Introduction to Neuroscience Concepts

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What is the primary role of the somatic nervous system?

Prepares the body for rest and digestion

Conveys information between CNS and body (correct)

Regulates hormonal responses during crises

Controls involuntary bodily functions

Which imaging technique uses strong magnetic fields to visualize brain activity?

CT/CAT scan

PET scan

fMRI (correct)

EEG

What is the primary use of a Golgi stain?

To darken neurons and reveal their silhouettes (correct)

To measure brain electrical activity

To assess blood flow in the brain

To visualize brain structures in 3D

Which part of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

How does transduction work in the context of sensation?

It converts external energy into electrical activity within neurons. Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves injecting glucose to measure neural activity?

PET scan Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during sensory adaptation?

An initial response to a stimulus decreases over time. Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered a pioneer in the field of phrenology?

Franz Joseph Gall Signup and view all the answers

What role do interneurons in the spinal cord play in the gate control theory of pain?

They can stop pain signals from reaching the brain. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the process of how odorant molecules are converted into neural impulses?

Through olfactory receptor neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What does heritability indicate about a trait within a specific population?

Variation of the trait is due to genetic factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary limitation of family studies in behavioral genetics?

They fail to separate environmental influences from genetic influences. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred if identical twins show more similarity in a psychological trait than fraternal twins?

The trait is more genetically determined. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of adoption studies, when would a trait be deemed genetic?

If the adoptee is similar to biological parents in specific traits. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of genetic engineering, particularly gene knockout studies?

To observe the effects of removing a specific gene. Signup and view all the answers

What is the challenge known as selective placement in adoption studies?

Adoption agencies placing children in similar environments to their biological ones. Signup and view all the answers

What role do neurotransmitters primarily serve in the nervous system?

Fast communication within the central nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is synaptogenesis?

Formation of new synapses between neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the meninges is closest to the brain?

Pia Mater Signup and view all the answers

What function is primarily associated with the prefrontal cortex?

Thought processes and planning Signup and view all the answers

The thalamus acts as a gateway for:

All sensory information except smell Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the basal ganglia?

Goal-motivated motor control Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the amygdala?

Involvement in fear and emotional responses Signup and view all the answers

What does myelination refer to during neural plasticity?

Growth of myelin sheaths around neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cerebellum?

Smoothing fine motor control Signup and view all the answers

Which principle describes the perception of objects that are close together as a unified whole?

Proximity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the Trichromatic Theory of color vision?

Color vision relies on three primary colors and the activation of specific cones. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a monocular cue for depth perception?

Binocular disparity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of color blindness refers specifically to the inability to perceive some or all colors due to genetic factors?

Genetic color blindness Signup and view all the answers

In auditory perception, what does amplitude refer to?

The loudness of a sound Signup and view all the answers

What principle does Weber's Law illustrate regarding Just Noticeable Difference (JND)?

JND maintains a constant ratio to the original stimulus intensity. Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon allows individuals with blindness to detect and respond to visual stimuli without conscious awareness?

Blindsight Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cochlea in the auditory system?

To transduce sound vibrations into neural impulses Signup and view all the answers

In Signal Detection Theory, what happens when sensitivity to the signal is decreased?

Misses and false alarms occur more often. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes perceptual set?

The influence of prior experiences and expectations on perception. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pain is transmitted by A Delta fibers, recognized for its sudden nature?

Sharp pain Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism allows the brain to reorganize itself following blindness?

Neural plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of visual perception did Hubel and Wiesel's experiment primarily investigate?

The specific orientations required for feature detection in cats. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'perceptual constancy' refer to in perception?

Recognizing stimuli as stable despite changes in environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the phenomenon where incomplete figures are perceived as complete objects?

Closure Signup and view all the answers

What role does top-down processing play in perception?

It is influenced by beliefs and previous experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of feature detection cells in the visual system?

To respond to specific shapes and orientations in visual stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of extrasensory perception allows individuals to predict future events?

Precognition Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of glial cells in the brain?

Provide structural and nutritional support Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with muscle movement and cognitive functions such as attention and memory?

Acetylcholine Signup and view all the answers

What structure conducts information away from the neuron to other neurons?

Axon Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for inhibitory signals in the brain?

GABA Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of synaptic vesicles in the axon terminal?

Store and release neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is associated with the body's fight-or-flight response?

Norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

Which neuron type is responsible for releasing neurotransmitters?

Presynaptic neuron Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the central nervous system (CNS) from the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following neurotransmitters is mainly involved in the regulation of mood and eating behaviors?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

What creates the potential for an electrical charge within a neuron?

The difference in charge between inside and outside the neuron Signup and view all the answers