Biological Psychology and Mind-Body Problem
80 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?

  • To synthesize new protein molecules
  • To transmit nerve impulses away from the cell body
  • To store genetic information
  • To receive information from other neurons (correct)

    • Which component of a neuron is primarily involved in metabolic work?

  • Presynaptic terminals
  • Dendrites
  • Soma/cell body (correct)
  • Axon

    • Which feature distinguishes neurons from other types of cells?

  • High requirement for glucose and oxygen (correct)
  • Synthesis of ribosomes
  • Ability to undergo mitosis
  • Presence of a cell membrane

    • What role do dendritic spines play in neurons?

    <p>They enhance the surface area for receiving signals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the axon of a neuron?

    <p>Transmitting nerve impulses towards other neurons, organs, and muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which processes can the number of synapses and dendritic spines change?

    <p>In response to sensory stimulation and learning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of mitochondria within a neuron?

    <p>Perform metabolic activities and provide energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is NOT associated with neurons?

    <p>Regeneration through mitosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for the signaling capabilities of neurons?

    <p>Dendrites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the structure of neurons from other cells?

    <p>Complex intercellular machinery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary principle distinguishes biological psychology from traditional psychology?

    <p>Understanding behavior through observable biological mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which philosopher placed the idea of the mind within the brain, linking the two entities?

    <p>Descartes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does materialism assert about behavior?

    <p>Behavior does not need a reference to a non-material mind.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept describes the belief that different areas of the brain control specific behaviors?

    <p>Localization of Function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Aristotle, how did he explain the mind’s influence on the body?

    <p>The psyche controls behavior through the heart.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The mind-body problem primarily deals with what central question?

    <p>Can a non-material mind produce material movements?</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a focus area of biological psychology?

    <p>Understanding psychic phenomena</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What notable idea is associated with phrenology?

    <p>Different brain regions correspond to specific behaviors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What hypothesis is aligned with the statement that every observable behavior has a biological cause?

    <p>Materialism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of biological psychology, what does the term 'hardware' refer to?

    <p>The physical structure of the brain and body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the action potential in neuronal function?

    <p>It is an electrical signal that transmits information along the axon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do glial cells play in the nervous system?

    <p>They insulate, support, and nourish neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes Santiago Ramon y Cajal's contribution to neuroscience?

    <p>He demonstrated that neurons function as independent units.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the squid giant axon in neurological research?

    <p>To serve as a model due to its large diameter for electrical recording.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do neurons influence behavior according to the information provided?

    <p>By processing rewarding stimuli and integrating them into mental experiences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a notable finding by Hodgin and Huxley regarding action potentials?

    <p>They first recorded the electrical changes occurring within neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scientist disproved the idea that neuron cells merged into each other?

    <p>Santiago Ramon y Cajal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate number of neurons in the human brain?

    <p>100 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In studying neurons, what were micro electrodes used for in research?

    <p>To inject current and disturb cell activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of neuron activity is associated with decision-making and emotional responses?

    <p>Neurons that respond to rewarding stimuli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do presynaptic terminals play in neuron communication?

    <p>They release chemicals to communicate with other neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the function of afferent axons?

    <p>They transmit sensory information into a structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes intrinsic neurons?

    <p>Their dendrites and axons are confined within a single structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the shape of a neuron relate to its function?

    <p>Neurons are shaped to optimize their specific functions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining feature of motor neurons?

    <p>Their cell body is located in the spinal cord.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What proportion of glial cells to neurons in the human brain is approximately 1:1?

    <p>Across the entire brain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region of the brain has the highest proportion of glial cells to neurons?

    <p>Telencephalon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the specialization of sensory neurons at one end allow them to do?

    <p>Be highly sensitive to specific types of stimulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do Purkinje cells in the cerebellum primarily conduct impulses?

    <p>In a highly branched manner within a plane.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction?

    <p>To transmit signals from the nervous system to the NMJ</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of cells are responsible for supporting and nourishing neurons in the nervous system?

    <p>Glial cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant contribution made by Alan Lloyd Hodgkin and Andrew Fielding Huxley to neuroscience?

    <p>Measurement of action potentials in neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many neurons are estimated to be present in the human brain?

    <p>Approximately 100 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes neurons from glial cells in the nervous system?

    <p>Neurons are involved in signal transmission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of neurotransmitters in neuron communication?

    <p>To facilitate the transmission of signals across the synapse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals from other cells?

    <p>Dendrites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the myelin sheath have in neuronal function?

    <p>It insulates the axon to speed up signal transmission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which junction do signals cross between neurons?

    <p>Synaptic cleft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one key change Descartes made to the perspective of the mind-body relationship?

    <p>He connected the mind to the brain through the pineal gland.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the electrical signal being transmitted along the axon?

    <p>It generates action potentials for sending signals to other neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theory asserts that behavior can be fully explained by the workings of the nervous system?

    <p>Materialism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the synaptic vesicle in neuron function?

    <p>To transport neurotransmitters to the synapse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Gall’s localization of function differ from the broader perspectives on brain function?

    <p>It suggests that specific areas of the brain control specific behaviors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is involved in the release and reception of neurotransmitters at the synapse?

    <p>Vesicle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which system connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body?

    <p>Peripheral nervous system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the neuron is responsible for processing signals before transmitting them?

    <p>Cell body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to neurotransmitters after they have transmitted a signal across the synapse?

    <p>They are destroyed or taken back up by the presynaptic neuron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of biological psychology, which aspect is primarily focused on understanding the function of the brain?

    <p>Cerebral specialization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure separates the presynaptic neuron from the postsynaptic neuron at the synapse?

    <p>Synaptic cleft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the overall view of dualism in the mind-body debate?

    <p>Behavior is controlled by separate entities of mind and body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the brain primarily play in relation to the body according to modern theories?

    <p>It monitors and regulates bodily functions as well as cognition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What triggers the movement of vesicles to the synapse membrane?

    <p>An electrical impulse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process occurs immediately after vesicles fuse with the synaptic membrane?

    <p>Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do neurotransmitters play at the synapse?

    <p>They bind to receptors and transmit signals to the next neuron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must happen for a signal to be transmitted across the synapse?

    <p>A sufficient number of receptors must bind with neurotransmitters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is primarily responsible for releasing neurotransmitters?

    <p>Axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to neurotransmitters once they diffuse across the synaptic cleft?

    <p>They bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron's membrane</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the synaptic cleft in neuronal communication?

    <p>It separates the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the release of neurotransmitters lead to signal transmission?

    <p>By binding to specific receptors on the postsynaptic neuron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What initiates the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft?

    <p>The arrival of an electrical impulse at the synapse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the final step of neurotransmission at a synapse?

    <p>The postsynaptic neuron generates an electrical signal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure primarily connects the brain's right and left hemispheres?

    <p>Corpus callosum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary functions of the brain stem?

    <p>Controlling sleep cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for the transmission of electrical impulses?

    <p>Axon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the myelin sheath play in neuronal functioning?

    <p>Insulate the axon to speed up transmission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do neurons primarily communicate with each other?

    <p>Through a mixture of electrical &amp; chemical signals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily affected when the signal reaches the end of the axon?

    <p>Release of neurotransmitters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of a neuron is responsible for the overall health and maintenance of the cell?

    <p>Nucleus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary importance of the cerebellum in the nervous system?

    <p>Coordination and timing of movement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What part of a neuron receives incoming signals from other neurons?

    <p>Dendrites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Biological Psychology Definitions

    • Biological Psychology is the study of the physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms of behavior and experience.
    • It focuses on the biological mechanisms of normal and abnormal behavior.
    • Unlike traditional psychology, it doesn't view the human mind as a "black box," but rather focuses on the "hardware" that implements cognition and behavior.
    • Its goal is to connect biology with psychology, understanding the relationship between brain function and behavior.
    • Every observable action and cognitive function has an underlying biological cause.

    Mind-Body Problem

    • The mind-body problem, a 2000-year-old concept, originated in Greco-Roman mythology.
    • Philosophers like Aristotle used myths like Psyche and Cupid to connect behavior to the psyche (mind), not the brain.
    • Mentalism argues the mind is responsible for behavior and emotions, but poses a problem: how can a non-physical entity cause physical actions?
    • Aristotle believed the mind acted through the heart, a view adopted by Christianity as the concept of the soul.
    • Descartes revised this, positioning the mind in the brain, specifically linking it to the pineal gland.
    • Dualism explains behavior through both the mind and the body, with the brain serving as a bridge between them.

    Materialism

    • Materialism proposes that behavior can be fully explained by the nervous system, without needing a non-material mind.
    • This view is rooted in evolutionary theories like those of Darwin and Wallace.
    • Gall's Localization of Function suggests specific brain areas control specific behaviors.

    The Brain and Neuron Theories

    • Specific brain areas are responsible for distinct behaviors.
    • Different areas of the brain are involved in decision-making, emotion/motivation, instincts/urges, and ultimately behavior, with these processes preceding overall behavior.

    Your Nervous System

    • The nervous system is divided into central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral (connecting to the brain and spinal cord) components.
    • Central nervous system (CNS): processes information, controls voluntary and involuntary actions
    • Peripheral nervous system (PNS): connects the CNS to other parts of the body, transmitting signals to and from organs/ muscles.

    Functional Divisions of the Human Nervous System

    • The nervous system is organized into three major subdivisions: Central, Somatic, and Autonomic nervous systems
    • The Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord
    • The Somatic Nervous System is involved in voluntary movements
    • The Autonomic Nervous System controls involuntary functions.
    • The components of the nervous system are further divided into Sympathetic (arousal) and Parasympathetic (calming) branches
    • Different brain regions have different functions.

    Action Potential and Neurons

    • The electrical signal transmitted along an axon is called an action potential.
    • The cells of the nervous system are called neurons.
    • Neurons have dendrites, a cell body (soma) with the nucleus, an axon, myelin sheath (in some cases), and nerve endings (terminals).

    Neurons and Behavior

    • Neurons communicate with each other at the synapse.
    • Signals cross between neurons at the synapse, a junction.

    Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ)

    • NMJ is when the nervous system meets the muscles.
    • Chemical messages pass signals from the nerve cell to the muscle cell.

    The Cells of The Nervous System

    • Neurons and Glia are the two kinds of cells in the human nervous system.
    • The human brain contains approximately 100 billion neurons and an approximately equal number of glia. This number varies greatly across brain regions.

    Structures of An Animal Cell

    • The neuron, like all cells, contains various structures like the Golgi body (protein packaging), lysosomes (waste removal), microfilaments (cellular skeleton), and the nucleus (genetic center).
    • The neuron also has mitochondiria for energy/ATP production and an endoplasmic reticulum to transport proteins.

    The Structure of a Neuron

    • Neurons possess dendrites, a cell body (soma) with the nucleus, an axon (sometimes myelinated), and synaptic terminals.
    • Dendrites collect information, the cell body processes it, the axon transmits it, and synaptic terminals pass it on to other cells or effectors.

    Dendritic Spines

    • Some dendrites contain spines that increase their surface area.
    • More surface areas mean more information a dendrite can receive.

    Synapses/Dendritic Spines

    • The number of synapses and dendritic spines change with development, sensory stimulation, learning, and experience. This plasticity is reflected, and influenced, by experiences and environmental stimuli.

    Motor and Sensory Neurons

    • Motor neurons are in the spinal cord, receive signals from other neurons, and stimulate muscles.
    • Sensory neurons are highly specialized to detect various stimuli (touch, light, sound, etc.) and carry signals to the central nervous system (CNS).

    Glial Cells

    • Glial cells are responsible for supporting and nourishing neurons and generally outnumber neurons, with their proportions varying across regions.

    Different Types of Glia Cells

    • Astrocytes: help synchronize activities of axons, provide structural support, create the blood-brain barrier, regulate uptake of chemicals, and heal damaged areas.
    • Microglia: are part of the immune system in the CNS, remove waste, viruses, and fungi, and participate in injury responses.
    • Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells: build the myelin sheath, providing insulation and speeding up signal transmission. Oligodendrocytes myelinate multiple axons in the central nervous system whereas Schwann cells myelinate single axons in the peripheral nervous system.
    • Ependymal Cells: secrete cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the central nervous system. They line the cavities of the brain and spinal cord.

    The Myelin Sheath

    • Myelin is a fatty substance that electrically insulates nerve axons.
    • Myelination dramatically increases the speed of signal transmission, using saltatory conduction.
    • The myelin sheath has gaps called nodes of Ranvier, essential for saltatory conduction.

    Blood Brain Barrier

    • The blood-brain barrier is a protective mechanism that isolates the brain from the general circulation.
    • It regulates what passes from the blood to the brain.
    • Astrocytes play an active role in strengthening and maintaining the blood-brain barrier via direct physical interaction with blood vessels.

    Active Transport

    • Active transport is a specialized mechanism that requires the expenditure of energy, typically in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to facilitate the movement of essential chemicals into the brain. This includes vital nutrients such as glucose, hormones, amino acids, and vitamins, which the brain relies on for proper function and maintenance.
    • This mechanism is particularly crucial for transporting nutrients that cannot easily cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective shield that regulates the entry of substances from the bloodstream into the brain to safeguard it from potential toxins while ensuring that important nutrients are still delivered.
    • This process is not only essential for nourishing brain cells but also supports various neurological functions and plays a role in maintaining cognitive health and overall brain metabolism.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Description

    Explore the fundamental concepts of Biological Psychology, focusing on the biological basis of behavior and experience. Additionally, delve into the age-old Mind-Body Problem, discussing its philosophical roots and implications in understanding human psychology. This quiz connects biological mechanisms with psychological functions for a comprehensive view.

    More Like This

    Biological Psychology and Neurons
    63 questions

    Biological Psychology and Neurons

    CleanHolly avatar
    CleanHolly
    Biological Psychology Overview
    10 questions

    Biological Psychology Overview

    NonViolentHill avatar
    NonViolentHill
    Biological Psychology Overview
    40 questions

    Biological Psychology Overview

    SubstantivePedalSteelGuitar196 avatar
    SubstantivePedalSteelGuitar196
    Biological Psychology Overview
    10 questions

    Biological Psychology Overview

    IntelligentSun avatar
    IntelligentSun
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser