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Psychology 1101 > Chapter 2 > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Flashcards

How the brain works?

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1
Q

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

A

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

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2
Q

What is the basic unit of the nervous system?

A

Neurons

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3
Q

What are the three phases of neuron communication?

A

Transmission, reception, and integration.

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4
Q

What is the resting state of a neuron

A

When a neuron is inactive and has a negative electrical charge.

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5
Q

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

A

To insulate the axon and speed up neural communication.

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6
Q

What happens during neurotransmitter reuptake?

A

Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron.

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7
Q

What is the difference between an excitatory signal and an inhibitory signal?

A

Excitatory signals increase the likelihood of neuron firing, while inhibitory signals decrease it.

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8
Q

Name two types of drugs that affect neurotransmitter function.

A

Agonists (enhance action) and antagonists (block action).

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9
Q

What is the role of serotonin in the brain?

A

Serotonin regulates emotional states, impulse control, and dreaming.

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10
Q

What brain region is involved in speech production?

A

Broca’s area in the left frontal region.

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11
Q

What function does the cerebellum serve?

A

It coordinates movement and maintains balance.

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12
Q

Which brain structure is associated with forming memories?

A

The hippocampus

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13
Q

What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?

A

Occipital, parietal, temporal, and frontal lobes.

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14
Q

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

A

It regulates involuntary body functions, such as heart rate and digestion.

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15
Q

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A

Sympathetic (prepares the body for action) and parasympathetic (returns the body to resting state)

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16
Q

What is the role of the endocrine system in behavior?

A

It influences behavior through hormones released by endocrine glands.

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17
Q

What are twin studies used for in behavioral genetics

A

To study the influence of genetics and environment by comparing monozygotic and dizygotic twins.

18
Q

What is plasticity in the brain?

A

The brain’s ability to change by growing new neurons, forming new connections, and reorganizing itself.

19
Q

What is epigenetics?

A

The study of how environment affects gene expression.

20
Q

What is the function of the medulla in the hindbrain?

A

The medulla controls basic life functions like heart rate, breathing, and swallowing.

21
Q

What role does the pons play in the hindbrain?

A

The pons is involved in sleep, arousal, and coordinating movements between the left and right sides of the body.

22
Q

What is the function of the cerebellum?

A

The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movement, maintains posture and balance, and plays a role in motor learning.

23
Q

What is the role of the substantia nigra in the midbrain?

A

The substantia nigra is important for initiating voluntary movement. Its degeneration is linked to Parkinson’s disease.

24
Q

What does the thalamus do in the forebrain?

A

The thalamus acts as a relay station, processing and transmitting sensory information to the cerebral cortex (except for smell).

25
Q

What are the main functions of the hypothalamus?

A

The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and other homeostatic systems, and controls the pituitary gland, which influences hormone release.

26
Q

What role does the hippocampus play in the brain?

A

The hippocampus is crucial for the formation of new memories and spatial navigation.

27
Q

What is the function of the amygdala?

A

The amygdala processes emotions, especially fear and aggression, and enhances memory formation during emotionally charged events.

28
Q

What is the function of the occipital lobe in the cerebral cortex?

A

The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual information. It contains the primary visual cortex, which interprets visual signals from the eyes.

29
Q

What is the parietal lobe responsible for?

A

The parietal lobe processes sensory information related to touch, pressure, and body position. It includes the primary somatosensory cortex, which receives tactile information.

30
Q

What does the temporal lobe handle?

A

The temporal lobe is involved in processing auditory information, language comprehension, and recognizing objects and faces. It contains the primary auditory cortex.

31
Q

What is the primary role of the frontal lobe?

A

The frontal lobe is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as attention, decision-making, problem-solving, voluntary movement, and inhibiting inappropriate behaviors. It contains the primary motor cortex and the prefrontal cortex.

32
Q

What is the corpus callosum, and what does it do?

A

The corpus callosum is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres, allowing them to communicate and coordinate actions.

33
Q

What is the fusiform face area, and where is it located?

A

The fusiform face area is located at the intersection of the temporal and occipital lobes and is specialized in facial recognition.

34
Q

How do the left and right hemispheres of the brain differ in terms of specialization?

A

The left hemisphere specializes in logical reasoning, language processing, and controlling the right side of the body. The right hemisphere specializes in spatial awareness, creativity, and controlling the left side of the body.

35
Q

What is the function of Broca’s area in the brain?

A

Broca’s area, located in the left frontal lobe, is responsible for speech production and language expression.

36
Q

What is the function of the dendrites in a neuron?

A

Dendrites receive signals from other neurons and transmit this information to the cell body.

37
Q

What does the cell body (soma) of a neuron do?

A

The cell body contains the nucleus and organelles, and it integrates incoming signals and generates outgoing signals to the axon.

38
Q

What is the role of the axon in a neuron?

A

The axon carries electrical impulses away from the cell body toward other neurons, muscles, or glands.

39
Q

What are terminal buttons (axon terminals) and their function?

A

Terminal buttons are at the end of the axon, and they release neurotransmitters into the synapse to transmit the signal to the next neuron.

40
Q

What is the myelin sheath, and what is its function?

A

The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that insulates the axon, speeding up the transmission of electrical signals along the axon.

41
Q
A

Psychology 1101 (5 decks)

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