Biological Psychology and Nervous System Basics
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Biological Psychology and Nervous System Basics

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What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system?

  • Transmits sensory information from the central nervous system to muscles
  • Facilitates communication between neurons
  • Processes visual information from the eyes
  • Carries messages between the central nervous system and glands and organs (correct)

    • Which hormone is released by the pituitary gland to stimulate the adrenal glands?

  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (correct)
  • Cortisol
  • Epinephrine
  • Norepinephrine

    • Which of the following best describes GABA's role in the brain?

  • It slows or inhibits brain activity (correct)
  • It promotes the release of other neurotransmitters
  • It enhances excitatory signals in the central nervous system
  • It is involved in short-term memory retention

    • How do neurons communicate with each other?

    <p>By neurotransmitters crossing the synapse between them</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cells are primarily involved in supporting neurons in the nervous system?

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

    What is the primary focus of biological psychology?

    <p>The examination of physical and chemical changes related to behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes a neuron?

    <p>A neuron is a specialized cell that can generate electrical impulses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the myelin sheath?

    <p>To increase the speed of action potential along the axon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs when a neuron depolarizes?

    <p>The negative charge inside the neuron decreases or becomes positive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the nervous system is responsible for receiving signals from other neurons?

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

    What are synapses?

    <p>Gaps between neurons for communication</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the nervous system primarily process information?

    <p>By integrating information with past experiences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do glial cells play in the nervous system?

    <p>They hold neurons together and facilitate communication between them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

    <p>Influencing activity related to protection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for vital functions such as breathing and heart rate?

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

    In the spinal cord, which type of neurons are responsible for conveying signals from sensory organs to the brain?

    <p>Afferent neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the hippocampus?

    <p>Formation of new memories</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure in the brain is involved in regulating hunger and thirst?

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

    Which structure in the hindbrain is primarily responsible for regulating breathing and heart rate?

    <p>Medulla oblongata</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cortex processes skin, touch, pain, and temperature sensations?

    <p>Somatosensory cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the cerebral cortex is responsible for voluntary movements?

    <p>Motor cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the hippocampus in the brain?

    <p>Forms new memories</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is mainly associated with mood regulation and is often linked to depression?

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

    The lateral dominance or lateralisation refers to what phenomenon in the cerebral hemispheres?

    <p>One hemisphere excelling in a particular function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure relays signals from most sense organs to higher levels in the brain?

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

    Which part of the brain is responsible for transferring information between the two cerebral hemispheres?

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

    What role do hormones play in the endocrine system?

    <p>They provide feedback to the brain and pituitary gland.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The reticular formation is primarily involved in which of the following functions?

    <p>Arousal and attention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is linked with memory and can contribute to damage post-stroke?

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

    Which of the following structures coordinates fine movements and cognitive processes?

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

    Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in regulating movement and is associated with disorders such as Parkinson's disease?

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

    What is the role of neurotransmitters in neuronal communication?

    <p>They assist in the transfer of signals from one neuron to another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of postsynaptic potential makes a neuron less likely to fire?

    <p>Inhibitory postsynaptic potential</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is primarily carried away from the cell body by the axon?

    <p>Action potentials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the nervous system is responsible for transmitting sensory information to the CNS?

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

    How does the binding of a neurotransmitter to its receptor affect the postsynaptic cell?

    <p>It allows ions to flow into or out of the cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily characterizes the sympathetic nervous system?

    <p>It readies the body for vigorous activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of dendrites in a neuron?

    <p>To detect and carry signals to the cell body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs across the synapse during neural communication?

    <p>Chemical signals cross to reach receptors on another cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the organization of neural networks?

    <p>They work together to perform complex functions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect do excitatory postsynaptic potentials have on the neuronal membrane?

    <p>They depolarize the membrane.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Biological Psychology

    • Focuses on the physical and chemical changes that cause, and occur in response to, behaviour and mental processes.
    • All behaviour and mental processes are based on biological processes. These processes are influenced by the environment.

    Nervous System

    • A combination of cells enabling the organism to receive information, process it, and respond.
    • The nervous system is made of two types of cells: neurons and glial cells.
      • Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system: nerve cells.
      • Glial cells support and help neurons communicate.

    Neuron Structure

    • Axons: Carry signals from the cell body to other neurons.
    • Dendrites: Receive signals from other axons and carry them to the cell body.
    • Synapses: Tiny gaps between neurons where communication occurs.

    Action Potential

    • An electrochemical change that travels down an axon when a neuron is depolarized.
    • The neuron has "fired."
    • Myelin speeds up the action potential.

    Neuron Membrane

    • The membrane allows some ions to pass through but blocks others.
    • Polarized neuron: The inside is more negatively charged than the outside.
    • Depolarized neuron: The inside is less negatively charged, or even positive.
    • Myelin: A fatty substance that wraps around axons and increases the speed of action potential.
    • Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in the Myelin sheath that allow the action potential to be propagated and regenerated.
    • Refractory Period: A short rest period between action potentials.

    Synapses and Communication

    • Neurotransmitters: Chemicals that assist in the transfer of signals from one neuron to another.
    • Neural Receptors: Specialized cells that detect certain forms of energy and transduce them into nerve cell activity.

    Postsynaptic Potential

    • Change in the membrane potential of a neuron that has received stimulation from another neuron.
    • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP): Depolarizes the neuronal membrane, making the cell more likely to fire an action potential.
    • Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP): Hyperpolarizes the neuronal membrane, making the cell less likely to fire an action potential.

    Nervous System Organisation

    • Neural Networks: Groups of neurons that work together to perform complex functions.
    • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Transmits information between the CNS and the rest of the body.
      • Somatic Nervous System: Transmits sensory information and carries signals to muscles. Contains sensory and motor neurons.
      • Autonomic Nervous System: Carries messages between the CNS and internal organs.
        • Sympathetic Nervous System: Prepares the body for vigorous activity ("fight or flight").
        • Parasympathetic Nervous System: Influences activity related to protection ("rest and digest").

    Central Nervous System (CNS)

    • Spinal Cord: Relays signals from the senses to the brain and sends messages from the brain to the rest of the body.
      • Afferent neurons: Sensory neurons in the spinal cord.
      • Efferent neurons: Motor neurons in the spinal cord.
    • Reflexes: Involuntary, unlearned behaviours directed by the spinal cord.

    Brain

    • Hindbrain: An extension of the spinal cord containing nuclei that control vital functions (breathing, heart rate, etc.).
      • Structures: Medulla oblongata, reticular formation, locus coeruleus, and cerebellum.
    • Midbrain: Relays information from the eyes and ears and controls automatic behaviours.
    • Forebrain: Responsible for complex behaviours and mental life.
      • Structures: Thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, limbic system, cerebral hemispheres, and cerebral cortex.

    Cerebral Cortex

    • The outer surface of the brain.
    • Structures: Sensory cortex, motor cortex, and association cortex.
    • Corpus Callosum: Fibres that connect the right and left cerebral hemispheres, allowing them to communicate.
    • Lateral Dominance (Lateralization): One hemisphere excels at specific functions compared to the other.
    • Neural Plasticity: The ability to create new synapses and change the strength of existing synapses.

    Neurotransmitters

    • Chemicals that facilitate communication between neurons.
    • Examples: acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate.

    Endocrine System

    • A system of glands that communicate with each other via hormones released into the bloodstream.
    • The brain controls hormone secretion.

    Key Points

    • Communication between neurons occurs through neurotransmitters crossing the synapse.
    • The main functions of the nervous system are receiving, processing, and transmitting information.
    • Alzheimer's disease impacts memory due to shrinkage of the hippocampus.
    • The neurotransmitter GABA primarily slows down or inhibits brain activity.
    • Glutamate can cause brain damage during a stroke.
    • The pituitary gland releases ACTH, which triggers the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the bloodstream.

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