Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

1st Year > PSYCH 104 Midterm 2 (The brain) > Flashcards

PSYCH 104 Midterm 2 (The brain) Flashcards

1
Q

Depolarization

A

Depolarization: the reduction of a membranes resting potential so that it is less negative (closer to zero)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Action potential

A

Action potential: electrical impulse that travels down the axon triggering the release of neurotransmitters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Repolarization

A

Repolarization: Na+ channels close, K+ channels open

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Hyperpolarization

A

Hyperpolarization: the overshoot of repolarization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Refractory period:

A

Refractory period: the time at which it takes repolarization and hyperpolarization to occur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Postsynaptic potential (PSP)

A

Postsynaptic potential (PSP)
A voltage change at a receptor site on a postsynaptic cell membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Excitatory PSP

A

Excitatory PSP
○ A positive voltage shift that increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials (because it gets closer to the -55mV threshold)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Inhibitory PSP

A

Inhibitory PSP
○ A negative voltage shift that decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will fire action potentials (because it gets further from the -55mV threshold)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Reuptake

A

Reuptake
○ Reobsorbtion of the neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Amino acids

A
  • Amino acids
    § Glutamate, GABA
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Monoamines

A

Monoamines
○ Catecholamines
§ Dopamine
§ Norepinepherine
○ Indolamines
§ Serotonin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Acetylcholine

A
  • Acetylcholine
    ○ Released by motor neurons
    ○ Contributes to the regulation of attention, arousal and memory
    ○ Nicotine stimulates Ach receptors
    ○ Memory enhancers increase ach
    ○ Insecticides block the breakdown of Ach creating excess amounts
    ○ Botox causes paralysis by blocking Ach
    ○ Alzheimer’s disease is associated with low levels of Ach
    (is a small molecule neurotransmitter)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Unconventional neurotransmitters

A
  • Unconventional neurotransmitters
    ○ Soluble gases
    ○ Endocannabinoids
    § Anandamide
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Large molecule neurotransmitters
(What are they?)

A

Large molecule neurotransmitters
- Pituitary peptides
- Hypothalamic peptides
- Brain-glut peptides
- Opioid peptides
- Miscellaneous peptides
- Endorphins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q
  • Dopamine’s (DA)
A
  • Dopamine’s (DA)
    ○ Contributes to control of voluntary movement
    ○ Cocaine and amphetamines elevate activity in DA synapses
    ○ Dopamine circuits in medial forebrain bundle characterized as “reward pathway”
    ○ Degeneration of DA neurons is believed to be responsible for symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q
  • Serotonin (5-HT)
A
  • Serotonin (5-HT)
    ○ Involved in regulation of sleep and wakefulness eating and aggression
    ○ Prozac and similar antidepressant drugs affect serotonin circuits
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q
  • Norepinepherine (NE)
A
  • Norepinepherine (NE)
    ○ Brain arousal and other functions like mood, hunger, sleep, and sexual behavior
    ○ Drugs such as amphetamines and methamphetamines increase NE levels ○ Also known as nonamphetamine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q
  • GABA
A
  • GABA (ONLY INHIBITORY)
    ○ Gabba-aminobutyric acid
    ○ The brain’s main inhibitory transmitter
    ○ Contributes to regulation of anxiety and sleep/arousal
    ○ Contributes to regulation of anxiety and sleep/arousal
    ○ Valium and similar antianxiety drugs work at GABA synapses
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Glutamate

A
  • Glutamate
    ○ Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system participates in relay of sensory information and learning
  • an amino acid
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Anandamide

A
  • Anandamide
    ○ Binds to the same receptors as THC, the active ingredient in cannabis leaves
    ○ Comes from the Sanskrit word Ananda which means joy
    ○ Occurs in both the central and peripheral nervous system
    ○ Likely plays a role in eating, memory, motivation and sleep
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

CIPA

A

(CIPA: the ability to not feel pain)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Endorphins

A
  • Endorphins (they work as a morphine and neurotransmitter)
    ○ More of these means less pain
    ○ Opposite is true
    ○ A naturally occuring analgesic
    ○ Inhibit the communication of pain signals to the spinal cord
    ○ Exercise causes more of these to appear
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Neural plasticity

A

Neural plasticity: the ability for neural tissue to change and adapt over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Neuroplasticity (Job in early development)

A

Job in early development:
1. Growth of dendrites and axons
2. Synaptogenesis
○ Formation of new synapses
3. Pruning
○ The removal of extra synapses to increase the efficiency of a neural network
○ Occurs until age ten
○ About 70% of neurons die off
4. Myelination: the insulation of axons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Neuroplasticity (Job in learning)

A

Job in learning:
- Long term potentiation of synapses
○ A long lasting enhancement in signal transmission between two neurons that results from stimulating them synchronously
- Structural changes
○ Axonal growth
○ Dendritic branching / growth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Neuroplasticity (Jobs in injury)

A

Jobs in injury: (99% time damage is permanent)
- Brain regions can sometimes take over functions previously formed by others
- Researchers are searching for treatments to promote healing and prevent cell damage
○ Stem cell: a cell with the ability to specialize into any cell we need
- Neurogenesis: creation of new neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Meninges

A

Meninges
- Three protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
○ Dura matter
§ Thickest
○ Arachnoid matter
○ Pia matter

28
Q

Cerebral ventricles

A

Cerebral ventricles: pockets in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which provide the brain with nutrients and cushion against injury
- Note: CSF is also found in the subarachnoid space

29
Q

Franz Joseph Gall

A

Franz Joseph Gall
- 1758 - 1828
- He stated that
○ All mental functions arise from the brain
○ Mind and body are not separate entities
○ Brain consists of functional regions
§ Also a proponent of phrenology unfortunately
HE WAS LATER PROVED TO BE WRONG IN THAT THE BRAIN HAS REGIONS

30
Q

Cerebral cortex

A

Cerebral cortex: outermost part of the forebrain
- Responsible for
○ Analyzing sensory information processing and higher brain functions

31
Q

Cerebral hemispheres

A

Cerebral hemispheres
- Two halves of the cerebral cortex

32
Q

Corpus collosum:

A

Corpus collosum:
- Large band of fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

33
Q

The frontal lobe (purpose)

A

The frontal lobe: performs functions that coordinate other brain areas, motor planning, language, and memory.

34
Q

The frontal lobe (Primary motor cortex)

A
  • Primary motor cortex
    ○ Part of the frontal lobe responsible for bodily movement
35
Q

The frontal lobe (Prefrontal cortex)

A
  • Prefrontal cortex
    ○ Part of the frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning and language
36
Q

The frontal lobe (Broca’s area)

A
  • Broca’s area
    ○ Language area in the prefrontal cortex that helps to control speech production and some aspects of speech comprehension
37
Q

The parietal lobe (purpose)

A

The parietal lobe
- Processes touch information, integrates vision and touch
○ Primary somatic sensory cortex
§ Regions of the cerebral cortex that initially processes information from the senses

38
Q

The temporal lobe (purpose)

A

The temporal lobe
- Processes auditory information, language, and autobiographical memory
○ Wernicke’s area
§ Part of the temporal lobe involved in understanding speech

39
Q

The occipital lobe (purpose)

A

The occipital lobe
- Back part of the cerebral cortex
○ Specialized for vision

40
Q

The basal ganglia (purpose)

A

The basal ganglia
- A group of nuclei (clusters of neurons) located beneath the cerebral cortex
○ Involved in goal directed motor control
○ Contains dopamine neurons and is closely associated with reward and motivation

41
Q

The limbic system (purpose)

A

The limbic system
- A loosely connected network of structures located roughly along the border between the cereberal cortex and deeper subcortical areas
○ Plays a role in olfaction (smell), memory, motivation, and emotion

42
Q

The thalamus (Purpose)

A

The thalamus (like a relay station)
- Gateway from the sense organs to the primary sensory cortex
○ All sensory information (except smell) is relayed through the thalamus

43
Q

The hypothalamus (purpose)

A

The hypothalamus
- The part of the brain that regulates the pituitary gland and is responsible for maintaining a constant internal state
○ The four Fs (fleeing, fighting, fornification)
○ Body temp
○ Hunger and thirst
○ Sleep
○ Emotional behavior

44
Q

The hippocampus (purpose)

A

The hippocampus:
- The part of the brain that plays a role in spatial memory and may be necessary for new memories
- We have one in our left and one in our right brain

45
Q

Clive Wearing

A

He suffered from severe retrograde and anograde amnesia
- He lost the ability to memorize written things

46
Q

Amygdala (purpose)

A

Amygdala:
- Plays a role in fear, excitement, and arousal
- We have one per hemisphere

47
Q

The brain stem (purpose)

A

The brain stem
- Part of the brain between the spinal cord and cereberal cortex that contains the midbrain, pons, and medulla
○ Midbrain
§ Part of the brain stem that contributes to movement, tracking visual stimuli and reflexes triggered by sound

48
Q

Cerebellum (Purpose)

A

Cerebellum (not actually a part of the brain stem - hindbrain)
- Hindbrain structure responsible for our sense of balance
- Likely plays a role in other areas
○ Executive function
○ Spatial abilities
○ Aspects of language

49
Q

Reticular formation (Purpose)

A

Reticular formation
- A complex network of about 100 tiny nuclei that occupies the central core of the brain stem
○ Contains the reticular activating system
§ The hypothetical System of the reticular formation
§ Responsible for arousal and conciousness

50
Q

Spinal cord (purpose)

A

Spinal cord:
- Thick bundle of nerves that conveys signals between the brain and the body

51
Q

Interneurons (purpose)

A

Interneurons:
- Neuron that sends messages to other neurons nearby

52
Q

Reflex (What is it?)

A

Reflex:
- An automatic motor response to sensory stimulus

53
Q

Peripheral nervous system (Two main branches)

A

The peripheral nervous system
- Divided into two main functions
○ The somatic system
§ Controls voluntary movement
○ The autonomic nervous system
§ Automatic neural activity
□ Sympathetic
□ Parasympathetic

54
Q

Phrenology (what is it?)

A

Phrenology:
- Not a widely accepted view
- Basically your brain can be divided into sections each responsible for their own psychological trait
- They could examine these by looking at bumps on the skull
- It was killed by the fact that when someone was injured things were not predictable by phrenology

55
Q

When is brain surgery often done?

A

Brain surgery is almost always done with the individual awake and alert

56
Q

Brain damage:

A

Brain damage:
- Localized brain functions can be assessed by examining brain damage and seeing what behavioral issues arise from it
○ Via post-mortem examination or stereotaxic lesions in lab animals

57
Q

Electrocochleograph (EEG)

A

Electrocochleograph (EEG)
- Records the brains electrical activity at the surface of the skull
○ Pros
§ Used in human and non-human animals
§ Detects rapid changes in electrical activity
§ Non invasive
○ Cons
§ Shows only large aggregates of natural activity (has low spatial resolution)

58
Q

Computed tomography (CT)

A
  • Computed tomography (CT)
    ○ A scanning technique using multiple X-rays to construct three dimensional images
59
Q
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
    ○ Technique that uses strong magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structures
    § Better suites than CT scans for visualizing soft tissues like brain tumors
60
Q
  • Positron emission tomography (PET)
A

Functional brain scans
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
○ An invasive imaging technique that measures consumption of glucose like molecules, yielding a picture of neural activity in different brain regions
○ You get a glucose injection beforehand and it measures the use of glucose

61
Q
  • Functional MRI (fMRI)
A
  • Functional MRI (fMRI)
    ○ Technique that uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity using the BOLD response
    ○ BOLD = Blood Oxygen Level Dependent
    ○ Highly sensitive to motion
    ○ Questions about data analysis
    ○ They work by collecting a baseline measure
    § They then take another measure when something is being done
    § The grey area is what saw no change in activity levels
    § A coloured area is when there’s a difference
62
Q
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
A

Magnetic stimulation
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
○ A technique that applies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function
§ Non invasive
○ It can actually depolarize or hyperpolarize neurons
○ Allows us to manipulate brain areas
○ May be known as a treatment for depression someday
○ Very new technology

63
Q

Neuroanatomical techniques
- Golgi stain

A

Neuroanatomical techniques
- Golgi stain
○ A neural stain that completely darkens a few of the neurons in each slice of tissue, thereby revealing their silhouettes
Was actually discovered by accident

64
Q

Neuroanatomical techniques
- Nissl stain

A
  • Nissl stain
    A neural stain that has an affinity for structures in neuron cell bodies
65
Q

Neuroanatomical techniques
- Electron microscopy

A
  • Electron microscopy
    ○ A microscopy technique used to study the fine details of cellular structure
    ○ They coat the tissue with electrons and magnify them

1st Year (37 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions