Neuroscience: Neurons and Glial Cells

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Questions and Answers

What process involves the deletion of synapses that are no longer useful when learning new information?

Synaptic Expansion

Synaptic Reinforcement

Synaptic Pruning (correct)

Synaptic Connection

Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for vital body functions like heart rate and respiration?

Hypothalamus

Medulla (correct)

Cerebellum

Pons

What is the primary function associated with the forebrain?

Sensory integration

Motor control

Higher-level processing (correct)

Vital body functions

What is the function of the corpus callosum in the brain?

Connecting the two halves of the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which structure in the hindbrain is important for understanding and creating facial expressions?

Pons Signup and view all the answers

What higher order function is primarily associated with the frontal lobe?

Decision making Signup and view all the answers

What common function is associated with dopamine in the midbrain?

Voluntary movement Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is considered the oldest and responsible for basic life functions?

Hindbrain Signup and view all the answers

What role do dendrites play in the functioning of neurons?

They receive information and convey it to the cell body. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the primary function of glial cells?

They support and protect neurons. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for pleasure and reward?

Dopamine Signup and view all the answers

During which phase will a neuron absolutely not fire again?

Absolute refractory period Signup and view all the answers

What happens to information when the soma decides to send it along the axon?

It travels the entire length of the axon without interruption. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily excitatory?

Glutamate Signup and view all the answers

What do terminal buttons release at the synapse?

Neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

What is a major function of the myelin sheath?

To speed up transmission of neural signals. Signup and view all the answers

Which ion movement describes the action potential process in a neuron?

Positive ions move into the neuron. Signup and view all the answers

What neurotransmitter is important for controlling negative emotions and regulating sleep?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

What type of control is defined by perception of having the ability to influence decisions in stressful situations?

Decisional control Signup and view all the answers

Which coping strategy involves directly addressing the source of stress?

Problem-Focused coping Signup and view all the answers

What is the positive impact of social support on health described as?

Direct effect hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is linked to longer lifespans as stated in the content?

Financial stability Signup and view all the answers

How does self-control influence longevity according to the content?

It promotes consistent engagement in healthy behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a positive trait that can enhance life satisfaction?

Creativity Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the concept of explanatory style?

It emphasizes that a positive outlook can positively influence longevity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of being part of a social support network?

Increased stress Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the somatosensory cortex?

Touch processing Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is critical for memory?

Hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'homunculus' refer to in the context of the motor cortex?

An artistic representation of body part proportions Signup and view all the answers

Which imaging technique is primarily used to visualize brain activity?

fMRI Signup and view all the answers

The theory that describes our perception of sounds based on the timing of hair cell firing is known as:

Frequency Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the thalamus in sensory processing?

To process and relay sensory information to other areas of the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stress involves competing motivations and decision-making?

Conflict Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the auditory nerve in the hearing process?

To transmit auditory information to the brain Signup and view all the answers

What physiological function is primarily regulated by the hypothalamus?

Basic survival functions Signup and view all the answers

What is Weber's Law in the context of psychophysics?

The principle that the just noticeable difference is proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is involved in language comprehension?

Wernicke's Area Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of transduction refer to?

The transformation of environmental stimuli into neural signals Signup and view all the answers

Which system primarily controls involuntary bodily functions?

Autonomic Nervous System Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the discomfort of perceiving pain in a limb that has been amputated?

Phantom limb pain Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

NEURONS

Neurons are cells in the nervous system, responsible for communication.
All thoughts and actions begin with neurons.
Dendrites receive information, cell bodies process it, and axons transmit it.
Myelin sheaths speed up transmission.
Terminal buttons release information to other neurons.
Synapses are gaps between neurons.

GLIAL CELLS

Glial cells support neuronal communication.
They provide structure for neurons.
They supply nutrients.
They create myelin for insulation.
They repair damaged neurons.
They remove waste products.
They create the blood-brain barrier.

NEURONS FUNCTIONS

Sensory neurons transmit information from sensory organs to the brain.
Motor neurons transmit information from the brain to the body to control movement.
Interneurons connect neurons to each other.
Mirror neurons allow for understanding of other people's emotions and actions.

INFORMATION TRANSMISSION

Electrical signals travel within neurons.
Chemical signals transmit between neurons.
Action potentials cause changes in electrical charge.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers.
Agonists enhance neurotransmitter effects, while antagonists reduce them.
Key neurotransmitters include dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, endorphins, GABA, and glutamate.
Electrochemical signals pass through the neuron in specific order.
Neurotransmitters are either degraded by enzymes or reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron.

THE BRAIN

The brain is the center of the nervous system.
Intelligence is correlated with brain surface area, not size.
The brain evolved with newer parts on top of older parts.
Each half of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.
The brain has different parts responsible for specific functions.
Hindbrain: control of basic life functions.
Midbrain: responsible for movement, orientation, and processing sensory information.
Forebrain: highest level of function, including areas like the cerebral cortex.

BRAIN LOBES

Frontal Lobe: higher-order thinking, decision-making.
Parietal Lobe: receiving and processing sensory information.
Occipital Lobe: processing visual information.
Temporal Lobe: processing auditory and language information.

SUBCORTICAL STRUCTURES

Thalamus: relay station for sensory information.
Limbic System: involved in emotions and memory.

BRAIN IMAGING TECHNIQUES

MRI: structural imaging.
DTI: tracks white matter pathways in brain.
NIRS: measures brain activity.
EEG: records electrical brain activity.
ERP: analyzes event-related potentials in EEG data.
fMRI: measures blood flow changes related to brain activity.
PET: measures glucose metabolism in brain to visualize activity.
TMS: uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain areas.

SENSATION AND PERCEPTION

Sensation is the interaction of the environment and sensory organs, leading to perception within the brain.
Perception occurs through transduction and sensory information sent to the brain.
Psychophysics is the study of sensation and perception.
Noticeable differences (JND) are minimal changes that can be perceived.
Weber's law states that the JND is a constant proportion of the stimulus.
Absolute threshold is the smallest stimulus needed to be perceived.
Signal detection theory considers factors that influence the recognition of a stimulus.

SENSORY SYSTEMS (SOUND)

Sound waves are physical stimuli for hearing.
Frequency determines pitch, and amplitude determines loudness.
Sound waves travel through the outer, middle, and inner ear.
Inner ear: Cochlea, hair cells, basilar membrane.
Sound waves vibrate structures leading to a neural impulse.
Place Theory: different areas of the basilar membrane respond to different frequencies of sound.

SENSORY SYSTEMS (TOUCH, SKIN)

Skin senses: touch, pressure, pain, temperature.
Pain involves A-delta and C fibers.
Referred pain has sensations from internal organs on surface.
Phantom limb pain is perceived sensation from missing limb.

SENSORY SYSTEMS (SMELL AND TASTE)

Smell (olfactory): unique system, directly to the brain.
Taste (gustatory): uses taste receptor cells through the thalamus.
Taste sensations include sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

STRESS

Stress: response to events we perceive as challenging.
Different theories explain stress, including stress as stimuli, response, and transaction.
Stressors are categorized as frustrating, conflict-related, pressure-related, or catastrophic.
Personality traits like type A and B can affect stress response.

COPING

Coping mechanisms involve thoughts, behaviors to manage stress.
Problem-focused coping is focusing on the stressful stimuli.
Emotion-focused coping addresses emotional response to stress.
Positive psychology views the positive aspects of emotions and experiences, as well as the promotion of positive traits and institutions.

IMMUNE RESPONSE

Stress can affect the immune system, affecting how well the body heals.

LONGEVITY

Factors like money, locus of control, self-control, and personality style can impact longevity.

OTHER

Homunculus: representation of the body in the brain.
Gestalt psychology describes the perceptual organization principles.

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Description

This quiz explores the essential components of the nervous system, focusing on neurons and glial cells. It covers their structures, functions, and the processes involved in information transmission. Test your knowledge on how neurons communicate and the vital support provided by glial cells.