Psych Research Methods Flashcards
What is decussation?
Crossing of nerve fibers from one side of the brain/spinal cord to the other.
What is the pinna?
The external, visible part of the ear that helps collect sound.
What is the cochlea?
A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that processes sound vibrations into nerve signals.
What is the malleus?
Outer ear bone (‘hammer’)
What is the stapes?
Inner ear bone (‘stirrup’)
What is the incus?
Middle ear bone (‘anvil’)
What is a mechanoreceptor?
Sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion (touch, vibration, stretch).
What is the organ of Corti?
Structure inside the cochlea that converts sounds into action potentials via transduction
What is the tectorial membrane?
A membrane in the cochlea that sits above the hair cells and helps stimulate them during sound waves.
What are stereocilia?
Tiny hair-like projections on top of hair cells that move in response to sound and trigger electrical signals.
What are tip links?
Fine filaments connecting stereocilia; help open ion channels when stereocilia are bent.
What does tonotopic mean?
Organization where different sound frequencies are processed at specific locations (e.g., in the cochlea or auditory cortex).
What is conduction deafness?
Hearing loss caused by problems transmitting sound to the inner ear (e.g., earwax, damaged bones).
What is sensorineural deafness?
Hearing loss due to damage in the inner ear or auditory nerve pathways.
What is Wernicke’s aphasia?
Language disorder with fluent but nonsensical speech and poor understanding, caused by damage to Wernicke’s area.
What is Broca’s aphasia?
Language disorder causing broken, effortful speech but relatively good understanding, due to damage to Broca’s area.
What is a sound shadow?
Area where sound waves are blocked or weakened by an object, helping with sound localization.
What is echolocation?
Using reflected sound waves to detect objects and navigate (used by bats, dolphins, and some blind humans).
What are dermatomes?
Areas of skin supplied by sensory fibers from a single spinal nerve.
What is a homunculus?
A distorted map showing how body parts are represented in the brain (larger areas for more sensitive parts).
What is the lateral corticospinal tract?
Motor pathway that controls movement of limbs and digits; crosses over (decussates) in the medulla.
What is the anterior corticospinal tract?
Motor pathway that controls trunk muscles; mostly remains on the same side until reaching the spinal cord.
What are the basal ganglia?
Group of brain structures that regulate voluntary movement, motor control, and habits.
What are hypokinetic movements?
Reduced or slowed movement (e.g., Parkinson’s disease).
