(Chapter 3) Psychology - Biopsychology

1) Where are neurotransmitters produced?

Neurotransmitters are made in the cell body of the neuron and then transported down the axon to the axon terminal.

What happens to excess neurotransmitters in the synapse after an action potential?

Once an action potential has occurred, excess neurotransmitters in the synapse either drift away, are broken down or are reabsorbed.

Define plasticity

Brain's tendency to change and adapt (functionally and physically) as a result of experience and new learning.

10. If your ____________________ is activated, you will feel relatively at ease. a. somatic nervous system b. sympathetic nervous system c. parasympathetic nervous system d. spinal cord

C

14. Damage to the ____________________ disrupts one's ability to comprehend language, but it leaves one's ability to produce words intact. a. amygdala b. Broca's Area c. Wernicke's Area d. occipital lobe

C

18. The ____________________ secretes messenger hormones that direct the function of the rest of the endocrine glands. a. ovary b. thyroid c. pituitary d. pancreas

C

19. The ____________________ gland secretes epinephrine. a. adrenal b. thyroid c. pituitary d. master

A

8. An action potential involves Na+ moving ____________________ the cell and K+ moving ____________________ the cell. a. inside; outside b. outside; inside c. inside; inside d. outside; outside

A

What does PET scan measure?

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that can help reveal the metabolic or biochemical function of your tissues and organs. The PET scan uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to show both normal and abnormal metabolic activity.

The influx of positive ions, the internal charge of the cell becomes more positive. If that charge reaches a certain level, called the threshold of excitation, the neuron becomes active, and the action potential begins. What happens during an action potential?

An action potential occurs when a neuron sends information down an axon, away from the cell body. The action potential is an explosion of electrical activity that is created by a depolarizing current.

What does EEG measure?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a recording of brain activity. During this painless test, small sensors are attached to the scalp to pick up the electrical signals produced by the brain. These signals are recorded by a machine and are looked at by a doctor.

The Following Questions are from the book.

Anyone noticed how book questions do not relate to what we study Rather safe than sorry though

Describe the structure and explain the role of synapses.

At the end of the axons are terminal buttons which contain synaptic vessels (storage sites for chemical messengers called neurotransmitters).

Describe the structure and explain the role of Myelin sheath.

Axons are covered in a myelin sheath made of a fatty substance that insulates axons and allows the signal to travel down the axon quicker. Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty substances. This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells. If myelin is damaged, these impulses slow down.

15. A(n) ____________________ uses magnetic fields to create pictures of a given tissue. a. EEG b. MRI c. PET scan d. CT scan

B

2. ____________________refers to a person's genetic makeup, while ____________________refers to a person's physical characteristics. a. Phenotype; genotype b. Genotype; phenotype c. DNA; gene d. Gene; DNA

B

20. The ____________________ secretes hormones that regulate the body's fluid levels. a. adrenal b. pituitary c. testes d. thyroid

B

4. Humans have ____________________ pairs of chromosomes. a. 15 b. 23 c. 46 d. 78

B

7. Multiple sclerosis involves a breakdown of the ____________________ a. soma b. myelin sheath c. synaptic vesicles d. dendrite

B

9. Our ability to make our legs move as we walk across the room is controlled by the ____________________ nervous system. a. autonomic b. somatic c. sympathetic d. parasympathetic

B

What is Biopsychology?

Biopsychology (also known as physiological psychology, behavioral neuroscience or psychobiology) is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes how the brain and neurotransmitters influence our behaviors, thoughts and feelings.

3. ____________________ is the field of study that focuses on genes and their expression. a. Social psychology b. Evolutionary psychology c. Epigenetics d. Behavioral neuroscience

C

6. A(n) ____________________ facilitates or mimics the activity of a given neurotransmitter system. a. axon b. SSRI c. agonist d. antagonist

C

If you see **, it means the info was not emphasized and talked about in class and might not be important

Chapter is pretty long and informative. I have summarized and connected points for better understanding. Goodluck.

Locate the corpus callosum and explain its function

Corpus callosum is a large white matter nerve tract that is located deep to the longitudinal fissure, which connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres. It is also involved in movement control, cognitive functions, and vision.

1. A(n) ____________________ is a sudden, permanent change in a sequence of DNA. a. allele b. chromosome c. epigenetic d. mutation

D

11. The central nervous system is comprised of ____________________ a. sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems b. organs and glands c. somatic and autonomic nervous systems d. brain and spinal cord

D

12. Sympathetic activation is associated with ____________________ a. pupil dilation b. storage of glucose in the liver c. increased heart rate d. both A and C

D

13. The ____________________ is a sensory relay station where all sensory information, except for smell, goes before being sent to other areas of the brain for further processing. a. amygdala b. hippocampus c. hypothalamus d. thalamus

D

16. Which of the following is not a structure of the forebrain? a. thalamus b. hippocampus c. amygdala d. substantia nigra

D

17. The two major hormones secreted from the pancreas are: a. estrogen and progesterone b. norepinephrine and epinephrine c. thyroxine and oxytocin d. glucagon and insulin

D

5. The ____________________ receive(s) incoming signals from other neurons. a. soma b. terminal buttons c. myelin sheath d. dendrites

D

Before proceeding, please make sure to be familiar with these parts. Memorize their structure and location. Search them up.

Dendrites Axons Myelin sheath Glial cells Synapses

Our body has many different parts that ensure everything runs smoothly, can you mention the most important ones in Biopsychology? (5 parts)

Dendrites Axons Myelin sheath Glial cells Synapses

What does CT measure?

Diagnose muscle and bone disorders, such as bone tumors and fractures. Pinpoint the location of a tumor, infection or blood clot. Guide procedures such as surgery, biopsy and radiation therapy. Detect and monitor diseases and conditions such as cancer, heart disease, lung nodules and liver masses.

What does MRI/fMRI measure?

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures the small changes in blood flow that occur with brain activity. It may be used to examine which parts of the brain are handling critical functions, evaluate the effects of stroke or other disease, or to guide brain treatment.

Describe the structure and explain the role of glial cells.

Glia, also called glial cells or neuroglia, are non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

What happened to Phineas Gage and what does that tell us about the brain?

In 1948, Phineas Gage had a workplace accident in which an iron tamping rod entered and exited his skull. He survived but it is said that his personality changed as a result, leading to a greater understanding of the brain regions involved in personality, namely the frontal lobe.

Describe the structure and explain the role of axons.

Incoming electrical signals from other neurons are received by the dendrites which then send the signal down the axon. An axon is a thin fiber that extends from a neuron, or nerve cell, and is responsible for transmitting electrical signals to help with sensory perception and movement. Each axon is surrounded by a myelin sheath, a fatty layer that insulates the axon and helps it transmit signals over long distances.

**Locate the limbic system (hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus) and explain it's function

It is the structure that connects the cerebrum of the brain to the spinal cord and cerebellum. It is composed of 3 sections in descending order: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. It is responsible for many vital functions of life, such as breathing, consciousness, blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep. - Hippocampus is a complex brain structure embedded deep into temporal lobe. It has a major role in learning and memory. It is a plastic and vulnerable structure that gets damaged by a variety of stimuli. Studies have shown that it also gets affected in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders. - The amygdala is a complex structure of cells nestled in the middle of the brain, adjacent to the hippocampus (which is associated with memory formation). The amygdala is primarily involved in the processing of emotions and memories associated with fear. - Your hypothalamus, a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body's smart control coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis. It does its job by directly influencing your autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones.

What functions are highly lateralized in the brain?

Language functions such as grammar, vocabulary and literal meaning are typically lateralized to the left hemisphere, especially in right-handed individuals. While language production is left-lateralized in up to 90% of right-handers, it is more bilateral, or even right-lateralized, in approximately 50% of left-handers.

The neuron membrane's potential is held in a state of readiness, called the ___________ potential .

Resting potential

List step by step the action potential.

Signal received ➜ Neurotransmitters cause pores membrane to open ➜ NA(sodium) ions moves in, and the inside charge becomes positive ➜ Threshold of activation ➜ Action potential

**Locate the reticular formation and explain its function

The brainstem reticular formation (RF) represents the archaic core of those pathways connecting the spinal cord and the encephalon. It subserves autonomic, motor, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, and mood-related functions.

Locate the cerebellum and explain its function

The cerebellum is located in the back of your brain. It helps with the coordination and movement related to motor skills, especially involving the hands and feet. It also helps maintain posture, balance, and equilibrium.

Locate the frontal lobes (prefrontal cortex) and explain its function

The frontal lobe is the most anterior (front) part of the brain. It extends from the area behind the forehead back to the precentral gyrus. As a whole, the frontal lobe is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as memory, emotions, impulse control, problem solving, social interaction, and motor function. The prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain located at the front of the frontal lobe. It is implicated in a variety of complex behaviors, including planning, and greatly contributes to personality development.

What is the basic difference between the central and peripheral nervous systems?

The nervous system has two main parts: The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and extend to all parts of the body. Check Image: https://www.vedantu.com/question-sets/4a0ff98a-8805-420f-8e0c-b7cb950989ac2812584171336269475.png

Describe the structure and explain the role of Dendrites.

The nucleus of the neuron is in the soma, or cell body. The soma has branching extensions known as dendrites. Dendrites are appendages that are designed to receive communications from other cells. They resemble a tree-like structure. Study Picture

**Locate the occipital lobes and explain its function

The occipital lobes sit at the back of the head and are responsible for visual perception, including colour, form and motion. Damage to the occipital lobe can include: Difficulty with locating objects in environment. Difficulty with identifying colours (Colour Agnosia)

**Locate the parietal lobes and explain its function

The parietal lobe is behind the frontal lobe, separated by the central sulcus. Areas in the parietal lobe are responsible for integrating sensory information, including touch, temperature, pressure and pain.

What is the basic difference between the autonomic and the somatic nervous systems?

The somatic nervous system consists of nerves that go to the skin and muscles and is involved in conscious activities. The autonomic nervous system consists of nerves that connect the CNS to the visceral organs such as the heart, stomach, and intestines. It mediates unconscious activities.

**Locate the temporal lobes and explain its function

The temporal lobes sit behind the ears and are the second largest lobe. They are most commonly associated with processing auditory information and with the encoding of memory.

Locate the thalamus and explain its function

The thalamus is a small structure within the brain located just above the brain stem between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain and has extensive nerve connections to both. The primary function of the thalamus is to relay motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.

2) What function do neurotransmitters perform?

They are the molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons, or from neurons to muscles.

** True or False: Psychological disorders like depression and schizophrenia are associated with imbalances in one or more neurotransmitter systems.

True

What happens in the synaptic gap when an action potential is fired?

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic terminal, it causes neurotransmitter to be released from the neuron into the synaptic cleft, a 20-40nm gap between the presynaptic axon terminal and the postsynaptic dendrite (often a spine).

3) How do neurotransmitters interact with dendrites on post-synaptic neurons

When neurotransmitter molecules bind to receptors located on a neuron's dendrites, ion channels open.

What are the basic difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

While your sympathetic nervous system controls your body's "fight or flight" response, your parasympathetic nervous system helps to control your body's response during times of rest.

**Locate the brainstem and explain its function

Your brainstem is the bottom part of your brain. It looks like a stalk that connects the rest of your brain to your spinal cord. Your brainstem sends signals from your brain to the rest of your body. It controls many subconscious body functions, like breathing and maintaining your heart rate.

The _______________________ and the ________________ have what is referred to as a lock-and key relationship

neurotransmitter and receptor

Between 2 neurons, a small space named _____________________, neural communication takes place

synaptic cleft