Psychology Chapter 3: Biological Foundations

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Questions and Answers

What function does the central nervous system (CNS) primarily serve?

Processing information and issuing commands (correct)

Regulating hormonal balance in the body

Transmitting sensory information to the body

Connecting the brain to limbs and organs

Which characteristic of the nervous system describes its connection and teamwork among millions of nerve cells?

Adaptability

Complexity (correct)

Electrochemical transmission

Plasticity

What is the primary role of afferent nerves in the nervous system?

To carry information to the brain (correct)

To transmit pain signals

To regulate emotional responses

To control muscle movements

What term best describes the brain's ability to change physically in response to new experiences?

Plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What system connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body?

Peripheral nervous system Signup and view all the answers

How do nerves in the nervous system chiefly communicate?

Using electrical impulses and chemical messengers Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'integration' imply about the nervous system's functionality?

Each nerve cell connects with many others for a vast network. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of efferent nerves?

They conduct commands from the brain to the body. Signup and view all the answers

What type of scan provides information about brain activity and is often used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease?

PET scan Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating involuntary functions such as breathing and heart rate?

Medulla Signup and view all the answers

Which imaging technique provides a three-dimensional X-ray image to assess brain structure?

CAT scan Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cerebellum?

Coordinating voluntary muscle movement Signup and view all the answers

Which brain imaging technique measures changes in blood oxygen levels to assess both brain structure and activity?

fMRI Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the action potential phase of a neuron?

Potassium ions exit the neuron while sodium ions enter, making it positively charged. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the resting potential of a neuron?

The neuron is polarized with more negative ions inside than outside. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ALL-OR-NOTHING principle in the context of action potential?

Once triggered, the impulse travels down the axon without any decrease in strength. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of neurotransmitters?

To convert electrical signals into chemical signals across synaptic gaps. Signup and view all the answers

What happens after a neuron fires an action potential?

Potassium channels open to allow potassium ions to exit, restoring the negative charge. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the substantia nigra play in the midbrain?

Acts as the main dopamine receptor Signup and view all the answers

Which structure in the limbic system is primarily involved in memory storage?

Hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of the thalamus in the forebrain?

Relay station for sensory information Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the cerebral cortex is involved in language processing and memory?

Temporal lobes Signup and view all the answers

What behaviors does the reticular formation primarily influence?

Stereotyped patterns like walking and sleeping Signup and view all the answers

Which structure monitors drinking, eating, and sexual behavior?

Hypothalamus Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

Coordinating voluntary movements Signup and view all the answers

What critical role does the amygdala play in the limbic system?

Discrimination of survival-related objects Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which healthy neurons grow new branches next to damaged cells?

Collateral sprouting Signup and view all the answers

What does a genome-wide association method primarily involve?

Analysis of DNA from different populations Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stress is characterized by a prolonged state that may lead to negative health outcomes?

Chronic stress Signup and view all the answers

Gregor Mendel's work in the mid nineteenth century primarily focused on what aspect of genetics?

Observation of dominant-recessive traits Signup and view all the answers

What does the term phenotype refer to in genetics?

The observable character resulting from the genotype Signup and view all the answers

What process involves implanting healthy stem cells from fetal tissue into damaged brain areas?

Brain grafting Signup and view all the answers

Which method uses behavior in maze-running rats to demonstrate genetic influence?

Selective breeding Signup and view all the answers

What can significantly hinder the expression of a genotype into a phenotype?

Environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Nervous System

Represents the body’s electrochemical communication circuitry.
Neuroscience is the field studying the nervous system.
Complexity arises from billions of interconnected nerves enabling diverse activities.
Integration occurs as nerve cells (averaging 10,000 connections each) communicate.
Adaptability allows the brain to adjust to new conditions necessary for survival.
Plasticity refers to the brain's ability to physically change.

Pathways in the Nervous System

Afferent nerves (sensory nerves) carry information from the environment to the brain.
Efferent nerves (motor nerves) transmit information from the brain and spinal cord to the body.

Divisions of the Nervous System

Central Nervous System (CNS): Comprises the brain and spinal cord, containing 99% of all nerve cells, responsible for processing information.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Connects the CNS to the body, transmitting information to and from the brain.

Neural Impulse

Neurons send electrical impulses through their axons via semipermeable membranes.
Resting potential describes an inactive neuron's stable negative charge.
Action potential involves a brief wave of positive charge when the neuron fires, leading to depolarization.

All-or-Nothing Principle

Electrical impulses fire at a certain intensity, propagating down the axon without losing strength.

Synapses and Neurotransmitters

Synapses are gaps between neurons where chemical signals are transmitted.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that convey signals across synaptic gaps.
Techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG help understand brain activity and lesions.

Brain Imaging Techniques

CAT/CT scans: 3D X-ray images for structural insights.
PET scans: Measure brain activity using glucose metabolism, useful for diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer’s.
MRI: Reveals structural images based on hydrogen levels in blood.
fMRI: Links brain structure and function through oxygen level monitoring.

Brain Organization

Divided into hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain with various functions.
Hindbrain: Controls basic life functions (medulla, cerebellum, pons).
Midbrain: Connects sensory information; includes substantia nigra (dopamine regulation) and reticular formation (attention).
Forebrain: Largest division, includes limbic system (memory and emotion), thalamus (relay station), basal ganglia (movement coordination), hypothalamus (homeostasis), and cerebral cortex (higher cognitive functions).

Brain Damage, Plasticity, and Repair

Brain demonstrates plasticity, especially in youth, allowing repair through:
- Collateral sprouting: Healthy neurons grow new branches to compensate.
- Substitution of function: Other brain areas take over damaged functions.
- Neurogenesis: Creation of new neurons.

Genetics and Behavior

Human cells contain chromosomes with DNA that carry genetic information.
Molecular genetics manipulates genes to study behavior.
Genome-wide association compares DNA variations between affected and non-affected individuals.
Behavioral genetics examines nature versus nurture through twin studies.
Selective breeding illustrated genetic influence on behavior through controlled experiments.

Genes and Environment

Genotype (genes) interacts with the environment to produce observable phenotypes.
Environmental factors can inhibit the expression of genetic potential (e.g., proper nutrition affecting height).

Psychology's Biological Foundations and Health

Acute stress is temporary; chronic stress is prolonged and harmful, potentially leading to health issues like immune system collapse.

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Description

This quiz explores key terms and concepts from Chapter 3 of 'Biological Foundations of Behavior' by Joseph Fakhoury. Topics include the nervous system, neurons, brain structures, endocrine system, and the relationship between genetics and behavior. Test your understanding of how biological aspects influence psychology and health.