An amino acid, it is probably the most common single (inhibitory) neurotransmitter of all, but it is not found in proteins. It has been estimated that 20-40% of all axon terminals in the brain contain GABA. Released into synaptic cleft, it can prevent the postsynaptic neuron from firing. This aids in ensuring that nerve cells …
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Gametes
Mature haploid cells that fuse to form a zygote in sexual reproduction. In many organisms, the male gamete is called a spermatozoon, spermatozoid or antherozoid. The female gamete is referred to as an ovum. As haploid cells, they contain half the normal complement of chromosomes and thus when they fuse the diploid number is restored. …
Game(s) theory
An approach in mathematics, originally devised by John von Neumann (1903-1957) among others, drawing on statistics, economics and psychology, to understand how people or organizations make strategic decisions so as to maximise gains and to minimise losses relative to competitors. Such decision making involves what are called zero-sum games (i.e., one player’s gain is another’s …
Games
An activity done for its own sake, like play, but which has publicly available rules to the activity, and an internally defined goal (usually, winning the game). See Game(s) theory, Play
Galloping
In bipedal animals such as humans, the gallop is an asymmetrical gait in which each leg does something different. The lead leg does a walking step while the trailing leg runs or leaps. This results in an interlimb phasing relationship that is either 2:1 or 3:1. A slide is the same pattern of interlimb coordination, …
Fussing
This term refers to distressed vocal and other behavior that is less intense than crying and often considered to be either an intermediate state or a transition between crying and settled behavior (awake or asleep). Vocalizations made on expiration, often with a glottal stop. Unlike crying, eyes usually open, often intermittently, when fussing. Attempts to distinguish …
Gait
Often used interchangeably with locomotion. Refers to a manner of locomotion (e.g., shuffling gait as in Parkinson‚was disease). Typically, a gait cycle is characterized by a stance phase (when a foot is in contact with the ground) and a swing phase (when the foot is lifted until the heel strikes the ground again). As …
Fusiform gyrus
A specific, spindle-shaped gyrus or ‘outfolding’ in the inferior temporal lobe at the junction with area V4 of the visual cortex in the occipital lobe (see figure below) that is mainly responsible for color perception, and which appears to be involved in recognizing faces and objects (but particularly the latter, thus leading to the designation …
Fundamental movement patterns
Elementary forms of movement. They are often described as basic movement patterns or abilities that are eventually integrated into more specialized and complex movement skills used in many activities, games and sports. See Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Galloping, Motor milestone, Motor Performance Study (Michigan State University), Motor skill, Movement, Ontogenetic skills, Pattern, Phylogenetic skills, Skill (general)