Brain Boot Camp Flashcards

1
Q

Systems consolidation describes the process by which short term memories are formed in the __________and are gradually transferred into long term memories stored in the __________?

A

Hippocampus; cortex

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2
Q

The brain and the body use ____________ to communicate with one another.

A

Both electrical and chemical signals

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3
Q

The dendrites of a neuron ________ (select all that are true)
* Receive synaptic inputs
* Hold DNA and provide the life processes of the cell
* Release neurotransmitters
* Conduct action potentials
* Are typically on the presynaptic side of a synapse
* Are typically on the postsynaptic side of a synapse

A
  • Receive synaptic inputs
  • Are typically on the postsynaptic side of a synapse
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4
Q

“Gray matter” refers to areas where there are dense collections of _______

A

Cell Bodies

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5
Q

Select all of the following terms that correspond to a DECREASE in the likelihood of a neuron producing an action potential:
* Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
* Sub-threshold depolarization
* A synapse that results in hyperpolarization of the membrane potential
* Input from a glutamatergic synapse
* Input from presynaptic cells that release GABA
* The membrane potential changes from -70 mV to -75 mV

A
  • A synapse that results in hyperpolarization of the membrane potential
  • Input from presynaptic cells that release GABA
  • The membrane potential changes from -70 mV to -75 mV
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6
Q

T/F: The membrane potential briefly flips from negative to positive

A

True

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7
Q

T/F: The duration of an action potential is approximately 1 ms (millisecond)

A

True

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8
Q

T/F: The duration of an action potential can be as long as 1 second

A

False

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9
Q

T/F: An action potential is a chemical signal

A

False

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10
Q

T/F: An action potential travels along the axon of a neuron

A

True

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11
Q

T/F: An action potential can be bigger or smaller depending on how strong a stimulus is

A

False

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12
Q

Drugs that influence perception and/or behavior often act by

A

Altering the dynamics of specific types of synapses

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13
Q

When does a burst of calcium (Ca2+) enter a neuron?

A

At the beginning of a synapse

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14
Q

_______ are released from vesicles in axon terminals and are detected by receptors on adjacent neurons.

A

Neurotransmitters

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15
Q

Action Potential or Synaptic Transmission? :
Ion Channel

A

Action Potential

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16
Q

Action Potential or Synaptic Transmission? :
Receptor

A

Synaptic Transmission

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17
Q

Action Potential or Synaptic Transmission? :
Sodium

A

Action Potential

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18
Q

Action Potential or Synaptic Transmission? :
Calcium

A

Synaptic Transmission

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19
Q

Action Potential or Synaptic Transmission? :
Glutamate

A

Synaptic Transmission

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20
Q

As you read, cells in your retina detect the patterns of light that make up the letters on this screen. They pass this information to neurons in the thalamus, which pass along the signals to neurons in visual cortex, and so on, in order to process the shapes and attach linguistic meaning. What neurotransmitter is most important for this process?

A

Glutamate

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21
Q

Precise Signal or Broad Modulator:
Glutamate

A

Precise Signaling

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22
Q

Precise Signal or Broad Modulator:
Serotonin

A

Broad Modulator

23
Q

Precise Signal or Broad Modulator:
Norepi

A

Broad Modulator

24
Q

Precise Signal or Broad Modulator:
GABA

A

Precise Signal

25
Q

Precise Signal or Broad Modulator:
Dopamine

A

Broad Modulator

26
Q

In the adult brain, which characteristics of neurons are fixed and which can change with experience?
* Strength of connections between cells

A

can change

27
Q

In the adult brain, which characteristics of neurons are fixed and which can change with experience?
* Sizes and shapes of dendritic branches

A

can change

28
Q

In the adult brain, which characteristics of neurons are fixed and which can change with experience?
* Type of NTs synthesized by a given neuron

A

Fixed

29
Q

In the adult brain, which characteristics of neurons are fixed and which can change with experience?
* Pattern of neural activity in response to a stimulus

A

can change

30
Q

The _________ is essential for basic, vital functions such as control of the lungs, sleep/wakefulness, early sensory processing, etc

A

Brainstem

31
Q

What is the brain made of? (VERY VERY GENERAL)

A

Fat and Protein

32
Q

What does Novocain/Lidocaine do?

A

Block voltage-gated Na+ channels

33
Q

Glutamate

A
  • Excitatory NT
  • Causes a small depolarization of postsynaptic membrane potential (EPSP)
  • Often act on AMPA receptors
34
Q

GABA

A
  • Inhibitory NT
  • causes a small hyperpolarization of postsynaptic membrane potential (IPSP)
  • GABA a are the most common GABA receptors
  • they open channels to allow for the influx of Cl- and causes a hyperpolarization
35
Q

Modulatory Neurotransmitters

A
  • Dopamine
  • Serotonin
  • Norepinephrine
  • Acetylcholine
    *Modify how the postsynaptic cells will react to other synaptic input through the activation of cascades
36
Q

“Where” stream

A

Dorsal stream

37
Q

“What” stream

A

Ventral stream

38
Q

Importance of retina in processing visual information

A
  • detailed representation of basic physical features
39
Q

Importance of Inferior Temporal Cortex in processing visual information

A
  • abstract representation of meaningful objects (ie. faces)
40
Q

Lesions to the Retina

A

Result in True Blindness

41
Q

Lesions to the V1

A

Results in blindsight
- no perception, but reflexes intact

42
Q

Lesion to the Inferior Temporal Cortex

A

Results in Prosopagnosia
- inability to recognize faces

43
Q

What are the two structures of the Hindbrain?

A

Cerebellum and Brain Stem

44
Q

Cerebellum

A
  • refines movements initiated by the motor cortex (speed, intensity, direction, coordination)
  • plays a role in motor learning and other cognitive processes
45
Q

Brainstem

A
  • Nuclei that control essential life processes
  • Regulate autonomic/involuntary functions (breathing, HR, bladder control, swallowing, BP)
  • Sleep and arousal
  • Facial expression, facial sensation, posture
  • Nuclei that form the basis of NT systems
  • cell bodies of neurons that synthesize modulatory NTs
  • send their axons all over the brain
46
Q

Why is plasticity important?

A
  • development
  • recovery from injury
  • learning and memory in adults
47
Q

Neurotrophic factors

A
  • signaling molecules that help promote the survival of neurons
48
Q

Where are short term memories formed?

A

Hippocampus

49
Q

Where are long term memories stored?

A

Cortex

50
Q

T/F: In the adult brain, connectivity between neurons changes as a result of learning/experience.

A

True

51
Q

T/F: In the adult brain, the number of postsynaptic receptors at a given synapse is fixed.

A

False

52
Q

T/F: The sizes and shapes of dendrites are fixed in an adult brain.

A

False

53
Q

The _____ is crucial for forming new memories.

A

Hippocampus

54
Q

When you’re nervous, you might start sweating. The sweat is most likely initiated by which neural structure?

A

Brainstem