Biological Psychology Chapter 5
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Questions and Answers

What is one reason biological psychologists study animals in research?

  • Animal behavior is not relevant to human behavior.
  • Legal restrictions allow animal studies without ethical guidelines.
  • Only humans display complex behaviors.
  • Mechanisms of behavior are similar across species. (correct)

Which statement best describes the 'minimalist' approach to animal research?

  • It promotes research without any ethical considerations.
  • It focuses on reduction, replacement, and refinement of animal use. (correct)
  • It suggests that animal research is irrelevant to human studies.
  • It advocates for the complete elimination of animal research.

What should be understood about the structural components of a neuron?

  • The structure of neurons is crucial for their function within the nervous system. (correct)
  • Neurons solely transmit electrical signals without supporting functions.
  • Neurons are anatomically identical to other body cells.
  • Neurons do not consist of different structural components.

Which of the following is NOT a main division of the nervous system?

<p>Endocrine nervous system (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function is primarily associated with the structures of the brain?

<p>Mediating experiences and behaviors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sensory neurons?

<p>Conduct impulses from receptors to the central nervous system (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of glial cell helps synchronize the activity of axons?

<p>Astrocytes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is grey matter primarily composed of?

<p>Cell bodies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of microglia?

<p>Supports neural connections (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structure in the nervous system is responsible for reflex actions?

<p>Spinal Cord (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells have in common?

<p>They build the myelin sheath (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During embryonic development, which glial cells are primarily involved in guiding neuron migration?

<p>Radial glia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the nervous system carries signals to and from the brain?

<p>Central Nervous System (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?

<p>To bring information into the neuron (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do myelin sheaths play in neuronal function?

<p>They allow electrical impulses to travel more rapidly (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an axon from a dendrite?

<p>Axons generally have myelin insulation, while dendrites do not (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What part of the neuron releases neurotransmitters?

<p>Presynaptic terminals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron conducts impulses from the central nervous system to muscles?

<p>Motor neuron (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons?

<p>Presynaptic neurons release neurotransmitters, while postsynaptic neurons contain receptors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of dendritic spines?

<p>They increase the surface area of dendrites (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are nodes of Ranvier responsible for?

<p>They facilitate rapid impulse transmission along the axon (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do neurons have varying shapes?

<p>To establish unique connections with other neurons (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes motor neurons compared to other neurons?

<p>They can conduct impulses longer distances, up to one meter (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which system is responsible for voluntary movements?

<p>Somatic Nervous System (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Autonomic Nervous System?

<p>To regulate automatic body functions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Sympathetic Nervous System is true?

<p>It increases heart rate and blood pressure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which subsystem of the Autonomic Nervous System is responsible for 'rest and digest' activities?

<p>Parasympathetic Nervous System (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nerves does the Somatic Nervous System primarily involve?

<p>Nerves that convey sensory information (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the nature of the Somatic Nervous System?

<p>Voluntary and conscious control (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Sympathetic Nervous System affect the body?

<p>It prepares the body for heightened physical activity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily regulated by the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

<p>Acetylcholine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the abducens nerve?

<p>Control of eye movements (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary components of the Central Nervous System?

<p>Brain and Spinal Cord (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structure in the hindbrain is important for regulating motor movement and balance?

<p>Cerebellum (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the spinal cord is responsible for sending out motor commands?

<p>Ventral root (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the superior colliculi in the midbrain?

<p>Visual reflex function (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for sensations from the throat and salivation?

<p>Glossopharyngeal nerve (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of spinal nerves does the spine contain?

<p>31 pairs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily comprises the white matter in the spinal cord?

<p>Myelinated axons (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the midbrain is responsible for processing auditory information?

<p>Tectum (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three major divisions of the brain?

<p>Hindbrain, Midbrain, and Forebrain (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of sensory nerves connected to the spinal cord?

<p>Carry sensory information to the brain (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the spinal cord is cut, what happens to sensation and motor control?

<p>They are lost from that segment and below (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is located in the center of the spinal cord?

<p>Gray Matter (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Neuron structure

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system.

Nervous system divisions

The nervous system is organized into different parts with specific functions.

Animal research

Using animals in research to understand human behavior.

Minimalist approach

A view about animal research that focuses on reducing, replacing, or refining animal use in research.

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Abolitionist approach

A view that argues for ending all animal research.

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Sensory Neuron

A type of neuron that carries signals from sensory organs to the central nervous system.

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Glia Cells

Support cells in the nervous system that provide various functions including chemical exchange with neurons, waste removal, and myelin sheath formation.

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Astrocytes

A type of glial cell that helps synchronize the activity of neurons by wrapping around their terminals and taking up chemicals.

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Microglia

Glial cells responsible for removing waste material and harmful microorganisms from the nervous system.

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Oligodendrocytes & Schwann Cells

Glial cells that produce the myelin sheath, a fatty covering that insulates axons, speeding up signal transmission.

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Radial Glia

Glial cells that guide the migration of neurons and the growth of their axons and dendrites during development.

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Grey Matter

Areas in the brain and spinal cord composed primarily of neuron cell bodies, responsible for processing information.

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White Matter

Areas composed primarily of myelinated axons, responsible for transmitting signals between different parts of the brain and spinal cord.

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Dendrites

Branching fibers that receive signals from other neurons.

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Axons

Thin fibers that transmit signals away from the cell body.

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Myelin Sheath

Insulating material that speeds up signal transmission in axons.

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Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath along the axon.

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Presynaptic Terminals

Endpoints of axons where neurotransmitters are released.

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Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that carry signals across the synaptic gap between neurons.

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Synaptic Gap

The space between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

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Motor Neuron

Neuron that carries signals from the central nervous system to muscles or glands.

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Interneuron

Connects sensory and motor neurons within the central nervous system

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Nervous system

A complex network of cells that carries information throughout the body, regulating everything from sensation to movement.

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Central Nervous System (CNS)

The 'control center' of the nervous system, composed of the brain and spinal cord. It receives, processes, and sends information to the body.

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Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The network of nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body, relaying information between them.

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Somatic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements, like walking or writing.

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Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that regulates unconscious bodily functions, like breathing and digestion.

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Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the ANS that prepares the body for action ('fight or flight'), increasing heart rate, breathing, etc.

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Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the ANS that slows down the body ('rest and digest'), calming heart rate, promoting relaxation, etc.

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What are the two main subsystems of the PNS?

The PNS consists of the Somatic Nervous System, which controls voluntary movement, and the Autonomic Nervous System, which regulates unconscious bodily functions.

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Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic

These two branches of the autonomic nervous system work in opposition, maintaining a balanced internal state. The sympathetic system prepares the body for action ('fight-or-flight'), while the parasympathetic system promotes calming ('rest-and-digest').

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What does the spinal cord do?

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body. It receives sensory information from the body and sends motor commands to muscles, allowing for movement and coordination.

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Grey matter vs. White matter

Grey matter is found in the center of the spinal cord and contains nerve cell bodies and dendrites, while white matter is on the outside and consists mostly of myelinated axons that carry information.

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What are spinal nerves?

Spinal nerves extend from each segment of the spinal cord and carry both sensory and motor information. Motor information travels through ventral roots, while sensory information travels through dorsal roots.

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Brain Divisions

The brain is divided into three main parts: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain. Each section controls different vital functions and processes.

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What is the Hindbrain?

The hindbrain is responsible for basic survival functions like breathing, heart rate, and balance. It includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

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Medulla

Part of the hindbrain, the medulla controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

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What does the Pons control?

The Pons is involved in controlling several cranial nerves, along with the medulla, it contains structures vital for increasing arousal and readiness to respond to stimuli in the brain.

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Function of the Cerebellum?

The Cerebellum is involved in regulating motor movement, balance, coordination and shifting attention between auditory and visual stimuli.

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What are the superior and inferior colliculi?

The superior and inferior colliculi are located in the tectum of the midbrain. The superior colliculi are responsible for visual reflexes, while the inferior colliculi handle auditory reflexes.

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What is the Tegmentum?

The Tegmentum is the intermediate level of the midbrain. It contains nuclei for cranial nerves (III and IV) that control eye movement and other functions.

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What are the functions of the midbrain?

The midbrain is a crucial part of the brain involved in processing sensory information, visual and auditory reflexes, and controlling eye movements. It consists of two main structures: the tectum and the tegmentum.

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Study Notes

Biological Psychology - Week 9: Nervous System Anatomy and Function

  • Learning Outcomes:
    • Identify key structural components of a neuron.
    • Describe the organization and main divisions of the nervous system.
    • Label the main brain structures and describe their functions.

Today's Lecture Outline

  • Understand nervous system (NS) function by studying its anatomy.
  • Cover the structure of neurons.
  • Study the gross anatomy of the nervous system.
  • Learn about brain structural components.

The Use of Animals in Research

  • Biological psychologists and neuroscientists study animals due to:
    • Similarities in behavioral mechanisms across species (often easier to study in non-human species).
    • Evolutionary insights into human development.
    • Ethical/legal restrictions on human research.
  • Degrees of opposition to animal research:
    • Minimalist: reduction, replacement, refinement of animal use.
    • Abolitionist: Advocates for ending animal research entirely.

The Cells of the Nervous System

  • The human nervous system comprises two cell types:
    • Neurons: Specialized cells for receiving, integrating, and transmitting information to other cells.
    • Glia: Supporting cells, numerous than neurons (50x more).
  • The human brain contains approximately 100 billion neurons.
  • Neuron function relies on communication between neurons.
  • "Sum more than the parts" – Individual neuron not efficient, combined function effectively.
  • "Chain reaction" – Information transmission from neuron to neuron without signal loss.

Santiago Ramon y Cajal (1852-1934)

  • Early researcher on cell structure.
  • Detailed drawings of nerve cells – Showing they are separate rather than merging.

Neuron Structure

  • Cell body (soma): Contains nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, metabolic work center.
  • Dendrites: Branching fibers, receive information, often with dendritic spines to enhance surface area.
  • Axon: Thin fiber that transmits nerve impulses towards other neurons, organs, or muscles.
    • Can be afferent (incoming) or efferent(outgoing).
    • Often myelinated with interruptions (nodes of Ranvier) for rapid signal transmission.
  • Myelin Sheaths and Nodes of Ranvier: Help with rapid and efficient signal transmission.
  • Presynaptic terminals: End points of an axon where chemicals used for communication are released.

Neuron Communication

  • Neurons communicate across a synaptic gap.

  • Neurotransmitters are released from presynaptic terminals in vesicles, travel across the gap, and attach to postsynaptic receptors.

  • Neurons vary in size, shape, and function.

  • Shape relates to function and connections within the nervous system.

Neuron Types

  • Motor neuron: Conducts impulses from the CNS to muscles or glands. Its soma is in the spinal cord, receiving excitation from other neurons and transmitting impulses to muscle fibers.

  • Sensory neuron: Conducts impulses from receptors of sense organs to the CNS. Specialized end to receive specific stimuli efficiently.

Nervous System Components

  • Glia ('glue'): Support cells with various functions:
    • Astrocytes: Synchronize axon activity by removing chemicals; supporting neurons.
    • Microglia: Remove waste material, viruses, and other harmful substances.
    • Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells: Build myelin sheath around axons.
    • Radial glia: Guide neuron and axon migration, growth during development.

Grey vs. White Matter

  • Grey matter: Cell bodies.
  • White matter: Myelinated axons.

Nervous System Organization

  • Central Nervous System (CNS):

    • Brain
    • Spinal cord

  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS):

    • Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements.
    • Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary functions (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure,digestion).
      • Sympathetic Nervous System: Response to stress and danger (increase heart rate, breathing,etc).
      • Parasympathetic Nervous System: Response to relaxation (rest and digest response).

Brain Divisions

  • Hindbrain: Controls basic bodily functions.
    • Medulla: Vital reflexes (breathing, heartbeat, vomiting).
    • Pons: Connects the medulla and cerebellum to other brain areas; also involved in sleep and arousal.
    • Cerebellum: Regulates motor movement, balance, and coordination.
  • Midbrain: Coordinates sensory information and controls some eye movements.
    • Tectum ("roof"): Receives sensory information, particularly visual and auditory.
    • Tegmentum ("floor"): Contains nuclei for cranial nerves (III and IV), part of the reticular formation.
  • Forebrain: Highest level of the brain for complex functioning.
    • Cerebral Cortex: Outer portion of the brain, receives sensory information and sends out motor commands, divided into lobes.
    • Limbic system: Structures associated with emotions, drives, and memory.
      • Olfactory bulb: Processes smell.
      • Hypothalamus: Regulation of hormones and motivations (eating, drinking, sexual behavior, activity levels).
      • Hippocampus: Memory formation.
      • Amygdala: Emotion, particularly fear and aggression.
      • Cingulate gyrus: Linked with emotion, cognition, and memory.
    • Thalamus: Sensory relay station.
    • Pituitary gland: Pea-sized gland regulates hormone release.
    • Basal Ganglia: Motor planning and learning.

Cranial nerves:

  • Part of the PNS, relaying sensory and motor information between the brain and the head.

Ventricles

  • Fluid-filled spaces in the brain.
  • Filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): Cushion and support the brain and provide hormones and nutrients.

Important Issues to Consider

  • A key point to consider is the study of animal models to study human behavior in a more controlled manner.
  • The different parts within the brain have varying levels of responsibility in relation to the nervous system.

Next Week Topic

  • Neural Development and Plasticity

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This quiz assesses your understanding of key concepts in Biological Psychology, particularly concerning the nervous system and its components. Explore topics such as neuron structure, functions of glial cells, and the roles of sensory neurons in this engaging quiz.

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