neurotransmission Flashcards
what is a neurotransmitter
chemicals released by a presynaptic neuron to send signals to the post synaptic neuron
what is the function of glutamate
Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, speeding up neural activity. Has an important role in learning
excitatory neurotransmitters
stimulate or activate post-synaptic neurons, increasing their likelihood of firing.
inhibitory neurotransmitters
suppress or slow down post synaptic neuron activity, decreasing their likelihood of firing
what is an example of an excitatory neurotransmitter
glutamate
what is an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter
GABA
what are neuromodulators
chemicals released by neurons to alter the effectiveness of neural transmission
within subjects
an investigation design in which all participants in the sample are involved in both the experimental and control conditions
between subjects
an investigation design in which participants are randomly allocated to either the control or the experimental condition
mixed design
an investigation that combines features of both a between subjects design and a within subjects design.
target population
the entire group of people belonging to a particular category that is of interest to the researcher
convenience technique
Participants are selected for the sample based on the ease and access of selection
random technique
Participants selected using a random method so that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample
stratified technique
Members of the population are broken into strata based on particular characteristics. A proportionate number of members in each group are randomly selected for the sample
what is an advantage and disadvantage of convenience
advantage - The sample is very easy to obtain
disadvantage - The sample is likely to be biased
what is an advantage and disadvantage of random sampling
advantage - The sample is somewhat representative of the target population but this depends on the sample size (eg. The larger the sample the more likely it will be representative)
disadvantage - Can only be completed if you have complete lists of the target population
what is an advantage and disadvantage of stratified
advantage - The sample is representative of the population
Disadvantage - It takes a lot of resources to select a sample
random error
affect the precision of a measurement and are present in most measurements. Random errors are unpredictable variations in the measurement process and result in a spread of readings
systematic error
Affects the accuracy of the measurement. These errors cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amounts so that all readings differ in one direction from the true value.
what causes a random error?
Random errors may be caused by limitations of instruments, environmental factors or slight variations in procedure
how can random errors be reduced?
- making more or repeated measurements and calculating a new mean
- Increasing sample size
- Refining the measurement method
what causes systematic errors?
They may be observational errors, imperfect instrument calibration and environmental interference
how can systematic errors be reduced?
- Being familiar with the limitations of the instrument
- Experience with the correct use of an instrument
agonist
a substance that mimics the actions of a neurotransmitter or hormone to produce a response when it binds to a specific receptor in the brain.
antagonist
a substance or molecule that binds to a receptor in the brain, effectively blocking the action of a neurotransmitter and preventing it from activating the receptor.
