Sem 2 Weeks 1-3 Flashcards

Test 1

1
Q

Automaticity Theory

A

The word interferes with the colour naming when the word and colour do not match because reading is an automatic process and recognising colours is a more controlled process

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2
Q

Selective Attention process

A

Reading requires less attention compared to identifying a colour, that’s why it takes us longer to identify the colour of words in incongruent trials

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3
Q

Aphasia

A

Language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, often
a result of a stroke or brain injury

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4
Q

What tasks might people with aphasia find difficult?

A

Talking , Comprehending spoken or written language, Writing, Using numbers, for example calculating answers to problems.

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5
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Involved in speech production.

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6
Q

Wernicke’s area

A

Involved in language comprehension

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7
Q

how does fMRI work

A

It is a safe and non invasive imaging method which detects changes in blood flow. An increase in blood flow correlates with neuronal activity

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8
Q

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

A

Non-invasive technique that disrupts specific brain activity for a fraction of a second. Allows us to investigate the role of certain areas in human functioning

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9
Q

Central Nervous System

A

brain and spinal cord

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10
Q

Peripheral Nervous system

A

Comprised of the autonomic and somatic systems

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11
Q

What is special about neuronal cells

A

Can transmit information by receiving and sending electrical and chemical signals.

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12
Q

Function of dendrites

A

Detect signals and receive information from branch points and sends it into the soma

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13
Q

What is the cell body (soma)

A

contains nucleus and organelles, life support system

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14
Q

Function of the axon

A

transmits signal away from the cell body and down the neuron

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15
Q

What are axon terminals

A

terminal end of axon where the neuron synapses

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16
Q

What are dendritic spines

A

The extra surface area along dendrites where axon terminals from other neurons can make connections - More surface area for connections to form

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17
Q

Axon Hillock

A

point of neuron at the base of the axon where it “fires”

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18
Q

What does “all or nothing” mean

A

Once the signal reaches a certain threshold, the neuron will fire

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19
Q

What is myelin

A

a fatty, lipid-rich substance that insulates most axons

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20
Q

Function of myelin

A

Allows the signal to “hop” along nodes of ranvier and travel faster

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21
Q

Unmyelinatied action potential speed vs myelinated speed

A

1 meter per second compared to up to 100 metres per speed

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22
Q

3 types of glial cells

A

Oligodendrocytes, Schwan Cells, Astrocytes

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23
Q

Function of Astrocytes

A
  • Repair and provide support to neurons
  • Brings nutrients from the blood stream to the neurons using the blood brain barrier
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24
Q

Function of Schwan Cells

A

Form myelin sheaths in the PNS - increases speed of info travelling through the axon

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25
Q

Function of Oligodendrocytes

A

Form myelin sheaths in CNS to increase speed of action potential travelling through the axon

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26
Q

How do Oligodendrocytes and Schwan cells work differently

A

Oligodendrocytes consist of a cell body with multiple arms, and wrap these arms around axons to form a tight sheath. In comparison, Schwan cells wrap their entire cell body around the axon (instead of using extensions)

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27
Q

Excitatory Signals

A

Increase likelihood of the neuron firing

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28
Q

Inhibitory Signals

A

Decrease likelihood of the neuron firing

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29
Q

What is summation

A

The sum of all incoming signals determine whether the neuron fire

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30
Q

What is the voltage a neuron must reach to fire

A

-55mv

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31
Q

What voltage is the resting membrane potential

A

-70mv

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32
Q

What is the difference in concentration of ions inside and outside the cell (Na and K)

A

Inside of the cell has higher conc of K+ ions and is more negatively charged than the outside of the cell, which has higher conc of Na+ ions.

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33
Q

What are voltage gated ion channels

A

Selectively permeable to certain ions and open once certain voltages are reached (usually v = -55mv)

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34
Q

Leaky Potassium Channels

A

All cells in the body contain leaky potassium channels that are only permeable to potassium, allowing potassium to diffuse outside the cell. This makes inside of the cell more negative than extracellular space as positive ions are LEAVING.

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35
Q

Passive diffusion -concentration gradient

A

Ions move from areas of high conc. and toward lower conc. until equilibrium is reached

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36
Q

Passive diffusion - eletrical gradient

A

Charged particles will move across membrane until equilibrium occurs (same charge on both sides)

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37
Q

What is an action potential

A

The change in the voltage inside a cell (relative to outside the cell) taking place at one section of the neuron at a time (not all at once).

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38
Q

Where are action potentials generated?

A

Axon Hillock

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39
Q

What happens once the threshold of -55mv is reached

A

Voltage-gated Na Channels open, causing sodium to flood into the cell (due to concentration & electrical gradient)

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40
Q

What is depolarisation?

A

When a voltage of -55mv is reached and Na+ flows into the cell, the cell becomes more positive (also causes K+ ions to rush outside of cell).

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41
Q

What is the Na+/K+ close threshold

A

30mv

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42
Q

What happens once the voltage becomes 30mv (overshoot)

A

Voltage gated Na channels close, resulting in repolarisation as Na stops flooding in and K+ leaves.

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43
Q

Refractory Period

A

Voltage drops below resting potential (hyperpolarised)

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44
Q

How does the cell return to RMP after refractory period

A

Na+/K+ pump comes in. (3Na+ out, 2K+ in) to return voltage to -70mv

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45
Q

Saltatory Conduction

A

Occurs in myelinated action potentials, resulting in an increased rate of propagation causing the signal to move faster. This is because the action potential occurs only at the nodes of Ranvier, not down the whole axon.

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46
Q

What does electrochemical communication mean

A

Neurons use both eletrical and chemical communication to transmit and recieve signals

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47
Q

Electrical communication in neurons

A

Action potential generation and modulation

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48
Q

Chemical communication in neurons

A

Interneural communication (at synapses, using neurotransmitter)

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49
Q

Synapse

A

Space between one cells dendrite and another cells axon terminal

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50
Q

What does the Pre-synaptic neuron do?

A

Neuron that sends signal

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51
Q

Post-synaptic neuron

A

Neuron that recieves signal

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52
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

chemicals that are released by presynaptic cell into synaptic cleft

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53
Q

Vesicles

A

“vehicles” that enclose and transport neurotransmitters

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54
Q

3 types of synapses

A
  • Neuron-Neuron
  • Neuron-skeletal muscle (neuromuscular joints)
  • Neuron-Gland Cells (neuroglandular synapses)
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55
Q

Axodendritic Synapse

A

synapse directly from the axon terminal to the dendrites

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56
Q

Axosomatic synapse

A

synapse directly onto cell body

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57
Q

Axoaxonic synapse

A

synapse onto axon

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58
Q

Role of calcium

A

Essential for allowing neurotransmitters in presynaptic cell to exit the cell and enter the synaptic cleft

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59
Q

Role of chloride

A

Helps neurons send inhibitory signals

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60
Q

What happens when action potential arrives at presynaptic terminal

A

It depolarises it

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61
Q

What does depolarisation of the axon terminal cause?

A

Allows voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to open, allowing for the influx of Ca2+ in the axon terminal

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62
Q

What happens when presynaptic cell has an influx of Ca2+

A

Allows vesicles to fuse with the membrane and the neurotransmitter to be released into the synaptic cleft through exocytosis.

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63
Q

What happens once the neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic cleft

A

It binds to receptors, causing channels to open (or close)

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64
Q

Function of receptors (on post-synaptic neuron)

A

Once these receptors connect with the right shape/number of neurotransmitter, the receptors release ions into post-synaptic cell. These ions can be excitatory (positive ions) or inhibitory (negative ions)

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65
Q

Effect of receptor sending ions into post synaptic cell.

A

Influx of ions either depolarises or hyperpolarises the cell, making another action potential more or less likely.

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66
Q

How are neurotransmitters removed from synaptic cleft

A

glial uptake (to be reused) or through enzymatic degradation.

67
Q

What are ligand gated ion channels

A

require certain ligand (neurotransmitter) to release ions into postsynatic cell.

68
Q

What is glutamate

A

Most common excitatory neurotransmitter

69
Q

What is GABA

A

Most common inhibitory neurotransmitter

70
Q

EPSP (excitatory postsynaptic potential)

A
  • When glutamate triggers opening of ligand gated channels lets Na+ and Ca2+ ions into postsynaptic cell.
    The cell depolarises and becomes more excited, more likely to fire
71
Q

ISPS (inhibitory postsynaptic potential)

A
  • When GABA triggers opening of ligand gated channels, they let Cl- flow into the cell
    The cell hyperpolarises, becomes inhibited and is less likely to fire
72
Q

What is reuptake and why is it beneficial

A

Neurotransmitter is transported back into presynaptic cell. Allows cell to reuse neurotransmitter to conserve energy and lower amount of neurotransmitter that needs to be made

73
Q

How does reuptake occur

A

The pre-synaptic cell membrane has neurotransmitter-specific “transporter” proteins to recieve and reuptake the chemicals

74
Q

What are neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses from one neuron to another neuron (or to muscle/gland cell)

75
Q

Is dopamine excitatory or inhibitory

A

Can be both - depending on receptors on post-synaptic cell. Different ligand channels that can release different ions to make this excitatory or inhibitory

76
Q

Role of dopamine

A
  • Motivation
  • Thoughts and feelings
  • Experiencing pleasure
  • Association of certain behaviours with reward
  • Attention, mood regulation
  • Coordinating Movement
77
Q

What neurotransmitter is deficient in those with Parkinsons

A

Parkinsons disease = progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons)

78
Q

What is serotonin involved in

A
  • Regulation of mood, sleep, eating, arousal, pain
79
Q

How do antidepressents work (think what neurotransmitter is reduced with depression_

A

Antidepressants target neurons that produce serotonin to boost serotonin levels

80
Q

How can sunlight boost serotonin

A

Sunlight exposure stimulates production of Vit. D in the skin. Vit D is involved in serotonin synthesis.

80
Q

Why does alcohol lead to sedation and anxiolytic effects.

A

Acts as an agonist for GABA. It binds to a part of GABA receptors to make them even more inhibitory, making neurons that release GABA stronger at inhibiting the firing of the next neuron. The impact of this is drowsiness and anxiety reducing effects.

80
Q

Agonist

A

Drugs that occupy receptors and activate them

81
Q

Antagonists

A

Drugs that occupy receptors but block receptor activation

81
Q

What are SSRIS

A

Reuptake inhibitors that don’t effect post synaptic receptor but instead target reuptake

82
Q

How do SSRI’s work

A

Block reuptake = more neurotransmitter left in synapse for longer = more is taken up by ion channels = stronger effect of neurotransmitter

83
Q

Function of Glia

A

help support the work of neurons

84
Q

The basic assumption of all modern neuroscience and psychology

A

Mental functions are the product of activity in the nervous system

85
Q

Functions of the nervous system (4)

A
  • Receives sensory information from the environment
  • Integrates and processes information
  • Regulates internal functions
  • Produces motor actions
86
Q

What can autonomic nervous system be broken down into:

A

Sympathetic (arousing) and Parasympathetic (calming)

87
Q

Autonomic Nervous system function

A

Involuntary, automatic activity. Controls and regulates blood vessels, organs (including the heart) and glands

88
Q

Somatic nervous system function

A

Skeletal muscles - conscious movement/activity

89
Q

What is a nerve

A

bundle of axons (like an electrical cable).

90
Q

Structure of nerve

A

Within the nerve, axons are bundled into sub bundles and this is held together by connective tissues. Nerves contain blood vessels to provide axons with nutrients.

91
Q

Somatic nerves

A

form synapses onto skeletal muscles

92
Q

Sympathetic Nervous system

A

-Increases arousal
- Prepares the body for survival-related action
- (4F’s) Fight, flight, flee, Mate (fuck) - increase HR, BP, slowed digestion, dilation of pupils

93
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Performs opposite actions to sympathetic. Reduces arousal, Redirects blood to other locations (digestive tract), Returns the body to resting state

94
Q

Neuraxis

A

Central axis of the nervous system

95
Q

Most creatures vs humans neuraxis

A

Most creatures (quadrapedal mammals) have spinal cord and brain along a single line. Since we stand on two legs and look forward, our neuraxis is like an upside down L and changes.

96
Q

Rostral/Anterior end of nervous system

A
  • Forehead or front of face
  • Towards the top end of our spine (towards skull)
97
Q

Caudal or Posterior

A
  • Back of head
  • Towards the feet
98
Q

Dorsal

A

Above the neuroaxis (top of brain, back of spinal cord)

99
Q

Ventral

A

Below the neuroaxis (bottom of brain, front of spinal cord)

100
Q

Lateral

A
  • Towards the side, outside surface
101
Q

Median

A

In or towards the middle

102
Q

What is structure and function of the spinal column?

A

It is the structure of bone and cartilage within which the spinal cord lives (protects spinal cord.) It consists of many vertebrae connected with rings of flexible cartilage (allow us to move flexibly)

103
Q

Top part of spinal column (C1-C6)

A

Cervical vertebrae

104
Q

2nd part of spinal column (under cervical vertebrae) C7 - C12

A

Thoracic vertebrae

105
Q

Spinal column under the thoracic vertebrae (L1 - L5)

A

Lumbar vertebrae

106
Q

Botton part of spinal column (S1 - S5)

A

Sacral

107
Q

What is grey matter comprised of

A

Mostly Cell Body

108
Q

What is white matter comprised of

A

Mostly myelinated axons

109
Q

where is the spinal Nerve located?

A

Located on either side of spinal cord (on each side it comes out in two parts that come together to form a single nerve)

110
Q

Where does information come into spinal cord through

A

Dorsal horn

111
Q

Dorsal Root Ganglion

A

Dorsal nerve soma collected together here outside of the spinal cord

112
Q

Where does information leave the spinal cord through

A

Ventral Root/ventral horn

113
Q

Difference between root and horn

A

Root (within spinal cord)
Horn (outside the spinal cord)

114
Q

Ganglion

A

A collection of cell bodies outside of the spinal cord

115
Q

Is the cell body of motor neurons located within or outside the spinal cord

A

Cell body of motor neurons are inside the spinal cord, info flows out from cell body outside to spinal nerve

116
Q

General orientation of grey and white matter in the brain.

A

Grey matter lines the outside of the brain (opposite to spinal cord)
Most of the white matter is concentrated inside the deep portion of the brain

117
Q

Horizontal/axis/transverse section of brain

A

Parallel to the floor

118
Q

Sagittal section of brain

A

Parallel to profile

119
Q

Coronal section of brain

A

Parallel to face

120
Q

What section of the brain is phylogenetically ancient and evolutionarily preserved among basically all animal species

A

Hindbrain

121
Q

Main function of hindbrain

A

Coordinates information flow to/flow from the spinal cord

122
Q

Medulla

A
  • Part of hindbrain
  • Extension of the spinal cord
  • Controls basic physiological functions (heart rate, circulation, respiration)
123
Q

What 4 parts are within the hindbrain?

A

Medulla, Reticular formation, Cerebellum, Pons

124
Q

Reticular formation

A
  • Part of hindbrain
  • Regulates sleep/wake and arousal
125
Q

Cerebellum

A
  • Part of hindbrain
  • Controls fine motor activity
  • Doesn’t initiate movements, but refines and smooths them
  • Requires computational power = big structure (mini brain)
126
Q

Pons

A
  • Part of hindbrain
  • Collection of cells and white matter
    Relays info between cerebellum and rest of the brain
127
Q

How do we know that the cerebellum functions as it does

A

Cerebellar ataxia (damage to the cerebellum)
- Cause tremor and lack of coordinate muscle movements. This shows the importance of the cerebellum in refining and adding precision to our movements

128
Q

What are the two main subdivisions of the midbrain

A

Tegmentum and Tectum

129
Q

Main function of midbrain

A
  • Coordinates basic functions in relation to perception and action
130
Q

Tectum

A
  • Dorsal area of the midbrain
  • Spatial orienting to the environment (eg. turning your head to look over at something you heard)
  • Consists of 4 bubble-like structures (colliculi)
131
Q

What are superior colliculi?

A

Part of tectum (midbrain) involved in vision

132
Q

What are Inferior colliculi

A

Part of tectum (midbrain) involved in audition

133
Q

Tegmentum

A
  • Ventral part of mid-brain
  • Movement (allows us catch a ball without thinking about it)
  • Arousal
  • Pleasure seeking
134
Q

Where is the Substantia Nigra

A

A part of the tegmentum

135
Q

Substantia Nigra and Parkinsons

A

High level of dopamine gives this area a dark colour (Dopamine = involved in movement & pleasure seeking). In patients with Parkinson’s (deficiency in dopamine) this portion of the brain is pale

136
Q

Forebrain

A

Evolutionary the newest, involved in higher brain functioning with portions unique to humans

137
Q

Basal Ganglia

A
  • Part of forebrain
  • Movement and reward
  • Plan initiation of intentional movements
  • Decide which muscles need to move to reach out intentionally
138
Q

Thalamus

A
  • Part of forebrain
  • Sensory gateway
  • Egg-shaped structures
  • Relays & filters information from the senses to the cortex
  • Most sensory information goes first to the thalamus before being sent to relevant processing areas in the cortex
139
Q

4 parts of the limbic system

A

Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Hippocampus, Amygdala

140
Q

Function of limbic system overall

A

Related to arousal and emotional processing

141
Q

Hypothalamus

A
  • Part of limbic system (forebrain)
  • Regulates internal bodily functions
  • Body temp, hunger, fight, flight, flee, mate
142
Q

One way we can know the function of the hypothalamus

A
  • Experimental lesion to the hypothalamus in rats - eats insatiably and gets fat as it does not receive cues that its “full”
143
Q

Pituitary Gland

A
  • Part of limbic system (forebrain)
  • Releases and regulates hormones into the bloodstream
144
Q

Hippocampus

A
  • Part of limbic system (forebrain)
  • Important in spatial navigation
  • Creates and integrates new memories (but not long term storage)
145
Q

Amygdala

A
  • Part of limbic system (forebrain)
  • Almond shapes
  • Responds to emotional processing
  • Particularly related to threats and fear
  • Evolutionarily, the brain has evolved to scan and register threats (spiders and snakes) faster than other, non-dangerous things
146
Q

Sulcus

A

Folds into brain

147
Q

Gyrus

A

Visible part of fold on surface of brain

148
Q

4 lobes that are in each hemisphere of the brain

A

Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal

149
Q

What is the corpus callosum

A

Wide band of white matter that connects the two hemispheres of the brain

150
Q

What is the “pool of liquid” that the brain floats in

A

Cerebro-spinal Fluid (CSF)

151
Q

Function of Cerebro-spinal Fluid (CSF)

A

Liquid that provides shock absorption when the brain moves against the skull

152
Q

4 layers of external membrane of the brain

A
  • Dura Mater (closest to skull)
  • Arachnoid (legs that give it spongy texture) - where CSF flows
  • Pia mater (closest to cortex)
153
Q

Ventricles inside the brain

A

4 ventricles (“empty spaces” containing CSF?

154
Q

Choroid Plexus

A

Collection of blood vessels between ventricles that are designed to secrete CSF

155
Q

Primary somatosensory Cortex

A
  • Sense of touch
  • Processes touch on skin anywhere in the body
156
Q

Primary Motor Cortex

A

Allows muscles to move

157
Q

1950 Penfield brain stimulation

A

During neurosurgery, he stimulated the exposed cortical surface with an electrode. He found these causes (sensation, movement, memories)

This can be used to map functions, help knowledge of the brain, and allow surgeons to know what areas to cut out of the brain

158
Q

Occipital Lobes

A
  • Located at rear of brain
  • Vision
  • Posterior location of occipital lobe is primary visual cortex
159
Q

Temporal lobe

A

Semantic knowledge (meaning of words, identifying objects)
- Audition

160
Q

Parietal Lobe

A
  • Spatial attention
  • Sensory integration
  • Object location (where objects are in space)
  • Numerical cognition, quantities
161
Q

Frontal lobe

A
  • Planning
  • High level executive function
  • Self control
  • Abstract thinking