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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?
What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?
The all-or-none principle states that a neuron can partially fire.
The all-or-none principle states that a neuron can partially fire.
False
What is the gap between two neurons called?
What is the gap between two neurons called?
synaptic cleft
The main fatty substance that insulates most axons is called __________.
The main fatty substance that insulates most axons is called __________.
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Match the part of the neuron with its function:
Match the part of the neuron with its function:
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What happens to neurotransmitters that are not used in the reaction?
What happens to neurotransmitters that are not used in the reaction?
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Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change and adapt in response to experience.
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change and adapt in response to experience.
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What type of signal can a neuron send to another neuron?
What type of signal can a neuron send to another neuron?
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What is dopamine primarily related to?
What is dopamine primarily related to?
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High levels of serotonin directly cause depression.
High levels of serotonin directly cause depression.
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What is the function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus?
What is the function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus?
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_______ is a hormone related to aggression that is produced in the gonads.
_______ is a hormone related to aggression that is produced in the gonads.
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What is often a treatment option for seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
What is often a treatment option for seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
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Which statement about SSRIs is accurate?
Which statement about SSRIs is accurate?
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Strict localization claims that each brain part has specific functions without overlap.
Strict localization claims that each brain part has specific functions without overlap.
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Melatonin levels rise in bright environments.
Melatonin levels rise in bright environments.
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At what approximate age is the frontal lobe fully mature?
At what approximate age is the frontal lobe fully mature?
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Match the neurotransmitters or hormones with their functions:
Match the neurotransmitters or hormones with their functions:
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Addiction to drugs can cause physical changes in the brain's ________ pathway.
Addiction to drugs can cause physical changes in the brain's ________ pathway.
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The area of the brain primarily responsible for speech is called ______.
The area of the brain primarily responsible for speech is called ______.
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Which statement describes the role of the hippocampus?
Which statement describes the role of the hippocampus?
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Match the following brain regions with their primary function:
Match the following brain regions with their primary function:
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Broca’s aphasia is characterized by the inability to understand language.
Broca’s aphasia is characterized by the inability to understand language.
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Lateralization refers to the idea that each side of the brain has its own ______.
Lateralization refers to the idea that each side of the brain has its own ______.
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Which hemisphere of the brain is primarily responsible for verbal and mathematical skills?
Which hemisphere of the brain is primarily responsible for verbal and mathematical skills?
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Split-brain surgery completely enhances brain function without any side effects.
Split-brain surgery completely enhances brain function without any side effects.
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What is the process called when the brain removes unneeded connections?
What is the process called when the brain removes unneeded connections?
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The hemisphere that controls spatial and creative abilities is the _________ hemisphere.
The hemisphere that controls spatial and creative abilities is the _________ hemisphere.
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Match the imaging technique with its description:
Match the imaging technique with its description:
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What is the name of the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain?
What is the name of the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain?
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Learning to juggle has no impact on brain structure.
Learning to juggle has no impact on brain structure.
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What are the two major types of plasticity mentioned?
What are the two major types of plasticity mentioned?
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What does spatial resolution in brain scans refer to?
What does spatial resolution in brain scans refer to?
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PET scans are completely safe as they do not involve any radiation exposure.
PET scans are completely safe as they do not involve any radiation exposure.
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Which brain regions were found to have abnormalities in Ashtari et al.'s research on teenage marijuana use?
Which brain regions were found to have abnormalities in Ashtari et al.'s research on teenage marijuana use?
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The 5-HTT gene is associated with low levels of ______, which is linked to depression.
The 5-HTT gene is associated with low levels of ______, which is linked to depression.
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What is a noted biological cause associated with Major Depression?
What is a noted biological cause associated with Major Depression?
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Match the following studies with their findings:
Match the following studies with their findings:
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Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) shows a high degree of heritability.
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) shows a high degree of heritability.
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Major depression typically involves a minimum of ______ weeks of uncontrollable sadness.
Major depression typically involves a minimum of ______ weeks of uncontrollable sadness.
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Study Notes
Learning Outcomes
- This unit focuses on brain imaging technologies in investigating the relationship between biological factors and behavior.
- It also includes localization of function in the brain with examples.
- Effects of neurotransmission and functions of two hormones on behavior will be examined.
- Neuroplasticity and its effect on behavior are also discussed.
Neuropsychology
- Evolution and heritability influence actions, but aren't the sole physiological factors.
- Neuropsychology focuses on the brain and nervous system's impact on behavior.
Neurons
- Messages travel through neurons, long, thin cells of nerve tissue.
- Glia cells hold neurons in place, making up 90% of the brain.
- Neurons communicate through electrical signals called action potentials.
- Neural communication follows the all-or-none principle.
Parts of the Neuron
- Cell body: contains the nucleus and energy for the reaction.
- Dendrites: receive messages from other neurons.
- Axon: transmits messages through the neuron; often insulated with myelin containing nodes of Ranvier.
- Axon terminals: send info to other neurons.
Neurotransmission
- There's a gap, called the synaptic cleft, between axon terminals of separate neurons.
- Neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles at the terminal button when the action potential reaches it.
- These neurotransmitters bind to the receptor site of the dendrite of the receiving neuron.
Action Potentials
- Unused neurotransmitters are broken down or reabsorbed by the terminal buttons through a process called reuptake.
- The message can either excite or inhibit the receiving neuron.
Synaptic Activity
- (Diagram shows the parts of the synapse: Mitochondrion, Axon, Receptor site, Synaptic vesicle, and Synaptic gap/Dendrite. Neurotransmitter is indicated.)
Neurotransmitters
- Dopamine: associated with learning, movement, emotion, and pleasure high levels cause euphoria, energy, aggression.
- Drugs overload dopamine pathways.
- Romantic love is associated with dopamine release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA).
- Serotonin: regulates mood, sleep, arousal and appetite, has an indirect effect on depression, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and influenced by sunlight and tryptophan-rich foods.
Agonists vs. Antagonists
- Psychoactive drugs alter brain chemistry.
- Agonists increase neurotransmitter levels.
- Antagonists decrease neurotransmitter levels.
- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are a common example of agonists.
- Crockett et al. (2010) found SSRIs increase prosocial behavior.
Hormones
- Hormones are chemical messages sent through the endocrine system.
- Testosterone is a hormone correlated with aggression, produced in the gonads.
- Men produce considerably more testosterone than women.
- McDermott et al found a correlation between testosterone levels and aggression.
- Circadian rhythms are controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus.
- Melatonin is a hormone that synchronizes the body's biological clock to the light-dark cycle, and high levels are linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
- Dawn simulation is a more effective treatment for SAD than bright-light therapy (Avery et al., 2001).
Localization
- Different brain parts have specific tasks, despite some overlap.
- Strict localization claims each brain part has a specific role.
- Relative localization suggests multiple brain areas contribute to one behavior.
The Frontal Lobe
- The frontal lobe governs decision-making, planning, judgment, and emotion control.
- It's not fully mature until around age 25.
- The frontal lobe coordinates with the limbic system to control emotions.
- Harlow's study of Phineas Gage highlighted the frontal lobe's role.
Broca's Area
- Broca's Area is in the left frontal lobe, controlling speech.
- Aphasia, a language problem, includes loss of speech.
- Broca's area works with other language centers (e.g., Wernicke's area) for language comprehension.
- Broca's study of Tan demonstrated the location of the speech area.
The Hippocampus
- The hippocampus processes memories, not storing them.
- It transfers short-term memory (STM) to long-term memory (LTM).
- Different areas of the hippocampus have different roles, with the posterior part encoding spatial layouts.
- Milner and Scoville studied HM, whose hippocampus was removed.
Parts of the Brain
- (Diagram showing different parts of the brain including Cerebrum, Corpus callosum, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Hippocampus, Brainstem, Spinal cord, Medulla, and Reticular formation (as listed in the image).
The Lobes of the Brain
- (Diagram showing the four lobes of the brain and the brain stem—the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes—as well as the cerebellum.)
Lateralization
- The brain's two hemispheres have unique functions, with the left controlling the right and vice versa.
- The left hemisphere specializes in verbal and mathematical skills, while the right handles spatial and creative skills.
- Hemispheric differences have been oversimplified.
- Split-brain surgery removes the corpus callosum connecting the hemispheres, used to treat severe seizures(Sperry and Gazzaniga, 1968).
Neuroplasticity
- Plasticity is the brain's ability to rearrange neural connections.
- The brain can shift function to different areas after damage.
- Neural networks are systems created by plasticity, often through learning.
- Neural pruning involves removing unneeded brain connections.
- Synaptic plasticity and cortical remapping are two forms of plasticity.
- Rosenzweig and Bennett (1972) studied enriched environments and neural connections in rats.
- Draganski et al. (2004) investigated brain changes associated with juggling.
Brain Imaging
- Imaging techniques reveal brain structure and function.
- CAT scans use x-rays, PET scans radioactive substances, MRI radio frequencies and magnets, and fMRI natural blood oxygen levels.
Evaluation of Brain Scans
- Spatial resolution is the detail in the image, and temporal resolution shows how quickly changes are seen.
- Constraints exist for who can use these – CAT and PET scans and exposure to radiation, MRI and fMRI and metal use..
Research on Brain Imaging
- Harris and Fiske (2006) found reduced medial prefrontal cortex activity when people viewed extreme outgroups.
- Ashtari et al (2009) studied brain development effects in teenagers using marijuana.
Biology and Mental Disorders
- Major depression involves prolonged sadness.
- Depression has a moderate heritability (37%).
- Biological depression links are often associated with low serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
- Caspi et al. (2003) found a serotonin gene link to depression.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) has a relatively high heritability (41%).
- Raine et al. (1997) found less frontal lobe and amygdala activity in murderers pleading insanity.
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Description
Test your knowledge on various aspects of neuroscience, including the functions of neurons, neurotransmitters, and neuroplasticity. This quiz covers key concepts and terminology that are essential for understanding how the brain processes information and adapts to experiences.
