Emergent Properties Flashcards
What is neural plasticity?
The ability of the brain’s networks to adapt and evolve based on input
What makes teh brain function greater than individual neurons?
The complex linking of neurons into circuits and their plasticity
What are effective behaviours?
Feelings and emotions
What are cognitive behaviours?
Thinking processes
What are possible reasons we sleep?
Conserve energy
Avoid predators
Repair
Process memories
Immune response
Clean CSF
What tool shows stages of sleep?
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
What are circadian rhythms?
Daily rest/activity patterns that follow light-dark cycles
Where is the primary clock in humans located?
Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus
What hormone is linked to circadian rhythms?
Melatonin
What brain region is central to emotion?
The amygdala in the limbic system
What are common emotions?
Happiness
Fear
Anger
Pleasure
How does motivation work?
Internal signals drive behaviour toward goals or away from danger
What are the 3 properties of motivational drives?
Increase CNS arousal
Create goal-oriented behaviour
Coordinate goal-seeking actions
What is satiety?
The feeling of satisfaction that stops motivational behaviours
What are the two broad types of learning?
Associative
Non-associative
What is associative learning?
Learning by associating two stimuli (Pavlov’s dogs)
What are two forms non-associative learning?
Habituation
Sensitisation
What is memory?
The ability to retain and recal information
What are the types of memory?
Short-term
Long-term
Reflexive
Declarative
What is working memory?
A form of short-term memory used to perfom tasks
What is memory consolidation?
Converting short-term meory into long-term memory
What is anterograde amnesia?
Inability to from new memories
Which brain hemisphere is usually dominant for language?
The left
What areas of the brain process laguage?
Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas
What is receptive aphasia?
Damage to Wernicke’s area - difficulty understadning language
What is expressive aphasia?
Damage to Broca’s area - difficulty producing language
WHat shapes peresonality?
A mix of experience, inheritence, and prenatal hormone exposure
Whta are the chances pf developing schizophrenia if one parent has it?
10%
What are the chances of developing schixophrenia if an identical twin has it?
50%
WHat influences schizophrenia risk?
Genetic and environmental factors
How is schizophrenia treated?
With antippsychotic drugs that often block dopamine
