Bio psychology

What is Physiological Psychology and what tools does it use?

Studies neural mechanisms of behavior through direct manipulation of brain. Tools: lesion studies, stimulation studies.

What is Psychopharmacology and what tools does it use?

Studies drug effects on brain and behavior. Tools: drug administration, receptor binding studies.

What is Neuropsychology and what tools does it use?

Studies psychological deficits caused by brain damage. Tools: case studies, behavioral tests.

What is Psychophysiology and what tools does it use?

Studies physiological signals to understand psychological processes. Tools: EEG, heart rate monitoring.

What is Cognitive Neuroscience and what tools does it use?

Studies neural basis of cognitive processes. Tools: fMRI, PET scans.

What are the characteristics of a case study research design?

In-depth analysis of single individual/case. Advantages: Detailed information about rare conditions. Limitations: May not generalize to larger population.

What are the characteristics of a quasi-experimental study?

Uses naturally occurring groups. Cannot randomly assign participants. Example: Studying effects of age or gender.

What are the characteristics of an experimental design?

Random assignment to conditions. Manipulation of independent variable. Control of confounding variables. Gold standard for establishing causation.

What are the major changes in human brain evolution?

Increased size (especially frontal lobe), Development of language areas, Enhanced cognitive capabilities, Greater neural density, More complex neural networks.

What is transcription and where does it occur?

DNA copied to mRNA. Occurs in nucleus. Regulated by transcription factors.

What is translation and where does it occur?

mRNA translated to proteins. Occurs in ribosomes. Uses tRNA to add amino acids.

What are the characteristics of mitosis?

Creates identical body cells. Results in 2 identical daughter cells. Maintains chromosome number.

What are the characteristics of meiosis?

Creates sex cells. Results in 4 cells with half chromosomes. Allows genetic variation.

What is histone acetylation and its effects?

Adds acetyl groups. Opens chromatin. Increases gene expression.

What is histone phosphorylation and its effects?

Adds phosphate groups. Can increase or decrease expression. Context-dependent effects.

What is histone methylation and its effects?

Adds methyl groups. Can activate or repress genes. Depends on location and number.

What is DNA methylation and its effects?

Directly modifies DNA. Usually decreases gene expression. More permanent modification.

How do identical twins differ epigenetically over time?

Start with identical DNA. Epigenetic differences increase with age. Influenced by environmental factors, lifestyle choices, diet, stress exposure.

What are the functions of the frontal lobe?

Executive functions, Motor planning, Personality, Broca's area (speech production).

What are the functions of the temporal lobe?

Auditory processing, Memory formation, Wernicke's area (language comprehension).

What are the functions of the parietal lobe?

Sensory integration, Spatial awareness, Body position sense.

What are the functions of the occipital lobe?

Visual processing, Pattern recognition.

What are the functions of the thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebellum, hippocampus, and amygdala?

Thalamus: sensory relay. Hypothalamus: homeostasis. Cerebellum: movement coordination. Hippocampus: memory formation. Amygdala: emotion processing.

What are the major divisions of the brain?

Prosencephalon (Forebrain): Telencephalon, Diencephalon. Mesencephalon (Midbrain): Superior/inferior colliculi, Substantia nigra. Rhombencephalon (Hindbrain): Metencephalon, Myelencephalon.

What are the characteristics of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Rest & Digest: Decreases heart rate, Increases digestion, Constricts pupils, Stimulates salivation, Uses acetylcholine.

What are the characteristics of the sympathetic nervous system?

Fight or Flight: Increases heart rate, Decreases digestion, Dilates pupils, Increases sweating, Uses norepinephrine.

What are the key features of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

Created: Choroid plexus. Stored: Ventricles. Functions: Cushions brain, Removes waste, Delivers nutrients, Maintains pressure.

What are the characteristics of dorsal and ventral roots?

Dorsal Roots: Sensory nerves, Carry information to CNS, Afferent. Ventral Roots: Motor nerves, Carry information from CNS, Efferent.

What are the phases of an action potential in order?

1. Resting State (-70mV, Na+/K+ pump active, K+ channels open). 2. Depolarization (Na+ channels open, Na+ rushes in). 3. Peak (+30mV, Na+ channels inactivate). 4. Repolarization (K+ channels open more, K+ rushes out). 5. Hyperpolarization (Below -70mV, K+ channels still open).

What causes depolarization?

Na+ influx, Excitatory neurotransmitters, Opening of Na+ channels.

What causes hyperpolarization?

K+ efflux, Inhibitory neurotransmitters, Opening of Cl- channels.

What are agonists and their effects?

Activate receptors, Mimic natural neurotransmitters, Increase response.

What are antagonists and their effects?

Block receptors, Prevent natural binding, Decrease response.

What is the mesolimbic dopamine pathway?

VTA to nucleus accumbens, Reward and motivation, Involved in addiction.

What is the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway?

Substantia nigra to striatum, Motor control, Affected in Parkinson's.

What are the key features of serotonin?

Synthesis: From tryptophan. Storage: Vesicles. Functions: Mood regulation, Sleep cycles, Appetite control, Temperature regulation.

What are the characteristics of ionotropic receptors?

Fast acting, Ion channel directly attached, Opens immediately, Brief effect.

What are the characteristics of metabotropic receptors?

Slower acting, Uses second messengers, Longer lasting effects, More complex cascade.

What is the process of neurotransmitter function?

1. Synthesis. 2. Storage in vesicles. 3. Release via calcium. 4. Receptor binding. 5. Reuptake or breakdown.

What is the epinephrine synthesis pathway?

Tyrosine → DOPA → Dopamine → Norepinephrine → Epinephrine.

What are the key differences between glutamate and GABA?

Glutamate: Main excitatory, Learning/memory, Neural plasticity. GABA: Main inhibitory, Reduces anxiety, Controls excitation.

What are methods for measuring neurotransmitter release?

Microdialysis, Voltammetry, Receptor binding studies, PET scanning.

What are methods for measuring gene/protein expression?

PCR, Western blot, In situ hybridization, RNA sequencing.

What are the characteristics of CT scans?

X-ray based, Good for structure, Lower resolution, Quick/inexpensive.

What are the characteristics of MRI?

Magnetic fields, Excellent soft tissue, High resolution, No radiation.

What are the characteristics of PET scans?

Metabolic activity, Radioactive tracers, Good for function, Shows chemical activity.

What are the characteristics of EEG?

Electrical activity, Excellent temporal resolution, Poor spatial resolution, Non-invasive.

What is resting state connectivity?

Measures brain networks at rest, Shows functional connections, Uses fMRI, Identifies neural networks.

What are the major steps in nervous system development?

1. Neural induction. 2. Neural tube formation. 3. Neural crest migration. 4. Neurogenesis. 5. Migration. 6. Differentiation. 7. Synaptogenesis. 8. Pruning.

What is the order of postnatal development?

1. Sensory systems. 2. Motor systems. 3. Language areas. 4. Higher cognitive functions.

What do MRI studies reveal about language development?

Rapid white matter development, Strengthening of language pathways, Left hemisphere specialization, Critical periods identified.

What are the key features of neural crest cells?

Origin: Neural tube edges. Migration: Throughout body. Develop into: PNS neurons, Glial cells, Melanocytes, Facial bones.

What are complementary afterimages?

Occurs due to photoreceptor fatigue, Opposite colors appear, Based on opponent process theory, Examples: Red → Green, Blue → Yellow.

What are the characteristics of prosopagnosia?

Face blindness, Fusiform face area damaged, Can see faces but not recognize, Temporal lobe disorder.

What are the characteristics of parvocellular layers in the LGN?

Color vision, Fine detail, Slow processing, High acuity.

What are the characteristics of magnocellular layers in the LGN?

Motion detection, Depth perception, Fast processing, Low resolution.

What are the characteristics of the photopic system?

Daylight vision, Color sensitive, Uses cones, High acuity.

What are the characteristics of the scotopic system?

Night vision, Black and white, Uses rods, Low acuity.

What are the characteristics of rods?

More numerous, Light sensitive, Night vision, Peripheral vision, No color.

What are the characteristics of cones?

Less numerous, Color vision, Better acuity, Central vision, Three types (RGB).