Biological Approach - Brain and Behaviour

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing by hyperpolarizing the neuron.

Neurotransmitter

the chemical that is released when a signal is sent to the axon terminal.

Neural networks

are created when chemicals are repeatedly stimulated.

Density

________- neurons have more branches on their dendrites.

Excitatory neurotransmitters

increase the likelihood of a neuron firing by depolarizing the neuron.

Neural pruning

is the process by which neurons and synaptic connections that are not often used are eliminated.

magnetic field

The gradient- adjusts the ________.

Neuron

contains electrical and chemical signals.

Neurotransmitters

are agonists.

Neural pruning

happens when synapses are not straightened in a long time.

neurotransmitter

travels through the gap into another neuron.

The gradient

adjusts the magnetic field

How brain changes when learning new things

visible

Localisation

the theory that specific parts of the brain have specific functions that are related to specific behaviours

Even though some parts of the brain have different functions to others

they work together with other parts of the brain to form and create certain behaviours

The idea that functions have different areas of localisation within the brain

functions such as speech, hearing, memory etc

how the hippocampus affected memory

HM case study

Neural pruning

dendrites shrink if not in use

Density

neurons have more branches on their dendrites

This repeated firing causes neurons to sprout new dendrites

dendrite branching

Neural pruning results in neuroplasticity

which is the ability of the brain to change its structure

Neurotransmitter

the chemical that is released when a signal is sent to the axon terminal

MRI vs fMRI

MRI looks at brain anatomy while fMRI looks at brain function