chapter 2 psychology

Which of the following best describes association areas?

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not primarily involved in sensation or motor activity

Each kind of neurotransmitter has a unique chemical structure, and each can fit into a specifically tailored harbor, or__________, on the cell receiving a message.

receptor site

A neuron relays its message to another neuron across a junction called a__________.

synapse

When a neural impulse reaches the axon terminal of a neuron, the vesicles release varying amounts of neurotransmitters into the__________.

synaptic cleft

Axons end in small, bulb-shaped structures called _____.

terminal buttons

Peter went out cycling one morning. He was not wearing a helmet. He fell off a ridge and fell into a steep valley. Apart from fracturing his arm and acquiring several bruises, Peter severely injured his head. The doctor noticed a swelling on the right side of his head and suspected that it was a blood clot. Which of the following did the doctor use to obtain a three-dimensional image of Peter's brain for further investigation?

Computerized axial tomography

What role does the somatic nervous system play?

It transmits messages about sights, sounds, smells, and so on, to the central nervous system.

In the context of the brain's language functions, identify the correct statement.

People with Wernicke's aphasia usually speak freely and with proper syntax.

The brain and the spinal cord make up the _____, which controls and commands bodily functions.

central nervous system

Nicotine, alcohol, and many other drugs are pleasurable because they heighten levels of _____.

dopamine

Among lower animals, stimulation of various areas of the__________can trigger instinctual behaviors such as fighting, mating, or nest building.

hypothalamus

The__________is a group of structures involved in memory, motivation, and emotion that forms a fringe along the inner edge of the cerebrum.

limbic system

The__________is an oblong area of the hindbrain involved in regulation of heartbeat, blood pressure, movement, and respiration.

medulla

Messages from the brain or spinal cord are transmitted to muscles or glands through _____.

motor neurons

The__________lies below the hypothalamus and is dubbed the "master gland."

pituitary gland

The__________is a bulge in the hindbrain that lies forward of the medulla and transmits information about body movement.

pons

Some researchers consider the__________to be the "executive center" of the brain, where decisions are made to keep information in working memory and to solve problems.

prefrontal cortex

_________remove dead neurons and waste products from the nervous system.

Glial cells

_________are specialized cells of the nervous system that receive and transmit messages.

Neurons

Which of the following is a difference between the thalamus and the hypothalamus?

The thalamus serves as a relay station for sensory stimulation, whereas the hypothalamus controls the regulation of body temperature, concentration of fluids, storage of nutrients, and motivation and emotion.