AQA A-LEVEL: Biopsychology - Structure of Neurons

STRUCTURE OF NEURONS

STRUCTURE

  • CELL BODY which contains a nucleus which has all the genetic material of cell
  • Have DENDRITES which are branch-like structures which carry impulses from other neurones towards the cell body
  • AXON carries impulse AWAY from cell body down the neurone
  • AXON covered in a protective layer MYELIN SHEATH which speeds up electrical impulses
  • MYELIN SHEATH is segmented by gaps called NODES OF RANVIER, which speed up transmissions of impulses as it forces it to jump across the gaps
  • At the end of the AXON, there are TERMINAL BUTTONS which communicate with the next neurone via neurotransmitters
Sensory Neurone
  • Unipolar
  • Carries info from PNS to CNS about external and internal environment using sensory receptors 
  • Long dendrites and short axons
Relay Neurone
  • Multipolar as it can send AND receive info
  • Most common type in CNS allows sensory and motor neurones to communicate and connect
  • Short dendrites and short axons
Motor Neurone
  • Multipolar as it can send AND receive info
  • Connects CNS to effectors like muscles and glands
  • Short dendrites and long axons 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

AQA A-LEVEL: Biopsychology - Brain Plasticity and Recovery after Trauma

Image
BRAIN PLASTICITY AND RECOVERY AFTER TRAUMA BRAIN PLASTICITY: Brains ability to change and adapt mentally and functionally as a result of experience and new learning. EXPERIENCE EXPECTANT PLASTICITY: Changes in the brain taking place in infancy We have 15,000 synaptic connections by 2-3yrs through synaptogenesis which is double what we have as an adult. Not all synaptic connections are used so some are deleted by cognitive pruning which strengthens the frequently used synapses. EXPERIENCE DEPENDENT PLASTICITY: When the brain continues to create new neural pathways and alter existing ones as a result of learning and life experiences. Through...  Synaptogenesis - New synapses form through life but mostly in infancy Neurogenesis - New neurones form. Occurs in infancy and adulthood. Synaptic Pruning - Synapse elimination which occurs in early childhood and the onset of puberty - occurs less in adulthood.  COMPUTER GAMING - KUHN et al  ...
Read more

AQA A-LEVEL: Biopsychology - Localisation of Function

Image
LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION LOCALISATION: Theory that specific areas of the brain are associated w/ particular physical and physiological functions. M OTOR CORTEX contains the F rontal Lobe S OMATOSENSORY CORTEX contains the P arietal Lobe V ISUAL CORTEX contains the O ccipital Lobe A UDITORY CORTEX contains the T emporal Lobe Language systems are in the W ERNICKE'S AREA for Speech Comprehension and B ROCA'S AREA for Speech P roduction " M y F ather S ings P raise" " V iolets O nly A round T rees" "Women C an B ring P ower" HEMISPHERIC LATERALISATION: Dominance of one are of the brain for a particular physical and physiological function LASHLEY's Research - Localisation is incorrect, his research supports the idea of equipotentiality of the cortex. Simple functions are localised but complex functions are not MOTOR CORTEX Generates voluntary motor movements by sending messages to muscles via CNS In the frontal lobe, bo...
Read more

AQA A-LEVEL: Issues and Debates - Idiographic and Nomothetic Approach

Image
IDIOGRAPHIC AND NOMOTHETIC APPROACH Whether psychology should focus on the individual or on people in general IDIOGRAPHIC APPROACH Attempts to explain the NATURE of individuals. We should be studied as unique entities who have had our own subjective experiences, motivations and values which have contributed to out own individual development. Methods under the Idiographic approach tends to produce qualitative data that tries to describe the richness and detail of human experience  e.g. Interviews, questionnaires and case studies  The humanistic and Freud section of the psychodynamic are examples of idiographic approach NOMOTHETIC APPROACH Aims to produce GENERAL LAWS of human behaviour which can be used as a benchmark for people to be measured, classified or compared. From these general laws, future behaviour can be predicted or even controlled. The Nomothetic Approach has been said by Radford and Kirby (1975) to have produced 3 general laws...
Read more