Teminology Flashcards
Behavioural Neuroscience
The study of the biological basis of behaviour in humans and animals
Psychobiology
A field of study that uses biological perspectives to describe and explain psychological phenomena
Experiments
The manipulation of variables to establish cause and effect realtionship
Quasi-Experimental Design
Involves the manipulation of an IV without the random assignment of participants to conditions
Case Studies
Intensive research into a specific person, group, or event within a real world event
tDCS
Transactional direct current stimulation
tMS
Transcranial magnetic stimulation
DBS
Deep Brain Stimulation
fMRI
functional magnetic resonance imaging
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging
EEG
Electroencephalogram
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid )
Building blocks of genes, carries the genetic instructions for growth, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms
Behavioural Genetics
Subdiscipline of Bio Psych that focuses on the impact that genes have on behaviour
Neurones
The brain processes information, the neurons relay messages to different parts of the body
Myelination
The production of the myelin membrane that wraps axons in the central and peripheral nervous system
Abiogenesis
The origin of life from non-living matter
Fundamental Theory
Theoretical framework that seeks to explain the fundamental principles or underlying mechanisms of a particular phenomenon or field.
Population III Stars
Massive stars believed to have existed in the early universe
Quantum Mechanics
The theoretical basis of modern physics that explains the nature and behaviour of matter and energy on the atomic and subatomic level.
Deterministic
Free will is an illusion, everything we do is determined by internal or external forces which we have no control over
Indeterministic
The idea that events or phenomena do not have an underlying cause that precedes them (chance)
Thermodynamics
The study of the relations between heat, work, temperature, and energy
Ornithology
Study of birds
Homology
Features inherited from common ancestors—even if their appearance is quite different in close relatives
Adapted
The evolutionary process whereby an organism becomes better able to live in its habitat or habitats
Variation
Individuals are similar not identical
Heredity
The traists that humans possess that vary are inherited from parents to offspring
Zygosity
The degree of similarity of the alleles for a trait
Homozygous
The gene with identical alleles of a specific trait
Phenotypic
An individual’s observable traits
Heterozygous
The gene with two different alleles of a specific trait
Mutation
A random event or accident in gene reproduction
Deleterious
Causes harm
Hominind
Group consisting of all modern and extinct Great Apes
Adaptive radiations
Life forms rapidly diversify from an ancestorial species into new forms, when the environment permits
Morphological Variation
Variation in the physical form/structure of an organism
Evolutionary Psychology
The study of behaviour, thought, and feeling as viewed through the lens of evolutionary biology
Sexual selection
Mode of natural selection whereby physical and behavioural characteristics that promote reproductive success are passed to offspring
Intrasexual Competition
Member’s of the same sex competing for members of the opposite sex
Intersexual Competition
Members of one sex choose mates of the other sex
Evolutionary adaptation
Inherited characteristic that exists as a feature of a species through natural selection because it helped to facilitate reproduction during the period of its evolution
4 base nucleotide in DNA
Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine
Nucleotides
The basis blocks that make up DNA
Monomeric
A molecule that react with other monomer molecules to create a larger chain
Chromosome
Threadlike structures in the nucleus that carry genetic information
Alleles
A variation of a gene that affects the functionality of the protein produced by the gene
Zygote
Fertilised egg cell
Monozygotic twins
One egg splits and develops into babies with exactly the same DNA
Dizygotic Twins
Two eggs are fertilised and produce genetically unique children
Hereitbaility Coefficient
Used to assess heredity
Ethology
Scientific study of animal behaviour
Imprinting
A brief window of time where a baby animal will form an extremely close and dependent bond with the first animal they see after being born
Fixed-Action Patterns
A predictable series of actions triggered by a cue, sometimes called the key stimulus.
Vestigial
Structures that have no apparent function and appear to be residual parts from a past ancestor
Palmar Grasp Reflex
Allows a newborn to clench an object when pressure and touch are applied to the palm
Central Nervous System
Consists of the brain and spinal cord
Neuron
Cells that transmit electrical energy
Action potential
A rapid sequence of changes in the voltage across a membrane
Glial cells
Cells that surround the neuron, holding them in place and protecting them from toxins
Soma
Cell body
Dendrites
Where the neurones receives electrochemical input from other neurons
Axon
Carries electrical impulses from a neuron to be received by other neurons, glands and muscles
Cytoplasmic Protrusions
Protrudes from the neuron
Golgi Apparatus
Part of Soma. Responsible for producing molecule products of the neuron and is involved in the final modification of proteins. It also ‘packages’ these molecules (along with mediating others) ready for transportation from the neuron
Ribosomes
Part of Soma. Producing proteins and is made by the nucleus
Polyribosomes
Part of Soma. Made of several ribosomes that attach to molecules during protein synthesis
Nissl Body
Part of Soma. To synthesise protein and segregate protein
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Part of the Soma. Synthesises steroid hormones and detoxifies harmful metabolic by-products within the soma
Nucleus
Part of the Soma. Contains the nucleolus and chromosomes, which are necessary for the coded production of proteins within the cell
Nucleolus
Part of the Soma. The production centre of ribosomes and plays a role in the nucleus’s response to stress
Membrane
Part of the Soma. Protects the cell
Mitochondrion
Part of the Soma. Produces energy for the cell
Myelin Sheath
Part of the axon. Insulates the axon, increasing the rate at which electrochemical signals pass down the axon
Nodes of Ranvier
Part of the axon. Uninsulated ‘gaps’ on the myelin sheath that allow for the regeneration of electrochemical signals thereby increasing conduction rate
Schwann Cell
Part of the axon. Essential for myelination, outside of the brain and spinal cord
Axon terminal
Part of the axon. The termination of the axon, which leads onto the synapse
Axon Hillock
Part of the axon. The part of the axon that attaches directly to the soma and involved in action potentials
Axonal Initial Segment
Part of the axon. Generates the action potential
Synapse
End of the axon. Allows a neurone to communicate its electromagnetic signal to a fellow neuron via its dendrite
Pre-synaptic neuron
Neuron sending the electromagnetic signal
Post-synaptic neuron
Neuron receiving the electromagnetic signal
Synaptic cleft
Part of the synapse. The ‘gap’ between presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron
Action potential
Part of the synapse. Signal that is transmitted down the axon and arrives at the synapse
Ion Channels
Part of the synapse. Channels that determine how info is passed through the neuron
Neurotransmitter
Part of the synapse. Signalling molecule that is secreted by one neuron and travels to another
Astrocytes
Type of glia cell. star-shaped cells and are responsible for forming the blood-brain barrier; along with several other functions, such as physical structure of the brain, and providing neurones with nutrients
Blood-brain Barrier
A selective semi-permeable membrane between the blood and the interstitium of the brain, allowing cerebral blood vessels to regulate molecule and ion movement between the blood and the brain.
Oligodendrocytes
Type of glia cell. The cells that form the myelin sheath, by wrapping themselves around axons. They are found exclusively in the CNS.
Unipolar Neurons
The neuron with only one neurite extends from the soma
Bipolar Neurons
The neuron which has two neurites
Multipolar Neurons
Contains a single axon but many dendrite
Neurite
Axon on dendrite
Peripheral nervous system
Consists of nerves outside the CNS
Somatic NS
Division of the peripheral NS. Consists of sensory neurons that are specialised to transmit information from the sense organs
Autonomic NS
Division of the peripheral NS. Controls glands, involuntary muscles, and blood vessels. Controls involuntary behaviours.
Sympathetic NS
Division of the Autonomic NS. An activation/arousal function that responds to stress and helps us deal with the stressor
Parasympathetic NS
Division of the Autonomic NS. Slowing down bodily processes and maintains calm.
Protein channels
Allows the transport of specific substances across a cell membrane
Electrical polarisation
The separation of center of positive charge and the center of negative charge in a material
Resting potential
The imbalance of electrical charge that exists between the interior of electrically excitable neurons and their surroundings
Cations
Positively charged ions
Anions
Negatively charged ions
Threshold of excitation
The level of neural depolarization that is necessary to generate an action potential.
Depolarisation
a change within a cell, during which the cell undergoes a shift in electric charge distribution, resulting in less negative charge inside the cell compared to the outside
Axodendritic
Synapses that one neuron makes onto the dendrite of another neuron
Axosomatic
synapses that are made onto the soma or cell body of a neuron
Axoaxonic
a type of synapse, formed by one neuron projecting its axon terminals onto another neuron’s axon
Neurotransmitter
chemical messengers. Carry a chemical signal from one neuron to another
Nerve impulse
an electrical signal that travels along a nerve fiber in response to a stimulus and serves to transmit a record of sensation from a receptor or an instruction to act to an effector
Synaptic vesicles
store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse
Neurotransmitter receptor
a membrane receptor protein that is activated by a neurotransmitter
Synaptic cleft
the space in between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another and is where the electrical signal is translated to a chemical signal that can be perceived by the next neuron
Voltage-gate ion channels
a class of transmembrane proteins that form ion channels that are activated by changes in a cell’s electrical membrane potential near the channel
Long-term potentiation
a process by which synaptic connections between neurons become stronger with frequent activation.
Neuropeptides
the largest and most diverse class of signalling molecules in the brain
Dynorphin
a neuropeptide involved in pain, addiction and mood regulation
Oxytocin
a natural hormone that manages key aspects of the female and male reproductive systems
Enzyme
proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in our bodies
Enzymatic degradation
the polymeric material undergoes degradation by the enzymes
Excitatory neurotransmitter
promotes the generation of an electrical signal
Inhibitory neurotransmitter
Prevents the generation of an electrical signal
Graded potentials
changes in the conductance of a sensory receptor cell’s membrane, primarily caused by sensory input
Spatial summation
the cumulative effect on the membrane potential when multiple stimuli are applied simultaneously in different areas, using multiple synapses.
Temporal summation
refers to the accumulation of rapidly occurring stimuli at a single synapse that is activated repeatedly, leading to an increased degree of depolarization and bringing the initial segment to threshold
Amino acid
molecules that combine to form proteins
Small molecule neurotransmitter
Individual amino acid
Monoamines
Make up a neurotransmitter class that is characterized by the shape of its chemical structure
Serotonin
Plays a key role in such body functions as mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, bone health, blood clotting and sexual desire
Melatonin
Produces in response to darkness. It helps with the timing of your circadian rhythms and with sleep
Circadian rhythm
The physical, mental, and behavioural changes an organism experiences over a 24-hour cycle
Endogenous opioids
Small peptides that play a main role in pain perception and analgesia, as well as in alcohol reinforcement and reward
Endorphins
Neurotransmitters released by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain. They can alleviate pain, lower stress, improve mood, and enhance your sense of well-being.
Reuptake
The process by which neurotransmitter molecules that have been released at a synapse are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron that released them.
Olfactory lobe
a structure of the vertebrate forebrain involved in sense of smell
Optic lobe
a large and complex extension of the brain that analyses visual input from the eye and is involved in memory, behaviour control, and other higher functions
Prosencephalon
The forebrain
Mesencephalon
The midbrain
Rhombencephalon
The hindbrain
Frontal lobe
the front-most part of your brain. It’s responsible for control over many abilities, including the way you think, how you move and how you remember things
Parietal lobe
located near the back and top of the head. They are important for processing and interpreting somatosensory input
Occipital lobe
sit at the back of the head and are responsible for visual perception, including colour, form and motion.
Temporal lobe
Sit behind the ears. They are most commonly associated with processing auditory information and with the encoding of memory.
Sulcus
The folds in the brain
Gyrus
The ridges in the brain
Dementia praecox
Original brain of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
A psychotic disorder which includes disturbances in thinking, speech, perception, emotion and behaviour
Psychotic disorder
Involves loss of contact with reality
Hallucinations
False perceptions that are compellingly real to the people experiencing them
Delusions
False beliefs that are sustained even when the person is presented with sufficient evidence
Catatonia
where someone is awake but does not seem to respond to other people and their environment.
Dopamine hypothesis
hyperactivity of dopamine D2 receptor neurotransmission in subcortical and limbic brain regions contributes to positive symptoms of schizophrenia
Depression
A common mental disorder. It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time
Manic depression
Subject experiences elevated mood that is abnormal as well as long periods of typical symptomology of depression. Move between the two.
Mania
Elevation of mood that is abnormal, may be irritable or overly euphoric
Hypomania
Involves the same symptoms as mania, but is less severe
Treatment resistant depression
A form of depression that is resistant to forms of treatment
Clinical depression
A more severe type of depression characterised by anhedonia and ruminations
Ruminations
repetitive thinking over the same though
Anhedonia
Loss of ability to feel pleasure
Melancholic depression
Prolonged anhedonia and their mood does not change with positive events.
Minor depressive disorder
Similar too major (clinical) but not as severe symptoms
Postpartum depression
Higher chance in women, caused by changes in hormone and sleep deprivation
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Brought on by menstruation
Seasonal affective disorder
Brought on by the reduction in sunlight during winter
Monoamine oxidase
Enzymes that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitter
Antagonist
Decreases a neurotransmitter
Agonist
Increases a neurotransmitter
Iproniazid
Inhibits the monoamine oxidase which breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters, monoamine agonist
Reserpine
Used to treat hypertension but it induces depression as it is a monoamine antagonist
Tricyclic antidepressants
Prevent reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters, reducing depression. Monoamine agonist
Monoamine hypothesis
monoamine levels have a primary role in causing depression
Neuroendocrine system
made up of nerves and glad cells
HPA axis
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, major neuroendocrine system.
Paraventricular nucleus
a highly organized structure of the hypothalamus that has a key role in regulating cardiovascular and osmotic homeostasis.
Corticotropin-releasing hormones
the central regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
Adrenocorticotropic hormones
a hormone your pituitary gland releases that triggers your adrenal glands to release cortisol, the “stress hormone.”
Negative feedback cycle
occurs in biology when the product of a reaction leads to a decrease in that reaction
Obsession
These are recurring and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted, causing significant anxiety or distress. The individual attempts to ignore or suppress these thoughts or to neutralize them with some other thought or action
Compulsion
These are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. These behaviours or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or distress, or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these actions are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent, or they are clearly excessive.
Dyslexia
A learning deficit that can affect either reading, writing or both
Developmental dyslexia
Neurological condition that you are both with which come apparent when a child is learning to read
Acquired dyslexia
Caused by brain damage to people without dyslexia
Spatial orientation
the ability to understand and interact with objects and images in space
Dyscalculia
A learning disability which affects a person’s ability to learn mathematics
Personality
“The distinctive and relatively enduring ways of thinking, feeling and acting that characterise a person’s response to life situations” – Holt et al
Introversion
Gain energy from being alone, are drained of energy when around other people
Extroversion
Gain energy from being around other people, and are drained of energy by being alone
Neuroticism
More likely to get anxious, worry and have generally ‘moody’ traits
Ascending Reticular Activating System
Manages the amount of information or stimulation that the brain receives
Cortical Arousal
Activation of the reticular formation of the brain. Increases wakefulness, vigilance, muscle tone, heart rate, and minute ventilation.
Novelty Seeking
A personality trait that refers to a tendency to pursue new experiences with intense emotional sensations
Reward Dependence
A temperamental trait that refers to the maintenance of behaviour in response to cues of social reward
Aggression
Can be characterised as a behaviour that is intended to harm another person who is motivated to avoid harm
Periaqueductal Grey Matter
Mediates Emotion
