IB Psychology SL - Biological Terms and Theories

Anterograde amnesia

Not able to transfer information from STM to LTM

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

detailed pictures of internal structure in the body, shows blood flow in brain, static, expensive

fMRI - Functional MRI

Shows blood oxygen-level response over time, 3D pictures of brain structures, can record activity in all regions of the brain, can be difficult to interpret because of limited spatial resolution

Localization of Function

Specific parts of the brain are responsible for specific behaviors of cognitive processes

Parts of the brain rarely work in isolation

Role of amygdala

plays a role in the formation of emotional memory and fear responses

Role of basal ganglia

Habit forming and procedural memory

Role of Hippocampus

transfer of STM to LTM

Neuroplasticity

the changes in the neural pathways and synapses due to changes in behavior, environment, thinking, emotions, as well as changes resulting from bodily injuries

Neural networks

formed through dendritic branching; dendrites of the neurons grow in numbers and connect with other neurons

Neural pruning

decrease in the number of synapses as a result of the removal of dendritic branches

Excitatory neurotransmitters

increase the likelihood of a neuron firing by depolarizing the neuron

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

decreases the likelihood of a neuron firing by hyper-polarizing the neuron

Agonist

A chemical that causes an actions; activated the receptor to produce a biological response

Antagonist

Some antagonists are drugs that block the receptor site on the post-synaptic neuron and don’t allow the neurotransmitter to do its job

Hormones

chemicals produced by glands that make up the endocrine system; released directly into the bloodstream

Pheromones

Chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its own species

Natural Selection

those who adapt best to the environment will have a greater chance of surviving, having children, and passing on their genes to their offspring

Adaptation

species develops characteristics that make it more competitive in its environment