integral to development and expansion of this technique (electrical stimulation of the brain during surgery)
-“Burnt Toast” video

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8
Q

Lesion Studies

A

-specific area was damaged to understand the impairment
-done on animal models

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9
Q

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A

-recording of the brain’s electrical activity at the surface of the skull
-developed by Hans Berger in 1929
-tells which areas of brain are active during specific tasks

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10
Q

EEG Advantages

A

-non-invasive
-high temporal resolution

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11
Q

EEG Disadvantges

A

-doesn’t tell us about individual cell activity
-doesn’t tell us about brain region activation with accuracy or in the deep brain

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12
Q

Computed Tomography (CT) Scans

A

-scanning technique using multiple x-rays to construct 3D images

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13
Q

CT Scan Advantages

A

-good for detecting dense tissue

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14
Q

CT Scan Disadvantages

A

-static image
-do details of activity

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15
Q

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A

-technique that uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structure
-detect soft tissue

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16
Q

Advantages of MRI Over CT

A

-detects soft tissue
-higher spacial resolution

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17
Q

Disadvantages of MRI

A

-expensive
-static image
-no details regarding activity

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18
Q

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

A

-imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose-like molecules
-yields a picture of neural activity in different brain regions
-measures changes in activity in response to stimuli

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19
Q

PET Scan Advantages

A

-can attach radioactive isotopes to drugs to see where they are used
-shows activity

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20
Q

PET Scan Disadvantages

A

-invasive
-poor time course (static image)
-poor spatial resolution

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21
Q

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A

-uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity
-detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity

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22
Q

fMRI Advantages

A

-see activity with good image clarity

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23
Q

fMRI Disadvantages

A

-sensitive to motion
-spatial resolution is just ok
-expensive
-poor temporal resolution (better than PET/CT)

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24
Q

Spatial Resolution

A

-ability to tell you which area is active
-ability to differentiate two adjacent structures as being distinct from each other

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25
Q

Temporal Resolution

A

-ability to tell you exactly when the activation happened

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26
Q

Static Image

A

-image doesn’t move

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27
Q

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A

-applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function
-allows us to see which brain areas are involved in processes

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28
Q

TMS Advantages

A

-can inhibit neural function
-allows us to infer causation

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29
Q

TMS Disadvantages

A

-can cause seizures if incorrectly used
-doesn’t work on deep brain, only cortex

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30
Q

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A

-measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated by the brain

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31
Q

MEG Advantages

A

-excellent temporal resolution
-reasonable spatial resolution

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32
Q

MEG Disadvantages

A

-not good at detecting deep brain activity
-expensive
-high degree of expertise required

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33
Q

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

A

-electrodes are implanted within brain to provide stimulation detection to certain areas
-treatment of neuropsychological conditions
-assesses brain activity

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34
Q

DBS Disadvantages

A

-invasive - requires neurosurgery
-researchers have no control of where electrodes go
-must be implanted for medical purposes

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35
Q

Localization of Function

A

-certain brain areas are found to be particularly active during a specific psychological task
-caution for claims with limited evidence

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36
Q

Multiple Brain Regions

A

-multiple areas of the brain contribute to certain functions
-complex functions unlikely to be contained to one area
-depends on the task
-ie. Brocas Area

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37
Q

Brocas Area

A

-well known role in speech production
-also role in recognition of musical notes

38
Q

Lateralization

A

cognitive function that relies more on one side of the brain over the other

39
Q

Split-brain Surgery

A

Procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures

40
Q

Neuron

A

-nerve cell specialized for communication
-the brain has ~100 billion neurons

41
Q

Cell Body (Soma)

A

-central region of the neuron
-manufactures cell components
-contains the nucleus (protein manufacture)

42
Q

Dendrites

A

-portion of neuron that receives signals
-branchlike extensions

43
Q

Axon

A

-portion of the neuron that sends signals

44
Q

Axon Terminal

A

-knoblike structure at the far end
-releases synaptic vesicles

45
Q

Synaptic Vesicle

A

-spherical sac containing neurotransmitters

46
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

-chemical messenger specialized for communication from neuron to neuron

47
Q

Information within a cell

A

-electrical communication

48
Q

Information between cells

A

-chemical communication (synapse)

49
Q

Synapse

A

-space between two connecting neurons through which messages are transmitted chemically

50
Q

Synaptic Cleft

A

-gap in which NTs are released from the axon terminal

51
Q

Glial Cells

A

-cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the BBB
-responds to injury, removes debris, enhances learning and memory

52
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

-glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neurons signal

53
Q

Astrocytes

A

-responsible for the BBB
-embryo development
-thought, memory, immune system

54
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

-promotes new connections among nerve cells
-aid in healing
-produces myelin sheath

55
Q

Resting Potential

A

-electrical change difference (-60 to -70 mV)
-when neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited

56
Q

Threshold

A

-membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential
-all-or-none law

57
Q

Action Potential

A

-electrical impulse that travels down the axon
-triggers the release of NTs

58
Q

Absolute Refractory Period

A

-time during which another action potential is impossible
-limits maximal firing rate

59
Q

Graded Potentials

A

-postsynaptic potentials that can be excitatory or inhibitory depending on +/- charge flow across membrane

60
Q

Relative Refractory Period

A

-interval of time when a second action potential can be initiated
-will require a greater stimulus than before

61
Q

All or None Law

A

-cell depolarizes or it does not
-stronger signals ≠ stronger action potentials
-stronger signals = more action potentials

62
Q

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)

A

-graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by excitatory synaptic transmission

63
Q

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)

A

-graded potential in a dendrite that is caused by inhibitory synaptic transmission

64
Q

Receptor Site

A

location that uniquely recognizes a NT

65
Q

Reuptake

A

-recycling of NTs by presynaptic axon terminals

66
Q

Neurotransmitter Synthesis

A

-occurs in presynaptic terminals
-enzymes transported to cytoplasm

67
Q

Neurotransmitter Storage

A

-stored in synaptic vesicles in presynaptic axons

68
Q

Excitatory NTs

A

-excite the nervous system
-increase activity

69
Q

Inhibitory NTs

A

-inhibit nervous system
-decrease activity

70
Q

Glutamate

A

-main excitatory NT
-sensory and learning
-alcohol and sensory enhancers

71
Q

GABA

A

-main inhibitory NT
-alcohol and anti-anxiety

72
Q

Norepinephrine

A

-both excitatory and inhibitory
-cortical arousal
-amphetamine and methamphetamine

73
Q

Acetlycholine

A

-cortical arousal
-attention
-memory
-muscle contraction
-nicotine, botox, memory enhancers

74
Q

Dopamine

A

-motor function
-pleasure
-Leva dopa (Parkinsons), antipsychotics

75
Q

Serotonin

A

-mood regulation
-aggression
-sleep-wake cycles
-temperature
-anti-depressants

76
Q

Endorphins

A

-pain killer
-codeine, morphine, heroin

77
Q

Anandamide

A

-pain killer
-appetite increase
-THC

78
Q

Psychoactive Drugs

A

-impact the nervous system

79
Q

Agonist

A

-drug enhances activity at the receptor site
-either binds to receptor or blocks reuptake

80
Q

Antagonist

A

-drug reduces activity at the receptor site
-binds to receptor site and blocks NTs

81
Q

Neural Plasticity

A

-ability of neurons in the nervous system to change over time
-change in structure or function

82
Q

Plasticity over development

A

-brain doesn’t fully mature until early adulthood
-brain changes even in later years
-4 parts:

83
Q

Growth

A

-of dendrites and axons in the nervous system

84
Q

Synaptogenesis

A

-formation of new synapses

85
Q

Pruning

A

-death of certain neurons
-retraction of axons to remove connections that aren’t useful

86
Q

Myelination

A

-insulation of axons with a myelin sheath

87
Q

Neural Plasticity and Learning

A

-brains change as we learn
-creation of new synapses
-potentiation
-structural plasticity

88
Q

Potentiation

A

-increased connection and communication among neurons
-strengthening of existing connections

89
Q

Structural Plasticity

A

-change in the shape of neurons

90
Q

Neural Plasticity following Injury and Degeneration

A

-neural connections can take the place of others

91
Q

Neurogenesis

A

-creation of new neurons in the adult brain

92
Q

Stem Cells

A

-a cell having the capacity to differentiate into more specialized cells
-used to repair and replace