Biological Bases: The Brain and Nervous System

Question 1

Physiological psychology

Answer 1

The study of behavior as influenced by biology

Question 2

Imaging techniques

Answer 2

Allow researchers to map the structure and/or activity of the brain and correlate this data with behavior

Question 3

EEG (electroencephalogram)

Answer 3

Measures subtle changes in brain electrical activity through electrodes placed on the head

Question 4

CAT scan

Answer 4

Cross-sectional images of the brain using a series of X-ray pictures taken from different angles

Question 5

MRI

Answer 5

Extremely powerful electromagnets and radio waves to get 3-D structural information from the brain

Question 6

fMRI

Answer 6

Show brain function by rapid sequence in of MRI images

Question 7

PET scan

Answer 7

Shows function via diffusion of radioactive glucose in the brain

Question 8

Central nervous system

Answer 8

The brain and spinal cord

Question 9

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 9

All nerves in the body

Question 10

Neurons

Answer 10

Nerve cells

Question 11

Afferent (sensory) neurons

Answer 11

Neurosis that travel from the body to the brain

Question 12

Motor (efferent) neurons

Answer 12

Neurons that travel from the brain to the body

Question 13

Reflexes

Answer 13

Quick and involuntary responses to environmental stimuli

Question 14

Somatic nervous system

Answer 14

Voluntary movement of large skeletal muscles

Question 15

Automatic nervous system

Answer 15

Controls the non skeletal or smooth muscles (not under control)

Question 16

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 16

Processes that burn energy (flight-or-flight reaction)

Question 17

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 17

Conserving energy

Question 18

Cerebellum

Answer 18

Controls muscle tone and balance

Question 19

Medulla Oblongata

Answer 19

Controls involuntary actions, such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, and swallowing

Question 20

Reticular activating system

Answer 20

Controls arousal (wakefulness and alertness)

Question 21

Pons

Answer 21

Coordinates voluntary movement, responsible for sleep (REM), related to facial expressions

Question 22

Limbic system

Answer 22

Emotional center of the brain

Question 23

Thalamus

Answer 23

Relays sensory information; receives and directs sensory information from visual and auditory systems

Question 24

Hippocampus

Answer 24

Involved in processing and integrating memories; damage = prevents the formation of new memories (does not eliminate existing memories)

Question 25

Amygdala

Answer 25

Implicated in the expression of anger, frustration, and fear

Question 26

Hypothalamus

Answer 26

Controls the temperature and water balance of the body; controls hunger and sex drives

Question 27

Lateral hypothalamus

Answer 27

“On switch” for eating

Question 28

Ventromedial hypothalamus

Answer 28

“Off switch” for eating

Question 29

Cerebral cortex

Answer 29

Higher cognitive functions like thinking, planning, language use, and fine motor control

Question 30

Corpus callosum

Answer 30

Bundle of nerve fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres

Question 31

Broca’s area

Answer 31

Ability to speak

Question 32

Wernicke’s area

Answer 32

Comprehend spoken and written language

Question 33

Contralateral processing

Answer 33

The ability of (non-split) brains to use both hemispheres and integrate information between them via the corpus callosum

Question 34

Apraxia

Answer 34

The inability to organize movement

Question 35

Agnosia

Answer 35

A difficulty processing sensory input

Question 36

Alexia

Answer 36

The inability to read

Question 37

A graphic

Answer 37

The inability to write

Question 38

Soma

Answer 38

Nerve body cell

Question 39

Dendrites

Answer 39

Receive input from other neurons through receptors on the surface

Question 40

Axon

Answer 40

Long, tubelike structure that responds to input from the dendrites and soma

Question 41

Myelin sheath

Answer 41

Insulation for axons, speeds up the rate at which electrical information travels down them

Question 42

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 42

Help speed up neural transmission

Question 43

Terminal buttons/bulbs

Answer 43

End of neuron

Question 44

Synapse

Answer 44

Gap between neurons

Question 45

Neurotransmitters

Answer 45

Chemical messages that bind with receptors on subsequent dendrites

Question 46

Resting membrane potential

Answer 46

An electric potential across the plasma membrane of approximately -70 millivolts (mV)

Question 47

Leak channels

Answer 47

Channels that are open all the time and that simply allow ions to “leak” across the membrane according to their gradient

Question 48

Action potential

Answer 48

A disturbance in the membrane potential

Question 49

Excite neurotransmitters

Answer 49

Serve to excite the cell or cause the neuron to fire

Question 50

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 50

Inhibit cell firing

Question 51

Acetylcholine

Answer 51

Affects memory function, as well as muscle contraction

Question 52

Serotonin

Answer 52

Related to arousal, sleep, pain sensitivity, and mood and hunger regulation

Question 53

Dopamine

Answer 53

Associated with movement, attention, and reward

Question 54

GABA

Answer 54

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

Question 55

Glutamine

Answer 55

Excitatory neurotransmitter

Question 56

Norepinephrine

Answer 56

Affects levels of alertness

Question 57

Endorphins

Answer 57

Body’s natural painkillers

Question 58

Neuroplasticity

Answer 58

The idea that the brain, when damaged, will attempt to find new ways to reroute messages

Question 59

Pituitary glands

Answer 59

Releases hormones that control hormonal release by many other glands

Question 60

Adrenal glands

Answer 60

Fight or flight reactions