Biological Psychology and Nervous System
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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of biological psychology?

  • The effects of culture on psychological phenomena
  • The physical and chemical changes that affect behavior and mental processes (correct)
  • The examination of mental disorders and their treatments
  • The influence of social factors on behavior

    • Which component of the nervous system is responsible for receiving information?

  • Myelin
  • Axons
  • Synapses
  • Dendrites (correct)

    • What role do glial cells play in the nervous system?

  • They generate action potentials
  • They transmit signals between neurons
  • They protect the brain from pathogens
  • They hold neurons together and aid in communication (correct)

    • What occurs during the action potential of a neuron?

    <p>An abrupt wave of changes travels down the axon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about myelin is true?

    <p>It increases the speed of action potential by insulating axons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are nodes of Ranvier?

    <p>Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate action potential propagation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when a neuron is depolarized?

    <p>The inside becomes less negative or even positive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary unit of the nervous system?

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

    What is the primary role of the cerebellum?

    <p>Controls fine movements and coordinates cognitive processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with memory and movement?

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

    What function does the corpus callosum serve in the brain?

    <p>Transfers information between the two cerebral hemispheres</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitter is commonly associated with mood regulation and is linked to depression when dysfunctional?

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

    What role does the hypothalamus play in the endocrine system?

    <p>Regulates hunger, thirst, and sex drive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which brain structure is responsible for initiating smooth movements?

    <p>Substantia nigra</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition is associated with an imbalance of serotonin?

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

    What is the primary role of endorphins in the body?

    <p>Moderate pain by binding to opiate receptors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main types of cells in the nervous system?

    <p>Neurons and glial cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone does the pituitary gland release to stimulate the adrenal glands?

    <p>Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What function does the autonomic nervous system primarily serve?

    <p>Carries messages between the central nervous system and organs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of GABA in the brain?

    <p>It inhibits or slows brain activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the brainstem function in relation to the brain?

    <p>It is the oldest part of the brain responsible for basic life functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?

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

    What happens during an excitatory postsynaptic potential?

    <p>The neuronal membrane depolarizes, increasing the likelihood of firing an action potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure carries signals away from the cell body?

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

    What is the effect of an inhibitory postsynaptic potential on a neuron?

    <p>It makes the neuronal membrane slightly more polarized.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the nervous system transmits information from the senses to the CNS?

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

    What is the primary function of the axon in a neuron?

    <p>To transmit action potentials to other neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What initiates a postsynaptic potential in the dendrite?

    <p>The binding of neurotransmitters to receptors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?

    <p>To prepare the body for vigorous activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is characterized by a short rest period between action potentials?

    <p>Refractory period</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for involuntary, unlearned behaviors?

    <p>Spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes neural networks that operate together to perform complex functions?

    <p>Neural circuits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What function does the reticular formation primarily serve?

    <p>Involvement in arousal and attention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is auditory information processed in the brain?

    <p>Temporal lobe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is primarily involved in the formation of new memories?

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

    What role does the hypothalamus play in the brain?

    <p>Regulating hunger, thirst, and sex drive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the cerebral cortex is specifically associated with voluntary movements?

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

    What is the primary function of the corpus callosum?

    <p>Connecting the right and left hemispheres</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is part of the hindbrain and controls blood pressure and heart rate?

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

    What does lateral dominance (lateralization) refer to?

    <p>The preference for one hemisphere to excel at a function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is involved in fear and reward learning?

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

    Study Notes

    Biological Psychology

    • Biological psychology is the study of 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.
    • All biological processes are influenced by the environment.

    Nervous System

    • The nervous system is made up of cells that allow an organism to gain information about its internal and external environment and respond appropriately.
    • The nervous system's main functions are to receive, process, and transmit information.

    Neurons

    • Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system and are crucial for communication.
    • Glial cells are the cells in the nervous system that support and help neurons communicate.
    • Neurons have an outer membrane, a cell body containing the nucleus, and mitochondria.

    Structure of Neurons

    • Axons are fibers that carry signals from the body of a neuron to other neurons.
    • Dendrites are fibers that receive signals from other neurons' axons and carry them to the cell body.
    • Synapses are tiny gaps between neurons where communication occurs.

    Action Potential

    • An action potential is an abrupt wave of electrochemical changes traveling down an axon.
    • Myelin is a fatty substance that wraps around some axons and speeds up the action potential.
    • Nodes of Ranvier are gaps in the myelin sheath that allow the action potential to regenerate.
    • A refractory period is a brief rest period following an action potential.

    Synapses and Communication

    • Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help transfer signals from one neuron to another.
    • Neural receptors are specialized cells that detect specific forms of energy and convert them into nerve cell activity.

    Postsynaptic Potential

    • When a neurotransmitter binds to its receptor on the postsynaptic cell, it can cause changes in the cell's membrane potential.
    • An excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) depolarizes the membrane, making it more likely to fire an action potential.
    • An inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) hyperpolarizes the membrane, making it less likely to fire an action potential.

    Neurotransmitter Function

    • Acetylcholine plays a role in memory and movement.
    • Norepinephrine relates to mood, sleep, and learning.
    • Serotonin is involved in mood, appetite, and impulsivity.
    • Dopamine is connected to movement and reward.
    • GABA inhibits brain activity.
    • Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory.

    Brain Divisions

    • The hindbrain controls vital functions, arousal, attention, and movement coordination.
    • It includes the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and reticular formation.
    • The midbrain relays sensory signals and creates automatic responses to stimuli.
    • The forebrain is responsible for complex behaviors and mental processes.
    • Major forebrain structures include the amygdala, cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and thalamus.

    Neural Plasticity

    • The brain has the ability to create new synapses and change the strength of existing ones.

    Endocrine System

    • The endocrine system uses hormones to regulate various bodily functions.
    • Hormones provide feedback to the brain and the pituitary gland.
    • The brain controls the secretion of hormones, governing stress responses like "fight or flight."

    Key Concepts

    • Each neuron communicates with others via neurotransmitters crossing the synapse.
    • The somatic nervous system controls voluntary muscle movements, while the autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions.
    • The hippocampus plays a role in memory formation, and its shrinkage can contribute to memory problems like those seen in Alzheimer's disease.
    • GABA is the main neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity.
    • Glutamate can cause brain damage after a stroke.
    • The pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which triggers the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands.

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    Related Documents

    Biological Aspects of Psychology PDF

    Description

    Explore the fundamentals of biological psychology and its connection to the nervous system. This quiz covers the role of neurons, their structure, and how they communicate to influence behavior and mental processes. Test your understanding of these essential concepts in psychology!

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