unit 1 aos2

Question 1

the 3 theories of the brain

Answer 1

brain versus heart debate, the mind-body problem, phrenology

Question 2

brain vs heart debate

Answer 2

a debate as to whether the heart or the brain is responsible for mental processes, such as thought, emotion and behaviour

Question 3

mind-body problem

Answer 3

the philosophical question as to whether our mind is seperate and distinguishable from our body or whether they are one integrated entity

Question 4

phrenology

Answer 4

the study of the shape and size of the human skull to determine personality and mental functioning

Question 5

first brain experiments

Answer 5

ablation, brain leisioning, split brain research

Question 6

ablation

Answer 6

the surgical removal, destruction, or cutting of a region of brain tissue

Question 7

brain leisioning

Answer 7

the practice of inducing and/or studying the effects of damage to an area of the brain

Question 8

neuroimaging

Answer 8

a range of techniques used to capture images of the brain’s structure, function and activities

Question 9

basal ganglia

Answer 9

primary function is the encoding and storage of procedural memories (your basal ganglia, which has stored the procedure of running)

Question 10

amygdala

Answer 10

primary function is emotional processing and encoding emotional memories (you see a spider on the wall of your bedroom. Your amygdala triggers a fear response telling you to run away)

Question 11

hippocampus

Answer 11

primary function is the forming of explicit memories (You calm down in the hallway where your hippocampus forms this explicit memory)

Question 12

cerebellum

Answer 12

primary function is to coordinate muscle movement (responds to this message by activating the cerebellum, which sends motor neurons to your legs to start you moving)

Question 13

neocortex

Answer 13

primary function is the storage of explicit (long term episodic) memories (explicit memory, which is then stored in your neocortex, reinforcing that spiders in bedrooms are scary.)

Question 14

Neuron

Answer 14

a nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information in the brain

Question 15

3 structures of the neuron

Answer 15

dendrites, myelin, axon terminals

Question 16

dendrites

Answer 16

recieves neuronal messages

Question 17

myelin

Answer 17

insulates the neuron and prevents disturbance from other neurons

Question 18

axon terminals

Answer 18

sends neuronal messages to the next neuron

Question 19

the synaptic gap

Answer 19

a tiny space between two neurons, where they communicate with each other

Question 20

what is the difference between the synaptic gap and the synapse

Answer 20

The neuron that fires the message into the synaptic gap is known as the presynaptic neuron. The neuron that receives this message from the synapse is known as the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 21

two specific ways in which the brain changes

Answer 21

long-term potentiation and long-term depression

Question 22

long-term potentiation

Answer 22

refers to the strengthening of synaptic connections as a result of repeated activation. Everytime you ride a bike, the neural pathways involved become activated and strengthened

Question 23

long-term depression

Answer 23

refers to the weakening of synaptic connections as a result of repeated low-level activation. If you don’t ride your bike for an extended period, the synaptic connections wont be activated

Question 24

2 ways in which neuroplasticity occurs

Answer 24

developmental plasticity (ageing and maturation) and adaptive plasticity (brain trauma)

Question 25

3 ways that developmental plasticity occurs

Answer 25

synaptogenesis, synaptic pruning, myelination

Question 26

synaptogenesis

Answer 26

when there is the formation of synapses between neurons (when someone learns something new)

Question 27

synaptic pruning

Answer 27

the elimination of underused synapses to free up space in the brain and allows for strengthening of frequent synapses

Question 28

myelination

Answer 28

the formation and development of myelin around the axon of a neuron to facilitate more efficient communication of messages

Question 29

2 ways that adaptive plasticity occurs

Answer 29

sprouting and rerouting

Question 30

sprouting

Answer 30

the ability for a neuron to develop new branches on the dendrites or axons

Question 31

rerouting

Answer 31

the ability to form a new connection with an undamaged neuron

Question 32

critical periods

Answer 32

the narrow, rigid developmental period in which a specific function or skill must be learnt

Question 33

sensitive periods

Answer 33

the optimal developmental period for a specific function or skill to be learnt in the fastest and easiest way

Question 34

traumatic brain injury

Answer 34

damage to the brain caused by an external force. falls, assaults & vehicle accidents

Question 35

non-traumatic brain injury

Answer 35

damage to the brain caused by internal factors such as lack of oxygen or a tumour. strokes, aneurysms etc

Question 36

cerebrospinal fluid

Answer 36

a clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain. when a person’s head is hit had the fluid is not enough of a cushion

Question 37

strokes

Answer 37

an interruption to the blood supply in the brain or bleeding from blood vessels. Also could be from a lack of oxygen to the brain

Question 38

2 impacts of abi on biological functioning

Answer 38

seizures and movement impairment

Question 39

2 impacts of abi on psychological functioning

Answer 39

memory loss and personality changes

Question 40

2 impacts of abi on social functioning

Answer 40

job productivity and an increase in antisocial behaviour

Question 41

chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

Answer 41

a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries and concussions. a neurodegenerative disease.

Question 42

symptoms of cte

Answer 42

Disruption to higher order thinking and reasoning skills, Memory loss, Behavioural changes

Question 43

how can you diagnose cte?

Answer 43

CTE can only be confirmed as a diagnosis through a post-mortem (autopsy) One of the indicators of CTE is the build-up of a particular protein called p-tau in regions of the brain

Question 44

neurodegenerative disease

Answer 44

which is a disease characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain. It is incurable (CTE)

Question 45

neuroplasticity

Answer 45

the ability of the brain to change in response to experience or environmental stimulation