Definititions

Question 1

Neuroplasticity

Answer 1

• The idea that the brain can change throughout its life by the making and breaking of synaptic connections
• Synaptic plasticity is the ability of a neuron to make and break synaptic connections.
• Cortical remapping is the ability of one area of the brain to assume to the functions of another part.
• Genetics imply that there is a pre-programmed set of genetics the brain can evolve off of.
• Environmental factors imply that there is an external stimulus that helps the brain to . evolve such as learning.

Question 2

Neurotransmitters

Answer 2

• They are chemical transmitters
• They are released from the axon terminal into the synaptic gap all inside the neuron.
• The neuron is made up of the soma (the body) the dendrites (with the synaptic gaps at the ends of them) and the axon terminal (where the neurotransmitters are released from)

Question 3

Serotonin

Answer 3

An inhibitory neurotransmitter, involved in sustaining stable mood and regulating sleep cycles

Question 4

Brain Imaging techniques

Answer 4

Brain imaging techniques are a harmless alternative to invasive procedures when trying to understand the brain.

Question 5

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 5

• When energy pulses are detected from the scanner the relative distribution of hydrogen atoms in the brain can be mapped.

Question 6

MRI advantages

Answer 6

• Allows non-exposure to radiation therefore less risk of radiation induced cancer.
• MRIs have better resolution which can help to detect abnormalities in soft tissue.
• Non-invasive

Question 7

MRI disadvantages

Answer 7

• People with metal in their bodies, such as a pacemaker, are not able to go under the MRI scanner.
• It is an issue for claustrophobic people because patients have to be in a narrow tube with a loud noise for several minutes.
• Problematic for children since patients have to stay still during the scan
• More expensive than a CAT scan
• Very high resolution so it can detect abnormalities not related to the main problem.

Question 8

Hormones

Answer 8

• Chemical messengers
• Released into the blood stream and travels throughout the body by blood.
• Can reach more places than neurotransmitters because blood vessels are very elaborate
• Released by endocrine system
• Can only influence Target Cells, which are the cells that have the correct hormone receptor to match with the hormone

Question 9

Oxytocin

Answer 9

• Produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland into blood
• Referred to as “love hormone” because it plays a role in sexual reproduction and childbirth, along with social bonding
• Oxytocin production releases milk in new mothers. It also aids contractions during childbirth
• Oxytocin levels are usually higher in women because of the need to protect children.

Question 10

Genetic Similarities

Answer 10

• Similarities in family members, biological and not.
• Most common ways of testing is with twin studies
• Genes: a unit of hereditary that is transferred from parent to offspring (often noticed by physical similarities)

Question 11

Twins

Answer 11

• Monozygotic twins (MZ) have the same genetic makeup, basically making them identical
• Dizygotic twins (DZ) come from two different eggs and share about 50% of the same genotype because they are essentially just siblings born at the same time

Question 12

Evolutionary explainations

Answer 12

• The theory of evolution is that organisms are driven by the need to survive and reproduce.
• Differential fitness is the idea that some organisms adapt differently to their environment.
• The organisms that adapt well to the environment survive and produced offspring to continue the line. this is called survival of the fittest
  The organisms that adapt poorly don’t survive which is called natural selection