Psychology AOS2 Flashcards
Outline the function of each part of a neuron.
Dendrites - Receive neuronal messages
Myelin Insulates the neuron and prevents disturbance from other neurons
Axon terminals - Sends neuronal messages to the next neuron
Outline how neurons communicate with each other.
Neuronal messages are communicated at the synapse, which refers to the region that includes the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron, the synaptic gap, and the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron.
Outline the function and location of these brain parts: Hindbrain: cerebellum, medulla
The cerebellum is involved in maintaining balance and posture, and has an important role in controlling voluntary movement involving ‘procedures’ or ‘sequences’. It is found in the hindbrain.
The medulla is a mass of neurons that primarily functions to regulate autonomic processes, such as respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. The medulla also has an important role in initiating reflexive actions, including coughing, sneezing, and vomiting.
Midbrain: reticular formation
The reticular formation is a network of neurons located predominantly in the midbrain, although it is not strictly confined to this brain region and extends along the brainstem. The reticular formation functions to filter neural information that is travelling to the brain and direct these messages to various areas and structures of the brain. integrate and relay neural information relating to survival and reflexive functions.
Forebrain: hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebrum
The hypothalamus functions to maintain optimal biological functioning by regulating internal processes, including hormone levels, hunger, thirst, body temperature, and blood pressure
The thalamus is composed of two oval structures located deep beneath the cerebrum and above the midbrain. The thalamus functions as a filtering system and relay centre for sensory information, excluding olfactory information, which refers to smells detected by the nose. In other words, all incoming sensory information relating to vision, hearing, taste, and touch is analysed by the thalamus, and the most important information is extracted.
The cerebrum is a large expanse of brain matter and the largest structure in the human brain. It is divided into two cerebral hemispheres, which are connected by the corpus callosum. responsible for coordinating sophisticated mental processes, including cognition, perception, judgement, language, and problem-solving, performing complex functions, including receiving and processing sensory information, and initiating voluntary motor movement.
What is contralateral functioning? Give an example
Contralateral functions are neural functions that occur in both cerebral hemispheres, with each cerebral hemisphere controlling the opposite side of the body. For example, the primary auditory cortex in the left cerebral hemisphere receives and processes auditory information from both the left and right ears.
Outline the location and function of the four lobes of the cerebral cortex specifying functions of primary cortices and association areas.
The frontal lobe is the largest and frontmost lobe of the cerebral cortex that is composed of motor and association areas. The frontal lobe is responsible for logic and reasoning judgement decision-making personality planning problem-solving.
The parietal lobe is the lobe of the cerebral cortex, located behind the frontal lobe, and is composed of sensory and association areas. The parietal lobe is involved attention, and in spatial awareness and reasoning. This includes being aware of the position of the body in relation to the external environment and determining where an object is located in space.
The occipital lobe is the rearmost lobe of the cerebral cortex, located behind the parietal lobe, and is composed of sensory and association areas.the association area organises and integrates it with other information, such as details from memory. This enables meaningful perception and interpretation of this visual information.
The temporal lobe is the lowest lobe of the cerebral cortex, located beneath the parietal lobe, and is composed of sensory and association areas. In addition to playing a role in processes, such as memory and object recognition.The primary auditory cortex in the left cerebral hemisphere processes verbal sounds, such as spoken words.
Outline adaptive and developmental plasticity.
Developmental plasticity refers to changes in the brain that occur in response to ageing and maturation.
Adaptive plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to restore adequate neural functioning over time after sustaining injury.
Explain the changes to the neuron during adaptive plasticity.
Sprouting is the ability of a neuron to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons. This expands the reach of a neuron, particularly when the neuron has been damaged from the trauma, enabling new neural connections to be formed in areas of the brain where the neural activity has been prevented or depleted.
Rerouting is a neuron’s ability to form a new connection with another undamaged neuron. The neuron that is rerouting abandons its connection with a damaged neuron, enabling new neuronal connections to be formed after trauma and, by extension, cognitive functioning to be re-developed.
Define synaptogenesis
The formation of synapses between neurons as axon terminals and dendrites grow.
The brain continues to develop into the 20’s. What development happens last?
Myelination
Outline the 4 ways to maintain brain function and give an example of each
Mental stimulation. Mental stimulation refers to an activity that activates neuronal connections and involves the processing of information. Mental activities stimulate new neural connections and build up a resistance to future cell loss For example: doing a crossword puzzle
Diet. It is recommended that individuals have a balanced diet and eat according to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, are rich in ‘brain-healthy’ nutrients, such as vitamin K, which helps slow cognitive decline. For example: 5–6 serves of vegetables and legumes a day
Physical activity It is recommended that children and young people should be active every day, engaging in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day.Physical activity forces all of the body’s physiological systems and brain areas to communicate much more closely than usual Physical activity can include:jogging
Social support Social support involves being part of or interacting with a group of people. Having someone to listen to you is associated with having greater resistance to brain damage. For example: going to gatherings with family and friends.
What is a traumatic brain injury? Give an example?
Damage to the brain caused by an external force. For example, falling and assaults
Outline Machine Learning.
Technological developments have allowed researchers to utilise new methods when studying neurological disorders. One of these methods is the use of machine learning, which is an element of artificial intelligence that allows software to become more accurate at predicting outcomes by mimicking the way that humans learn.
Outline the gut-brain axis.
Gut-brain axis, the bidirectional connection between the gut and the brain through multiple parts of the nervous system
