Cognitive Neuroscience Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of cognitive neuroscience?

The relationship between brain activity and cognition (correct)

The study of unconsciousness during sleep

The analysis of sleep patterns in different ages

The effects of sleep on memory retention

What are some reasons for the necessity of sleep?

Feeds creative thinking and restores memory (correct)

Contributes to emotional stability

Induces subconscious thought

Enhances athletic performance

What phenomenon occurs as we approach morning according to our circadian rhythm?

Body temperature decreases significantly

Sleep cycles become longer

Mental activity slows down

Body temperature rises and arousal increases (correct)

Which of the following best describes the stages of sleep?

A 90-minute cycling through distinct stages of NREM and REM Signup and view all the answers

How can circadian rhythms be disrupted?

By changes in time zones or irregular sleep habits Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of neurogenesis?

The process of producing new neurons. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about neuroplasticity is accurate?

Neuroplasticity declines with age, making it harder for adults to learn new things. Signup and view all the answers

What does aphasia refer to?

A lack of speech production and/or comprehension due to brain damage. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques is used to view the brain non-invasively?

Electroencephalogram (EEG) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)?

It provides real-time imaging of brain activity based on blood flow. Signup and view all the answers

What region of the brain is mainly responsible for planning and decision making?

Frontal Lobe Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is associated with the production of speech?

Broca’s Area Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory input does the parietal lobe primarily process?

Touch sensations Signup and view all the answers

What problem arises due to damage to Wernicke’s Area?

Difficulty understanding language Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the brain is responsible for processing visual information?

Occipital Lobes Signup and view all the answers

What area of the parietal lobe is associated with written language and number processing?

Angular Gyrus Signup and view all the answers

What neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt throughout life?

Changes in brain connectivity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the auditory cortex?

Involved in auditory information processing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cortisol?

Prepare the body for emergencies Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is mainly responsible for signaling feelings of hunger?

Ghrelin Signup and view all the answers

What type of psychoactive drug generally causes distortions in perception?

Hallucinogens Signup and view all the answers

What defines a substance use disorder?

Reduced social functioning and diminished control over use Signup and view all the answers

Which class of drugs is primarily known to increase relaxation and decrease mood and arousal?

Depressants Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of reuptake inhibitors in drug activity?

They prolong the action of neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is specifically linked to regulating the sleep/wake cycle?

Melatonin Signup and view all the answers

What common effect do stimulants typically produce?

Increase energy and decrease appetite Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the lens in the eye?

To focus images on the retina Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of rods in the retina?

Detect black, white, and gray in low light Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the eye is responsible for the greatest visual acuity?

Fovea Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic defines nearsighted (myopic) individuals' eyes?

They have a longer eyeball. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory explains how we perceive colors using three types of receptors?

Young-Helmholtz Trichromatic Theory Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the blind spot of the eye?

There is an absence of receptor cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of bipolar cells in the retina?

Transport information from rods and cones to ganglion cells Signup and view all the answers

How does the brain perceive color from light waves?

The color is assigned based on the wavelength absorbed by an object. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of acetylcholine (ACh)?

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is most closely linked to sleep and mood regulation?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

What condition is associated with an undersupply of dopamine?

Parkinson's disease Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily an inhibitory neurotransmitter?

GABA Signup and view all the answers

An oversupply of norepinephrine can lead to which of the following conditions?

Anxiety and mania Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is associated with pain transmission?

Substance P Signup and view all the answers

How does the response time of the endocrine system compare to that of the nervous system?

Slower but more lingering Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is involved in concentration and has an oversupply linked to seizures?

Glutamate Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Bases of Behavior

AP Psychology Unit One

Learning Targets

Explain the relationship between heredity and environment in shaping behavior and mental processes.
Differentiate among the subsystems of the human nervous system and their functions.
Explain how the structures and functions of typical neurons in the central nervous system affect behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the basic process of neural transmission is related to behavior and mental processes.
Explain how psychoactive drugs affect behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the structures and functions of the brain apply to behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the sleep/wake cycle affects behavior and mental processes throughout the day and night.
Explain how the process of sensation is related to behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the structures and functions of the visual sensory system relate to behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the structures and functions of the auditory sensory system relate to behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the structures and functions of the chemical sensory systems relate to behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the structures and functions of the touch sensory system relate to behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the structures and functions of the pain sensory system relate to behavior and mental processes.
Explain how the structures and functions that maintain balance (vestibular) and body movement (kinesthetic) relate to behavior and mental processes.

Interaction of Heredity & Environment

Nature vs. Nurture is a significant debate in psychology, questioning whether traits or behaviors are determined by genes and heredity or by environment.
A popular example in psychology is the study of serial killers.

Survival of the Fittest

Behavior geneticists observe the genetic and environmental foundations of human variances.
Evolutionary psychologists investigate what makes humans similar, focusing on Charles Darwin's principles.
Natural selection implies that traits advantageous for survival and reproduction are more likely passed down through generations.
Adaptation is the process by which a species adapts to its environment through natural selection.
Mutation is a random error in gene replication that can lead to changes in genes, driving evolution.

Twin & Adoption Studies

Evolutionary psychologists suggest all human behaviours reflect physical and psychological predispositions that helped human ancestors survive and reproduce.
Identical (monozygotic) twins develop from a single fertilized egg that splits, sharing identical genes.
Fraternal (dizygotic) twins develop from separate fertilized eggs, sharing similar genes as other siblings.
Twin studies provide an effective approach to analyze the nature vs nurture debate.
Identical twins raised in different environments show similarities, indicating the significance of the environment.
Epigenetics is a field of research studying how environmental factors influence gene expression without altering DNA.

The Nervous System

The nervous system is the body's rapid electrochemical communication network, made up of nerve cells called neurons.
Nervous system is divided into smaller systems based on function.
Central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes nerves connecting to the CNS.
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls involuntary functions (heartbeat, digestion).
Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) prepares the body for stress (fight or flight).
Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) calms the body (rest and digest).
Somatic nervous system (SNS) controls voluntary movements. -Afferent nerves: Sensory neurons
Efferent nerves: Motor neurons
Interneurons: Nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that serve as intermediaries between sensory and motor neurons, coordinating information throughout the CNS for processing.

Other Parts of the Nervous System

Reflexes are automatic responses to stimuli, processed primarily by the spinal cord without the direct involvement of the brain. A reflex arc is the path taken by nerve impulses in a reflex.

The Neuron & Neural Firing

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system, each with a specialized structure that facilitates communication: soma, dendrites, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminals
A neuron's electrical activity, from resting potential to action potential to repolarization, is crucial for transmitting signals.
The "all-or-nothing" principle implies that a neuron either fires or doesn't; the intensity of the stimulus determines the frequency of firing.

Exchanging Energy

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry information across the synapses (gaps) between neurons.
Neurotransmitters are released from axon terminals to initiate the transmission of a signal.
They are absorbed/reabsorbed by the axon terminals in a re-uptake process, ending the signal.

Nervous System Disorders

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder.

Excitatory vs. Inhibitory

Excitatory neurotransmitters increase the likelihood of a neuron firing.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse.
Different neurotransmitters play essential roles in various bodily functions, and their malfunctions are linked to various mental health conditions.

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a slow chemical communication network that influences behavior.
Hormones are the chemical messengers in the endocrine system, impacting various functions (e.g., metabolism, growth, and mood).

How do drugs work?

Psychoactive substances affect behavior by altering neurotransmitter activity.
Some drugs act as agonists, mimicking or increasing the effects of neurotransmitters.
Other drugs function as antagonists, blocking the effects of neurotransmitters.

Altering Consciousness

Many psychoactive substances have the ability to alter our perception, mood, and behavior.
Some substances can be used in moderation for medicinal purposes (e.g., pain relief, concentration), but others can lead to addiction.
Addiction is a disorder characterized by compulsive drug use despite significant disruptions in daily life.

Types of Drugs

Classes of psychoactive substances such as Hallucinogens, Depressants, Opiates, and Stimulants have different effects on the body.

Drug Use as a Disorder

Drug use transforms into a disorder when control is lost, functioning declines, and individuals require greater quantities of the substance to achieve the same effects.

The Brain

The brain stem is composed of the medulla and pons, essential for the regulation of vital bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep-wake cycles.
The cerebellum, located at the rear of the brainstem, controls movement and balance.
The thalamus serves as a sensory "switchboard," directing sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.
The amygdala is associated with emotions concerning fear and aggression.
The hippocampus' function is to process and store memories (explicit memory).
The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating various bodily functions (e.g., hunger, thirst, body temperature, and maintaining balance).
The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres of the brain.
The cerebral cortex is the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells, is the body's ultimate control and information processing center
The cerebral cortex is categorized into different lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital) each with specific functions.
The frontal lobe is responsible for higher-level thinking like planning and decision-making.
The parietal lobe processes sensory information like pressure, touch, and temperature.
The temporal lobe is important for auditory processing as well as verbal comprehension.
The occipital lobe is in charge of visual processing.

Neuroplasticity & Neurogenesis

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to continually reorganize and adapt to new experiences, even with brain damage.
Neurogenesis is the creation of new neurons, a brain function that is more active at earlier stages in life.
Aphasia describes the disruption of speech production and/or comprehension due to damage to the brain.

Viewing the Brain

Technologies like EEG, MEG, CT, PET, MRI, and fMRI are utilized to visualize and study the functions of the human brain.

Split Brain Research

Split-brain research, where the corpus callosum is severed in patients with severe epilepsy, reveals neural specialization in the brain.

Sensory Systems

The sense of touch refers to our experience of pressure, warmth, cold, and pain. Sensory receptors in our skin identify these sensations and transmit corresponding signals via the parietal lobe to the brain.
Olfaction, taste, and touch are chemical senses. Sensory receptors detect chemical substances (e.g., odorants in the nose and taste molecules in the mouth) and transmit signals to the brain for processing and interpretation. The olfactory bulb in the brain sends signals to the temporal lobe without using the thalamus.
Pain is a complex experience involving sensory, neurological, psychological, and social/cultural influences.
Vestibular and kinesthetic senses are responsible for body position and movement. Receptors in the inner ear, muscles, and joints provide essential information about equilibrium and movement, which is then interpreted by the cerebellum to create a coordinated response.

Sleep

Sleep is a biological rhythm crucial for survival.
Sleep is characterized by stages, including NREM-1, NREM-2, NREM-3, and REM.

Dreams

Dreams are sequences of images, emotions, and thoughts experienced during sleep.
The theories surrounding dreams cover aspects like wish fulfillment, information processing, activation synthesis, and physiological function.
Memory consolidation is a theory suggesting that sleep is essential for storing memories.
Disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and night terrors, can negativelyimpact people's health.

Sensation

Sensation refers to how our brain receives and represents external stimuli such as pressure, warmth, cold, pain., These stimuli are identified by sensory receptors and the corresponding sensory input is processed by the parietal and frontal lobe via the thalamus.
Perception refers to the interpretation of sensory information.
Sensory receptors in various parts of the body detect different sensations and send corresponding signals to the brain.
Absolute threshold is the minimum amount of stimulus needed for a sense receptor to detect a particular stimulus 50% of the time
Different Threshold is the minimum difference in stimulation between two stimuli required for the brain to recognize a difference.
Sensory Adaptation refers to the brain's ability to adjust sensitivity to constant stimulation.

The Eye

Light enters the eye through the cornea and pupil, focusing through the lens to land on the retina.
The retina contains photoreceptor cells, namely rods and cones. The fovea is the area of the sharpest vision.
Rods are responsible for night vision.
Cones are essential for color vision.

Visual Processing

Processing in the eye: Rods and cones transform light into signals that bipolar cells relay to ganglion cells; axons of the ganglion cells form the optic nerve, sending to the brain.
The optic nerve transmits information to the thalamus, then to the visual cortex.
Color Blindness: People may struggle with seeing certain colours. Some types of colour blindness are genetically caused and people might notice a delay or deficiency in seeing the colour.

Colour Theory

Young-Helmholtz trichromatic theory: The retina contains red, green and blue cones, which, when stimulated together, can create other colours.
Opponent process theory: Neurons in the retina and visual brain areas function in pairs (red-green, blue-yellow, black-white), turning one “on” and the other “off.”

Facial Recognition

The brain's feature detectors in the temporal lobes are specialized cells that respond to particular aspects of stimuli such as angles, edges, and movement
Prosopagnosia, or face blindness, describes a neurological condition in which the ability to recognize faces is impaired.

Hearing Loss, Losing Audition

Sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear's receptor hair cells or the auditory nerves.
Conductive hearing loss results from impairments in the eardrum or middle ear bones.

Theories of Hearing

Place theory argues that sound pitch depends on the specific location on the basilar membrane where vibrations are the highest.
Frequency theory posits that the speed of the basilar membrane vibration relates to pitch perception.
Volley principle details how neurons of the auditory system respond in a staggered manner to manage high frequencies.

Sound Localization

The precise localization of the location of a sound source relies on the time difference in sounds detected between the two ears.

Other Senses

Touch is a vital sense, critical for survival and development, and is processed in the parietal lobe, which interprets pressure, temperature, and pain.
The vestibular sense detects head and body position and balance
The kinesthetic sense monitors the position and movement of our body parts; receptors are found in the muscles and joints.

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Description

Test your knowledge on cognitive neuroscience concepts. This quiz covers topics such as sleep, circadian rhythms, neurogenesis, and brain functions. Answer questions about brain regions, neuroplasticity, and techniques for observing brain activity.