Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of Physiological Psychology?
What is the definition of Behavior?
A person's actions.
What does Neuroscience study?
The mind and body are described as __________ in the context of the Mind-Brain Problem.
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What are the two philosophical views regarding the relationship between the mind and brain?
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Who emphasized the physical explanation of behavior?
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What is Descartes' Hydraulic Model?
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What is the difference in electrical charge called?
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The resting potential of a neuron is approximately __________.
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Hypertrophy is a decrease in polarization.
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What does Action Potential allow a neuron to do?
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What is the role of Glial Cells?
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______ is when a neuron fires without environmental stimulation.
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What does curare block?
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What is the Central Nervous System (CNS) composed of?
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What does the term 'tract' refer to?
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What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) composed of?
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What is a nerve?
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Which structures are part of the forebrain?
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What is the outer surface of the cerebral hemispheres called?
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What is a gyrus?
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What is a sulcus?
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What are fissures?
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What is gray matter primarily made up of?
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What is white matter?
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What is acetylcholine?
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Study Notes
Physiological Psychology Overview
- Studies the relationship between brain and behavior.
- Explores how physical processes in the brain influence actions.
Neuroscience and Its Aspects
- Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field focused on the nervous system.
- Key aspects include neurology, genetics, chemistry, psychobiology, and contributions from computer science and theoretical physics.
Mind-Brain Problem
- Distinguishes between the nonphysical mind and the physical brain.
- Philosophically supports dualism—mind and brain as separate entities.
Philosophical Views
- Dualism: Mind and brain exist in different realms, with the mind controlling the brain.
- Monism: Mind and brain are one, indicating that mental processes are a result of physical brain functions.
René Descartes Contributions
- Emphasized physical explanations of behavior in the 17th century.
- Proposed that the pineal gland is the "seat of the soul" where the mind interacts with the body.
- Introduced a hydraulic model explaining the nervous system as a plumbing system.
Key Terminology in Genetics
- Gene: Unit of heredity found on chromosomes.
- Chromosomes: Humans possess 46 arranged in 23 pairs.
- DNA: Carries genetic information, structured as a double strand.
Genetic Attributes
- Dominant Genes: Express effects regardless of the pair.
- Recessive Genes: Express effects only when paired with the same recessive gene.
- Heterozygous: Different genes (Rr).
- Homozygous: Identical genes (RR or rr).
- Genotype: Genetic trait; Phenotype: Expressed physical trait.
Neuron Structure and Function
- Neurons are specialized cells transmitting information throughout the body.
- Composed of dendrites, cell body, and axon.
- Approximately 100 billion neurons are present in the human brain.
Types of Neurons
- Motor Neurons: Transmit signals from the brain to muscles.
- Sensory Neurons: Carry sensory information to the brain.
- Interneurons: Connect neurons within the CNS.
Neural Communication
- Synapse: Connection where communication between neurons occurs.
- Presynaptic Neuron: Sends signals, while the Postsynaptic Neuron receives them.
- Chemical signals, including neurotransmitters, are released across synaptic clefts.
Action Potentials and Neural Activity
- Action Potential: Brief reversal of membrane polarization that allows neurons to transmit information quickly.
- Differences in neuron firing rates indicate the strength of stimuli—stronger stimuli lead to faster firing.
Neurotransmitter Modulation
- Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP): Increases likelihood of an action potential; results in partial depolarization.
- Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP): Decreases likelihood of an action potential; leads to hyper-polarization.
Synaptic Modulation Mechanisms
- Presynaptic Excitation: Increases neurotransmitter release.
- Presynaptic Inhibition: Decreases neurotransmitter release.
- Auto-receptors regulate neurotransmitter levels in the synaptic cleft.
Brain Structuring
- Central Nervous System (CNS): Contains the brain and spinal cord.
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Comprises cranial and spinal nerves.
- Forebrain: Houses important structures like the cerebral hemispheres, corpus callosum, thalamus, and hypothalamus.
Cerebral Cortex Features
- The outer layer of the brain is characterized by gyri (ridges) and sulci (grooves), with deep sulci called fissures.
- Gray Matter: Consists primarily of unmyelinated cell bodies.
- White Matter: Features myelinated axon pathways within the brain.
Neurotransmitters
- Acetylcholine: Significantly involved in muscle activation and cognitive functions such as learning.
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Description
This quiz explores the intricate relationship between brain processes and behavior. It delves into the fields of neuroscience, the mind-brain problem, and philosophical views like dualism and monism. Additionally, it highlights contributions from historical figures such as René Descartes.
