Chapter 2 and 6 Flashcards
The function of dendrites is to
receive incoming signals from other neurons
The minimum amount of stimulation a person needs to detect a stimulus 50 percent of the time is called the
absolute threshold
A biological psychologist would be most interested in conducting research on the relationship between
neurotransmitters and depression
Some people are better than others at detecting slight variations in the tastes of various blends of coffee. This best illustrates the importance of
difference thresholds
Neurons are surrounded by _____, which guide neural connections and mop up ions and neurotransmitters
glial cells
Detection is to interpretation as sensation is to
perception
Subliminal priming effects best illustrate
that information can be processed outside of concious awareness
During a hearing test, many sounds were presented at such a low level of intensity that Mr. Antall could hardly detect them. These were below Mr. Antall’s
absolute threshold
A slap on the back is more painful than a pat on the back because a slap triggers
more neurons to fire, and to fire more often
Sir Charles Sherrington observed that impulses took an unexpectedly long time to travel a neural pathway. His observation provided evidence for the existance of
synaptic gaps
Sensation is the
detection and encoding of stimulus energies by sensory receptors and the nervous system
A synapse is a(n)
junction between a sending neuron and a recieving neuron
The speed at which a neural impulse travels is increased when the axon is encased by a(n)
myelin sheath
Degeneration of the myelin sheath results in
multiple sclerosis
An axon is
the extension of a neuron that carries messages way from the cell body
Damage to an area on the underside of our brain’s right hemisphere essential to recognizing faces results in a condition known as
prosopagnosia
Stimuli below the absolute threshold are said to be
subliminal
Which brain cells play a role in learning and memory by communicating with neurons?
glial cells
A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron is called the
action potential
The axon of a sending neuron is separated from the dendrite of a receiving neuron by a
synaptic gap
A myelin sheath is a
layer of fatty tissue encasing the axons of some nerve cells
Gerald has experienced increasing difficulties with muscle weakness, motor coordination, and body balance, which physicians have attributed to multiple sclerosis. These symptoms are most likely to be directly linked with the degeneration of
the myelin sheath
Dendrites are branching extensions of
neurons
The difference threshold is the minimum difference a person can detect between any two stimuli
50 percent of the time
Gay men were more accurate in guessing the angle of a geometric figure if it had been in the same location where a nude ____ briefly appeared a moment earlier. Straight women were more accurate if the geometric figure had been in same location where a nude ____ briefly appeared a moment earlier.
man; man
A forest ranger may notice the faintest scent of a forest fire, whereas much stronger but less important odors fail to catch her attention. This fact would be of greatest relevance to
signal detection theory
Lonely, anxious people at speed-dating events respond with a _____ threshold, and thus tend to be _____ in reaching out to potential dates.
low; unselective
Which theory predicts when we will first notice a faint stimulus presented amid competing background stimulation?
signal detection theory
Which of the following represents the first of three steps basic to all sensory systems?
receiving sensory stimulation
Three steps that are basic to all sensory systems include the ____ of information to the brain
receiving, transforming, and delivering
Recognizing an odor as the familiar smell of apple blossoms is an example of
perception
Perception is the process by which
sensory input is organized and interpreted
Endorphins are
neurotransmitters
The depolarization of a neural membrane creates a(n)
action potential
One function of glial cells is to
provide nutrients to neurons
Dendrite is to _____ as axon is to ______.
signal reception; signal transmission
Neurons are best described as
nerve cells that function as the building blocks of the nervous system
