Nervous System and Behavior Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

Processing visual information

Controlling voluntary muscle movement (correct)

Regulating involuntary organ functions

Recognizing sound quality

Which lobe of the brain is responsible for the recognition of forms and colors?

Frontal lobe

Parietal lobe

Temporal lobe

Occipital lobe (correct)

Which autonomic nervous system division is associated with the body's 'rest-and-digest' activities?

Parasympathetic nervous system (correct)

Autonomic nervous system

Central nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system

What is the general action of the sympathetic nervous system?

Mobilizing the body for 'fight-or-flight' Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following functions is NOT associated with the parietal lobe?

Recognizing sound pitch Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?

To receive impulses and carry them towards the cell body Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for conducting impulses away from the cell body?

Axon Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the myelin sheath in a neuron?

To act as an insulator and aid in impulse conduction Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding the cell body (soma) is correct?

It serves as the tropic center for nourishment Signup and view all the answers

How does the nervous system respond when a person faces a stressful stimulus?

It initiates involuntary responses controlled by the nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What role do neurotransmitters play in the nervous system?

They transmit nerve impulses between neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a deficiency in acetylcholine have on learning?

It disrupts learning and memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of excessive norepinephrine levels?

Hyperactivity. Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is associated with an undersupply of dopamine?

Parkinson's disease. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a lack of serotonin have on sleep?

It produces insomnia. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the effects of GABA in the nervous system?

Decrease nerve activity. Signup and view all the answers

What can an oversupply of dopamine lead to?

Schizophrenic reactions. Signup and view all the answers

How are neurons classified?

According to their function. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is responsible for controlling involuntary muscles such as breathing and heartbeat?

Medulla Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Pons in the brain?

Transmitting motor information and coordinating muscle movement Signup and view all the answers

Which structure of the brain is primarily associated with higher functions of thought and voluntary action?

Forebrain Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the functions of the Cerebellum?

Governs body balance and coordination Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is considered the smallest and least differentiated structure in the brain stem?

Midbrain Signup and view all the answers

Damage to which structure may result in jerky movement and slurred speech?

Cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

What does the brain primarily do in response to sensory stimulation?

Identify, organize, interpret, and respond Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate weight of the human brain?

3 pounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the thalamus?

Interpreting and sorting sensory and motor impulses Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for memory formation?

Hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

The hypothalamus primarily regulates which of the following?

Homeostasis and survival behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the limbic system in the brain?

Regulating instinctive drives and emotional responses Signup and view all the answers

How do the right and left hemispheres of the cerebrum interact?

They connect through a broad bundle of nerve fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Reticular Activating System (RAS)?

To arouse the body for appropriate actions Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is involved in processing emotions such as fear and aggression?

Amygdala Signup and view all the answers

What does the outer layer of the cerebrum refer to?

Cerebral cortex Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sensory neurons?

They transmit stimuli to the brain for interpretation. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes motor neurons?

They relay messages from the brain to muscles and glands. Signup and view all the answers

What role do interneurons play in the nervous system?

They link sensory and motor neurons. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the central nervous system (CNS)?

It consists of the brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the spinal cord?

To conduct nerve impulses between the brain and the body. Signup and view all the answers

Which classification of the nervous system includes cranial and spinal nerves?

Somatic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the autonomic nervous system from the somatic nervous system?

It manages involuntary bodily functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reflex action?

An automatic response to a stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction

Man's behavior is influenced by both psychological and biological factors
Stressful events or emotions trigger involuntary physical responses controlled by the nervous system

Objectives

Students will understand the importance of the nervous system in human behavior.
Students will be able to distinguish the divisions of the nervous system.
Students will be able to discuss the different parts of the brain and their functions.
Students will be able to consider the biological approach to explain behavior.

Neuron

The basic functional and structural unit of the nervous system
Only neurons transmit nerve impulses
Each neuron is a living cell

Neurotransmitters

Chemical substances that play a crucial role in transmitting nerve impulses between neurons at the synapses.
Acetylcholine facilitates learning and memory; its deficiency disrupts learning.
Norepinephrine deficiency can lead to depression; too much causes hyperactivity.
Dopamine is linked to schizophrenia when oversupplied; undersupply causes Parkinson's.
Serotonin deficiency can cause insomnia and decrease anxiety levels.
GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric acid) prevents dreaming and decreases anxiety.

Types of Neurons

Sensory neurons (afferent): carry sensory information to the brain
Motor neurons (efferent): carry motor commands from the brain to muscles and glands
Interneurons: connect sensory and motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord

Division of the Nervous System

Central Nervous System (CNS): composed of the brain and spinal cord.
- The CNS processes information and coordinates bodily functions.
Peripheral Nervous System(PNS): consists of nerves outside the CNS
- Somatic nervous system: involves voluntary actions
- Autonomic nervous system: controls involuntary actions, further subdivided into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

CNS Structures

Spinal Cord- a tube of nerve tissue within the backbone; transmits nerve impulses between the brain and body.
Brain- the organ responsible for higher-level cognitive functions.
- Brain stem: responsible for regulating basic bodily functions
  - Medulla: regulates breathing, heart rate, etc.
  - Pons: facilitates communication within the brain and between the brain and spinal cord.
  - Midbrain: assists in eye movement, hearing and other sensory functions
- Cerebellum: controls coordination, movement, and balance.
- Forebrain: controls higher-level functions such as thought, memory, and emotion.
  - Hypothalamus: important for regulating body temperature, hunger, and thirst
  - Thalamus: acts as a relay station for sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.
  - Limbic system: responsible for emotions, learning, and motivation.
    - Hippocampus - involved in memory
    - Amygdala- involved in emotion.

The 4 Lobes of the Brain

Frontal lobe: responsible for voluntary movement and cognitive functions.
Parietal lobe: receives and processes sensory information from the body.
Occipital lobe: responsible for visual processing.
Temporal lobe: responsible for auditory processing and language comprehension.

Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic division: activates "fight-or-flight" responses
Parasympathetic division: activates "rest-and-digest" responses

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Description

This quiz explores the intricate relationship between the nervous system and human behavior. Students will learn about key concepts such as neurons, neurotransmitters, and the divisions of the nervous system, enhancing their understanding of biological influences on behavior.