Physiological Psychology Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of physiological psychology?

The manipulation of the nervous system in controlled settings (correct)

The effects of drugs on human behavior

The relationship between cognitive processes and the brain

Behavioral deficits due to brain damage

Which division of biopsychology studies the effects of drugs on behavior?

Psychopharmacology (correct)

Cognitive neuroscience

Neuropsychology

Psychophysiology

Which technique is primarily used in psychophysiology to measure brain activity?

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) (correct)

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Positron emission tomography (PET)

What characterizes the research approach of neuropsychology?

Emphasizes case studies and quasi-experimental studies. Signup and view all the answers

Cognitive neuroscience is considered the newest division of biopsychology. What does it focus on?

Neural bases of cognitive processes such as memory and attention Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes psychopharmacology?

It examines how drug effects alter neural activity. Signup and view all the answers

Which division of biopsychology is mainly concerned with the curiosity-driven, basic research?

Physiological psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is a common research method used in psychophysiology?

Scalp EEG recording from human subjects Signup and view all the answers

Which hemisphere of the brain is responsible for controlling movement on the left side of the body?

Right hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

What type of neuron carries sensory information from the body to the brain?

Afferent neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the meninges is the toughest and most rigid?

Dura mater Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the thalamus in the brain?

Processes and transmits sensory information Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is responsible for balance and coordination?

Cerebellum Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain connects the brain to the spinal cord?

Medulla oblongata Signup and view all the answers

What type of section does the sagittal plane create in the brain?

Separates the left hemisphere from the right Signup and view all the answers

Which component is found in the peripheral nervous system?

Afferent nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary role of the hypothalamus?

Temperature regulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the lateral ventricles in the brain?

Contain cerebrospinal fluid Signup and view all the answers

Which system of the nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements?

Somatic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the reticular formation?

Regulate arousal and alertness Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is primarily associated with emotional responses?

Limbic system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the central nervous system?

Peripheral nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of autoreceptors in neurotransmission?

To monitor and regulate neurotransmitter release Signup and view all the answers

What role do antagonists play in neurotransmitter function?

They block or reverse the intended effects of neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

How are neurotransmitters typically deactivated in the synapse?

By enzymatic degradation or reuptake Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about agonists is true?

They enhance neurotransmitter release and effects Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is inhibited by botulinum toxin?

Acetylcholine Signup and view all the answers

What happens to neurotransmitter molecules that leak from their storage vesicles?

They are destroyed by enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What effect does cocaine have on neurotransmitter function?

Blocks the reuptake of dopamine Signup and view all the answers

Curare serves as an antagonist by doing what?

Blocking postsynaptic receptors of acetylcholine Signup and view all the answers

Which precursor is associated with increasing dopamine synthesis?

L-dopa Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism inhibits neurotransmitter release at autoreceptors?

Binding of neurotransmitters to autoreceptors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system?

Stimulates energy production and arousal Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for controlling facial expressions?

Facial (7) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during sympathetic activation in the body?

Heart rate increases and digestion slows Signup and view all the answers

Which lobe of the brain is primarily involved in processing auditory information?

Temporal lobe Signup and view all the answers

The vagus nerve plays a critical role in which part of the nervous system?

Parasympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which brain structure is primarily involved in memory formation?

Hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

What function does the primary motor cortex of the brain perform?

Controls voluntary movements Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the parietal lobe?

Detects touch and body position Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is associated with smell?

Olfactory (1) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of autonomic responses, which of the following occurs when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated?

Stimulates salivation and slows heart rate Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron is primarily responsible for sensory functions?

Afferent neurons Signup and view all the answers

What role does the cingulate cortex play in the brain's functions?

Influences emotional responses and learning Signup and view all the answers

What type of signal do spinal nerves primarily carry?

Sensory and motor signals Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of the occipital lobe?

Processes visual information Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of astrocytes in the central nervous system?

Communicate with and support neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron is typically sensory and characterized by a single axon that extends in two directions?

Unipolar neuron Signup and view all the answers

What role do Schwann cells play in the peripheral nervous system?

Create the myelin sheath around axons Signup and view all the answers

The myelin sheath's primary function is to:

Insulate axons to increase signal speed Signup and view all the answers

What defines a multipolar neuron?

Contains many branch-like extensions Signup and view all the answers

Which structure acts as a relay for impulses coming from the amygdala and hippocampus to the thalamus?

Mammillary body Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the axon hillock during an action potential?

Sodium channels open when threshold is reached Signup and view all the answers

In which part of the nervous system do oligodendrocytes perform myelination?

Brain and spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

What happens to potassium ions during an action potential?

They are pumped out of the neuron after sodium influx. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes saltatory conduction?

Jumping of action potentials between nodes of Ranvier Signup and view all the answers

What role do satellite cells play in the peripheral nervous system?

They provide structural and metabolic support. Signup and view all the answers

How are neurotransmitters processed in the neuron?

They bind to receptors on the cell body after synaptic release. Signup and view all the answers

Which ion is in greater concentration outside the neuron at resting potential?

Sodium Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Basis of Behavior

Examines the connection between psychological processes and physiological events.
Studies the brain's function and the nervous system's role in behavior.

Divisions of Biopsychology

Physiological Psychology
- Investigates direct nervous system manipulation in lab settings.
- Often uses lab animals for research.
- Focuses on basic research to test hypotheses through invasive methods.
Psychopharmacology
- Studies the effects of drugs on behavior and neural activity.
- Can involve both basic and applied research, including drug abuse implications.
Neuropsychology
- Focuses on behavioral deficits caused by human brain damage.
- Primarily uses case studies and applied research for diagnosis and treatment.
Psychophysiology
- Examines the relationship between physiological processes and psychological states.
- Utilizes noninvasive techniques like EEG for measuring brain activity.
Cognitive Neuroscience
- Investigates neural bases for cognitive processes such as memory and attention.
- Involves functional brain imaging and collaboration between diverse researchers.

Brain Cutting Planes

Horizontal Plane: Parallel to the ground, splits the brain into upper and lower halves.
Transverse Plane: Divides the brain from front to back; cuts spinal cord as well.
Sagittal Plane: Separates left and right hemispheres.

Nervous System Overview

Comprised of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
CNS includes the brain, meninges, ventricles, and spinal cord.

Central Nervous System Structures

Forebrain:
- Telencephalon: Contains the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic system.
- Diencephalon:
  - Thalamus: Sensory information relay and consciousness regulation.
  - Hypothalamus: Regulates essential body functions and maintains homeostasis.
Midbrain (Mesencephalon):
- Includes tectum (visual/auditory relays) and tegmentum (arousal and reward systems).
Hindbrain:
- Metencephalon: Comprises the cerebellum (coordination and motor learning) and pons (sleep/waking).
- Myelencephalon: Includes the medulla oblongata, which controls respiration and circulation.

Spinal Cord Structure

Comprised of dorsal and ventral roots:
- Dorsal Root: Carries sensory information; contains dorsal ganglion.
- Ventral Root: Transmits motor impulses from the brain.

Meninges

Three protective layers:
- Dura Mater: Tough outer layer providing protection.
- Arachnoid Membrane: Middle layer with cerebrospinal fluid for impact absorption.
- Pia Mater: Thin inner layer that wraps around the brain and spinal cord.

Ventricles

Filled with cerebrospinal fluid, providing cushioning and preventing brain collapse.
Four main ventricles: lateral, third, cerebral aqueduct, and fourth.

Peripheral Nervous System Components

Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements via afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) nerves.
Autonomic Nervous System: Manages involuntary functions; includes sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) systems.

Cranial Nerves (12 Pairs)

Efferent (motor) functions include ocular and facial movement, swallowing, and speech.
Afferent (sensory) functions involve smell, vision, and hearing.
The Vagus Nerve is important for autonomic control of heart, lungs, and digestive tract.

Brain Lobes

Frontal Lobe: Executive functions, planning, voluntary movements.
Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory information regarding touch and body awareness.
Temporal Lobe: Auditory processing and aspects of language.
Occipital Lobe: Visual processing and interpretation.

Major Limbic System Structures

Amygdala: Emotional processing and memory retrieval.
Hippocampus: Crucial for forming and recalling memories; spatial navigation.
Cingulate Cortex: Emotion processing, learning, and memory influence on autonomic functions.### Brain Structures and Functions
Fornix: Major output tract of the hippocampus; connects to other brain regions like the mamillary bodies and septal nuclei; crucial for limbic system communication.
Septum: Involved in reward and reinforcement; processes pleasure feelings; links to hippocampus and hypothalamus.
Hypothalamus: Key regulatory center for various bodily functions.
Mammillary Body: Functions in recollective memory; relays impulses from the amygdala and hippocampus to the thalamus.

Nervous System Cells and Structures

Astrocytes: Star-like glial cells in the CNS; support multiple neurons, regulate extracellular potassium levels, and manage nutrient transfer from blood to neurons.
Satellite Cells: Surround neuron cell bodies in the PNS; provide structural and metabolic support similar to astrocytes.
Axon: Transmits electrical signals; in unipolar neurons, splits into two branches for sensory information to the spinal cord and peripheral tissues.

Myelination

Schwann Cells: Myelinate axons in the PNS, enhancing impulse speed through insulation; involve nodes of Ranvier for saltatory conduction.
Oligodendrocytes: Similar to Schwann cells but can myelinate multiple axons in the CNS.

Neuron Types

Unipolar Neuron: Typically sensory; body comes off the neuron itself.
Bipolar Neuron: Rare; has two axons, found in the retina and ear, involved in sensory processes.
Multipolar Neuron: Most numerous; may have sensory functions; involved in efferent signalling.
Multipolar Interneuron: Connects neurons in the CNS; regulates reflexes and facilitates communication.

Neuronal Structure

Cell Body (Soma): Houses the nucleus, metabolic center, and organelles; integrates signals.
Dendrites: Receive signals from other neurons; large surface area for input.
Myelin Sheath: Insulates axons, increases signal speed through saltatory conduction.
Axon Hillock: Initiates action potentials by responding to changes in membrane potential.

Action Potential Mechanism

Resting Potential: Inside of the neuron is slightly negative (-70 mV); sodium outside, potassium inside.
Threshold of Excitation: When potential reaches about -55 mV, sodium channels open.
Action Potential: Depolarization occurs with the influx of sodium; propagated along the axon.

Neurotransmitter Release Process

Synthesis and Storage: Neurotransmitters are synthesized and stored in vesicles.
Release Mechanism: Action potentials cause vesicles to fuse with presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse.
Binding and Deactivation: Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on postsynaptic cells; then deactivated by reuptake or enzymatic breakdown.

Drug Effects on Neurotransmission

Antagonists: Block neurotransmitter functions (e.g., botulinum toxin inhibits acetylcholine release).
Agonists: Enhance neurotransmitter functions (e.g., cocaine increases dopamine levels by blocking reuptake).

Key Mechanisms

Autoreceptors: Monitor neurotransmitter release; regulate synthesis based on demand.
Ionic Balance: Sodium and potassium channels manage the resting and action potentials; homeostasis maintained through transport mechanisms.

Summary of Neurotransmitter Mechanics

The process involves synthesis, storage, release, binding to receptors, and eventual deactivation, detailing the dynamic and adaptive nature of neurotransmission in the nervous system.

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Description

Test your knowledge on physiological psychology with this quiz. Explore key concepts such as the effects of drugs on behavior, psychophysiological techniques, and the research approaches in neuropsychology. Perfect for students and enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of biopsychology.