The Nervous System Overview
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The Nervous System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of behavioral genetics?

  • The effects of nutrition on mental health
  • The study of inherited traits in animals
  • The role of environmental factors in genetic disorders
  • The influence of genes and environments on behavior (correct)

    • Which type of twin study involves twins coming from one zygote?

  • Identical twins (correct)
  • Fraternal twins
  • Adoption studies
  • Dizygotic twins

    • What does the heritability coefficient measure?

  • The likelihood of adopting genetic traits
  • The extent of environmental influence on behavior
  • The genetic contribution to the variation of a trait (correct)
  • The effect of upbringing on personality

    • How does epigenetics affect gene expression over time?

    <p>It changes the way genes are expressed based on individual experiences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one example of a survival adaptation mentioned?

    <p>Craving for fat and sugar in times of scarcity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens once the threshold level is reached in a neuron?

    <p>The action potential will always fire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during repolarization of the neuron?

    <p>Na+ channels will close and K+ channels open.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is hyperpolarization?

    <p>Membrane potential moves beyond -70 mV towards -80 mV.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of myelin in myelinated axons?

    <p>To speed up the conduction of action potentials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The period during which another action potential cannot be generated is known as:

    <p>Refractory period.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do neurotransmitters interact with neurons?

    <p>They bind to specific receptor sites like a lock and key.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the resting potential of a typical neuron?

    <p>-70 mV</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the Central Nervous System (CNS) play in the body?

    <p>It processes sensory information and sends signals for actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of dendrites in a neuron?

    <p>To receive information from other neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for keeping the cell alive?

    <p>Soma (cell body)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the myelin sheath play in neuronal communication?

    <p>It insulates the axon to speed up signal transmission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of cells compose the myelin sheath?

    <p>Glial cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main divisions of the nervous system referred to in behavioral neuroscience?

    <p>Central and Peripheral</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one factor that can influence behavior, according to neuroscience?

    <p>Genetic predispositions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the structure of neurons?

    <p>Neurons vary by function and location in the nervous system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the common neuroimaging techniques mentioned in neuroscience?

    <p>Electroencephalography (EEG)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the myelin sheath in multiple sclerosis?

    <p>It deteriorates, slowing transmission.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do sensory neurons play in the nervous system?

    <p>They receive information from the outside world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the resting membrane potential of a neuron?

    <p>Around -70 millivolts (mV).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During depolarization, what primarily happens to the interior of the neuron?

    <p>Sodium ions flow in, reducing negativity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What triggers an action potential in a neuron?

    <p>A reduction in intracellular negativity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of evolutionary psychology?

    <p>Understanding psychological mechanisms that evolved to address survival and reproduction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of interneurons in the nervous system?

    <p>They connect sensory neurons with motor neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes the process of chemical transmission?

    <p>It involves neurotransmitters crossing the synapse between neurons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is generally more attractive to women in the context of sexual strategies theory?

    <p>Possession of resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does potassium (K+) have during the neuron's action potential?

    <p>Leaves the cell to help restore resting potential.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do hormones play in behavior according to behavioral endocrinology?

    <p>They can affect aggression, parental behavior, and love</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of mate strategies, what is often prioritized by men?

    <p>Attractiveness and youth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do psychological adaptations interact with culture?

    <p>Cultural context can change the perceived value of certain mating strategies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is least likely to influence human mating strategies according to sexual strategies theory?

    <p>Genetic predispositions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact can the presence of others have on an individual's behavior?

    <p>It can buffer stress and affect mood positively or negatively</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic that women look for in mates according to evolutionary psychology?

    <p>Ambition and resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Nervous System

    • The nervous system is the body's communication network.
    • It conveys electrochemical information throughout the body.
    • It is composed of two major divisions, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

    Central Nervous System

    • Composed of the brain and spinal cord.
    • Processes sensory information and sends electrochemical signals to the peripheral nervous system.

    Peripheral Nervous System

    • Connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles.

    What are Neurons?

    • Building blocks of the nervous system.
    • Receive and send electrochemical messages.
    • All neurons have the same basic structure but vary by function and location in the nervous system.

    Components of the Neuron

    • Dendrites: Receive information from other neurons and send it to the cell body.
    • Soma (cell body): Coordinates information processing and keeps the cell alive.
    • Axon: Transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

    Myelin Sheath

    • An insulating layer of fatty material that covers many axons.
    • Helps transmit signals quickly.
    • Composed of glial cells.
    • Demyelination diseases like multiple sclerosis cause the myelin sheath to deteriorate, slowing the transmission of signals.

    Synapse

    • The gap between two neurons, where neurons communicate with one another.

    Major Types of Neurons

    • Sensory neurons: Receive information from the outside world and convey it to the brain via the spinal cord.
    • Interneurons: Connect sensory and motor neurons.
    • Motor neurons: Initiate movement by carrying signals from the spinal cord to the muscles.

    Communication within and between Neurons

    • Two stages of communication:
      • Electrical conduction: Moving an electric signal within a neuron.
      • Chemical transmission: Transmitting electric signals from one neuron to another via the synapse.

    The Resting Membrane Potential

    • When the cell membrane is at rest and not receiving information, there is a difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of a neuron's cell membrane.
    • The inside of the cell is more negatively charged than the outside.
    • The potential is around -70 millivolts (mV).
    • More sodium (Na+) is outside the cell, and more potassium (K+) is inside the cell.

    Depolarization

    • When a neuron receives a signal, Na+ channels open, allowing Na+ ions to flow into the cell.
    • This reduces the negative charge inside the cell, making it more positive.
    • If the charge reaches the threshold (-50 to -55 mV), it will trigger an action potential.

    Action Potential

    • The all-or-nothing principle: An action potential will always fire once the threshold is reached.
    • The size of the action potential is the same for any neuron (+30 to +40 mV at peak).
    • An action potential moves the signal all the way down the axon.

    Repolarization

    • Returning to the resting membrane potential.
    • Na+ channels close, and K+ channels open, allowing K+ to move out of the cell.
    • K+ channels remain open even after reaching the resting membrane potential, causing the membrane potential to move beyond -70 mV (to -80 mV).
    • Refractory period: Another action potential is not possible during this stage.

    Hyperpolarization

    • K+ channels close, allowing the return to the resting potential of -70 mV.
    • The neuron can now generate another action potential.

    Action Potential in Myelinated Axons

    • Myelin speeds up the process of signal transmission.
    • When an electric current passes down the myelinated axon, the charge jumps from node to node.
    • Saltatory conduction: Helps speed the flow of information down the axon.

    Release of Neurotransmitters

    • Neurotransmitters float across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on a nearby dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron (receiving neuron).
    • Neurotransmitters and receptor sites act like a lock and key system.

    Brain Development

    • The brain develops rapidly during the first two years of life.
    • Connections between neurons are strengthened through experiences.

    Divisions of the Nervous System

    • Central Nervous System: Brain and Spinal Cord
    • Peripheral Nervous System: Connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles.

    Nature-Nurture

    • Behavioral Genetics: Studies how genes and environments work together to influence behavior.
    • Adoption Studies: Compare adopted individuals with their biological and adoptive parents.
    • Twin Studies: Compare monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins.

    Twin Studies and Heritability

    • Monozygotic twins: Share 100% of their DNA.
    • Dizygotic twins: Share 50% of their DNA.
    • Heritability Coefficient: A measure of genetics' influence on a trait, ranging from 0 to 1.

    More Genetic Similarity, More Similarity in Behavior

    • Individuals who are more genetically related are more similar in traits such as height, weight, intelligence, behaviors, attitudes, personalities, and mental illness.

    The Importance of Environment

    • Not all behavior traits are completely inherited.
    • Both genes and environment significantly shape traits.
    • Genes interact with the environment (GxE).

    Epigenetics

    • The environment can change the way genes are expressed.
    • Identical twins become less similar over time due to individual experiences.
    • This can affect their susceptibility to serious illness.

    Evolutionary Psychology

    • Focuses on psychological adaptations that have evolved to solve problems of survival or reproduction.
    • Psychological adaptations interact with culture.

    Evolutionary Psychology Theories

    • Sexual Strategies Theory: Individuals have evolved a menu of mating strategies based on culture, social context, parental influence, and personal mate value.

    Factors that influence behavior/mood

    • Hormones:
      • Androgens may influence aggression.
      • Cortisol is associated with parental behavior.
      • Oxytocin is linked to love.
    • Social Influence:
      • The presence of others impacts stress levels.
      • Social support can buffer stress.

    Important Concepts

    • Glial cells: Support cells in the nervous system that can digest dead neurons, provide nutritional support, and form myelin.
    • Myelin: An insulating layer of fatty material that speeds up signal transmission in neurons.
    • Action potential: A brief electrical signal transmitted down the axon.
    • Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons.
    • Saltatory conduction: The jumping of an electrical signal from node to node in a myelinated axon, which speeds up transmission.
    • Heritability Coefficient: A measure of the degree to which variation in a trait is due to genetic differences.
    • Epigenetics: The study of how environment influences gene expression.
    • Sexual Strategies Theory: A theory that proposes that humans have evolved a variety of mating strategies that are chosen based on various factors.

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    Neuroscience and Behavior Lecture Notes PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers the essential components of the nervous system, focusing on its two major divisions: the central and peripheral nervous systems. You will explore the structure and function of neurons, including their components such as dendrites, soma, and axon. Test your knowledge of how this intricate communication network operates within the body.

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