Biological Bases of the Mind

Question 1

What is the prefrontal cortex in charge of?

Answer 1

• Complex cognitive behavior
• Decision making
• Moderating social behavior
• Inhibition

Question 2

Structures along the brainstem

Answer 2

• Medulla
• Pons
• Reticular Foramation
• Thalamus
• Cerebellum

Question 3

What happened to Phineas Gage?

Answer 3

• Tamping iron penetrated his left cheek damaged his prefrontal cortex and shot out of his skull and he survived
• Could no longer control his emotions. Could not see what is inappropriate and appropriate behavior
• He became a completely different person

Question 4

List the divisions of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems

Answer 4

CNS ->
Autonomic Nervous System
-> Sympathetic, Parasympathetic

PNS->
Somatic Nervous System
-> Sensory, Motor

Question 5

What occurs to a neuron when it receives inhibitory and excitatory input?

Answer 5

1. Resting Potential
   a) inhibits, keeps cell from firing
   b) excites, allows cell to fire
2. Once the action potential starts, sodium rushes into
   neuron and makes the inside positive relative to the
   outside (depolarizes neuron). The signal travels down axon
   due to successive depolarization

3.When inside becomes positive, the channels that
allowed sodium to flow in, close. Then they allow
potassium to flow out open. The outflow of potassium ions
restores the negative charge of the neuron. Refractory
period (rests until fully recovered or receives stronger signal)