neuropsych Flashcards
what is the nervous system made up of and what do they do
it is made up of neurons that use electrical impulses to pass information around the body
describe a sensory neuron and its function
- carry information from sensory receptors to the CNS
- the brain translates the impulses into sensations e.g. heat/pain
- one end receives info from sense organs and the other sends messages on
- each stem ends with small branches called dendrites
describe a relay neuron and its function
- allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate with each other
- located in the CNS and surrounded by dendrites
- where the analysis of sensory information happens
describe a motor neuron and its function
- it stimulates the muscles for movement
- send messages from the CNS to muscles
- begin in the spinal cord with a long axon which leads to the muscle
- divides into dendrites called the motor end plate, which connects with the muscles
explain the difference between a sensory neuron and a relay neuron
a sensory neuron carries information from sensory receptors to the CNS while relay neurons allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate. Relay neurons analyse the sensory information whereas sensory neurons only receive and send messages on.
explain the process of synaptic transmission
- electrical signal travels to end of presynaptic neuron and reaches terminal button
- vesicles release chemicals called neurotransmitters which crosses the synaptic cleft
- receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron take up neurotransmitter
- chemical message is turned back into electrical impulse and travels along postsynaptic neuron
- neurotransmitter left behind in synaptic cleft broken down and reabsorbed
describe and explain the effects of an excitatory neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic neuron
- an example of an excitatory neurotransmitter is adrenaline
- it increases the postsynaptic neurons positive charge
- which makes it more likely to fire
describe and explain the effect of an inhibitory neurotransmitter
- an inhibitory neurotransmitter would be serotonin
- it increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron
- makes it less likely to fire
define summation
a single neuron receives signals from many other neurons in a network, so summation means the neuron fires when there are enough excitatory signal compared to inhibitory ones
what is the difference between excitation and inhibition
excitation increases the postsynaptic neurons positive charge and makes it more likely to fire, for example adrenaline, whereas inhibition increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron, making it less likely to fire, like serotonin
explain how excitation and inhibition work together
neurotransmitters like adrenaline increase the positive charge of the next neuron, making it more likely to fire. other neurotransmitters like serotonin increase the negative charge of the next neuron, making it less likely to fire. when there are enough excitatory signals compared to inhibitory ones, the neuron fires, causing summation
according to Hebb, what happens to neurons in the brain when we learn
new connections are formed between neurons and become stronger the more they are used
what did Hebb mean when he described the brain as plastic
it is constantly changing and developing
when in life does the brain show plasticity
all the time and at any age when we learn something new
what is an engram
a trace left in the brain from learning
how is an engram like a sparkler
it leaves a trace when lit, the brain leaves a trace when it learns something new
how is an engram unlike a sparkler
the trace in the brain can be made permanent if the learning is practiced and rehearsed, while the spark quickly fades after it dies out
what are cell assemblies and how do they work
they are groups of neurons that fire together during learning. the more this happens the stronger the synaptic connections between them occur and the more efficient the group of neurons become
evaluate hebbs theory
+ it is scientific, Hebb explained learning in terms of brain function which provided an objective basis for understanding behaviour, so shows that learning can be studied through brain processes
+ it can be applied to education, rats raised in stimulating settings were better able to find their way through mazes as adults, could be applied to learning by creating more stimulating environments to encourage learning
- it reduces learning to a neuronal level as it ignores other levels of understanding e.g. piaget’s idea that accommodation moves learning forwards, a more complete account of learning would discuss non-biological factors as well
define localisation
particular areas of the brain have particular functions and do particular jobs, so if a certain brain area is damaged then the function is controls may be affected or lost altogether
describe the function of the frontal lobe
it controls thought, memory and planning and also includes the motor area, the motor area in one hemisphere controls movement on the opposite side of the body
describe the function of the parietal lobe
it is responsible for integrating information from other areas to form basis of complex behaviours, including the senses, also includes the somatosensory area
describe the function of the temporal lobe
helps us understand and process what we hear and is responsible for comprehension and production of spoken language as well as emotions and emotional memory
describe the function of the occipital lobe and what happens if its damaged
where all the visual information is processed such as colour, shape and distance, injury to the primary visual cortex can cause vision impairments such a blindness or blind spots
describe the location and function of the motor area
it is in the frontal lobe, the motor area in one hemisphere controls movement in the opposite side of the body, so damage to the left motor area causes movement problems on the right
describe the location and function of the somatosensory area and what happens if its damaged
it is in the parietal lobe and is the area where sensations are processed, the most sensitive sensitive body parts take up the most ‘space’ in this area, damage means the person is less likely to feel things like pain and changes in temperature
describe the location and function of Broca’s area and what happens if it was damaged
a small area at the base of the left frontal lobe which controls speech production, damage leads to Broca’s aphasia, which is a difficulty in remembering and forming words
describe the location and function of Wernicke’s area and what happens if its damaged
located in the left temporal lobe and concerned with understanding speech, if damaged it leads to Wernicke’s aphasia which is a difficulty in understanding what people are saying
describe the function of the brain stem
controls basic autonomic functions e.g. breathing and heart rate
describe the function and location of the cerebellum
it is found at the back of the brain, activities are carried out automatically and are not under conscious control, receives information from the spinal cord and other parts of the brain to help with coordination, balance and fine movements
outline the difference in function between the motor and somatosensory areas of the brain
the motor area is in the frontal lobe, and controls movement on the opposite side of the body. the somatosensory area is in the parietal lobe, and processes sensations. both areas control and process different parts of the body
what are groups of neurons firing together during learning called
cell assemblies
hebb’s theory is
reductionist, as it explains learning in terms of neurons
which neurons have long dendrites and short axons
sensory neurons
explain the function of the cerebellum
the cerebellum receives information from the spinal cord and other parts of the brain and helps with balance and coordination. it controls actions like walking and running and makes them smoother and more automatic
