Unit 3 Flashcards
Behaviour genetics
Study of DNA and how specific genes are related to behaviour.
22,3000 genes.
Explore genotype behaviour, still complicated.
Twin studies
Monozygotic, 1 egg. 100%
Dizygotic, 2 eggs, 2 different sperm cells. 50%
Adoption studies
Children more like adoptive parents, environmental.
Children more like biological parents, genetic.
Epigenetic
Experiences cause changes in gene expression without altering genetic code.
Neural communication- vertebrates
Central nervous system (Brain spinal cord). Peripheral nervous system (nerve connections).
Neural communications- neurones
Cell found in nervous system. Responsible for sending/receiving messages.
The 3 Neuron types
Sensory Neurons- sensory information to brain
Motor Neurons, brain to muscles.
Interneurons, communication between Neurons, important reflexes.
Neurogenesis
Formation of new Neurons
Neuroplasticity
Process of brain charges and rewires itself based on experience.
Neuron electrical system
Resting state, stable not transmitting messages, high concentration of positive charged ions, results negative ‘net charge’ inside of axon.
Ions evenly distributed.
Stimulated neuron
Ion channel opens.
Positive ions move into cell, change charg.
Positive charge reaches firing threshold, create action potential.
Action potential
Wave of electrical charge start at beginning of axon, rapidly travels down. After this there is the refractory period (resting state) cannot fire.
Synapse
Area involving neuron 1 axon terminal, neuron 2 dendrites. Separated by space called ‘synaptic cleft’.
Presynaptic
Neuron releases neurotransmitters.
Postsynaptic
Neuron receives neurotransmitters from presynaptic.
Reuptake
Process where neurotransmitter molecules reabsorb into axon terminal of presynaptic neuron.
Central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord.
peripheral nervous system
Autonomic nervous system, somatic nervous system.
Transcranial magnetic simulation (TMS)
Application of magnetic pulses.
Pulse disrupts brain activity, used to stimulate targeting brain regions and increase activity at this region.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Strong magnetic field cause protons in hydrogen atoms to spin in same direction.
Radio wave pulse sent through brain, knocking atoms out of alignment.
Radio wave turned off, atoms return, release energy.
Structural neuroimaging
Diffusion tensor imaging: measure white matter pathways.
MRI.
Functional neuroimaging
Brain scan, provides information about activity in brains using particular behaviour/response stimuli.
Potential trade off: temporal resolution small accurate period, spatial resolution how clear image is.
EEG, PET, and fMRI.
Electroencephalogram (EGG)
Measure brain activity, multiple electrodes.
Measure every second.
Limited spatial resolution, less effective at locating region.
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Radio active targeted injected in blood. Travel to regions of brain engaged with task.
Increased blood flow, regions more active, higher radioactivity measure.
Radiotracers, allow measurement of catering neurotransmitter receptors.
Good spatial rescolution, bad temporal resolution.
