Chapter 2 Neurons: The Basic Unit of Communication

Question 1

Neuroscience/Biological Psychology

Answer 1

Biological psychologists investigate the physical processes that underlie psychological experience and behavior. Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, especially the brain.

Question 2

Neurons

Answer 2

Information in the nervous system is transmitted via cells specialized for communication, called neurons.

Question 3

Sensory Neurons

Answer 3

Communicate information from the environment to the central nervous system

Question 4

Motor Neurons

Answer 4

Communicate information from the central nervous system to the muscles

Question 5

Interneurons

Answer 5

Communicate information from one neuron to another

Question 6

Glial Cells

Answer 6

The support cells that assist neurons by providing structural support, nutrition, and the removal of cell wastes; glial cells manufacture myelin

Question 7

Myelin sheath

Answer 7

A white, fatty covering wrapped around the axons of some neurons that increases their communication speed

Question 8

Dendritic Growth

Answer 8

The brain is incredibly plastic, changing every moment of every day. An important component of plasticity is the ability of dendrites to grow longer, or add more spines to their surface.

Question 9

Resting Potential

Answer 9

The state in which a neuron is prepared to activate and communicate its message if it receives sufficient stimulation. -70 millivolts is a neuron’s resting potential

Question 10

Depolarization

Answer 10

During depolarization, the charge within the cell rapidly shifts from negative to positive. It takes at least -55 millivolts for this to occur

Question 11

Repolarization

Answer 11

Repolarization happens at 40 millivolts. Specific gates will open which cause the now positive neuron to shift back to becoming negative again

Question 12

Hyperpolarization

Answer 12

This occurs after repolarization. The neuron will become too negative and eventually settle back to -70 millivolts

Question 13

Synapse

Answer 13

The communication point between two neurons is called the synapse

Question 14

Neurotransmitter

Answer 14

Neurotransmitters, also known as chemical messengers, are endogenous chemicals that enable neurotransmission

Question 15

Action Potential

Answer 15

A brief electrical impulse which sends messages from the nucleus across the axon

Question 16

The Nervous System

Answer 16

The primary internal communication network of the body; divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

Question 17

Central vs Peripheral

Answer 17

CNS is the division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord. The division of the nervous system that includes all the nerves lying outside the CNS.

Question 18

Somatic System

Answer 18

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that communicates sensory information to the central nervous system and carries motor messages from the central nervous system to the muscles. Handles voluntary action.

Question 19

Autonomic System

Answer 19

The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions. I.E. heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion.

Question 20

Sympathetic System

Answer 20

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats. Arouses body to spend energy.

Question 21

Parasympathetic System

Answer 21

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains normal bodily functions and conserves the body’s physical resources. Calms body to conserve and maintain energy.

Question 22

Brainstem

Answer 22

A region of the brain that is made up of the hindbrain and the midbrain

Question 23

Lateralization

Answer 23

The notion that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain. Left brain language tasks. Right brain is for visual-spatial tasks. I.E. Deciphers visual cues such as completing a puzzle or manipulating blocks to match a particular design.

Question 24

Forebrain

Answer 24

Uppermost and largest brain region

Question 25

Hindbrain

Answer 25

A region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions. Connects the spinal cord with the rest of the brain.

Question 26

Midbrain

Answer 26

The middle and the smallest brain region, involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information.
Contains structures involved in processing visual and auditory information

Question 27

Corpus Callosum and the effects of the split brain operation

Answer 27

The Corpus Callosum is a thick band of axons that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain together. It allows communication between both sides. The effects of the split brain operation was the inability to verbal describe an object that was shown on the left side of the person’s view which is connected to the right hemisphere. However, the person could still grab the correct object when asked to do so.

Question 28

Occipital Lobe

Answer 28

An area at the back of each cerebral hemisphere that is the primary receiving area for visual information

Question 29

Temporal Lobe

Answer 29

An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex, near the temples, that is the primary receiving area for auditory information

Question 30

Parietal Lobe

Answer 30

An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex located above the temporal lobe that processes somatic sensations

Question 31

Frontal Lobe

Answer 31

The largest lobe of each cerebral hemisphere; processes voluntary muscle movements and is involved in thinking, planning, and emotional control

Question 32

Broca’s area

Answer 32

Located in the lower left frontal lobe. It is known to play a crucial role in speech production. Patients had great difficulty speaking, but could comprehend written or spoken language.

Question 33

Aphasia

Answer 33

The partial or complete inability to articulate ideas or understand spoken or written language because of a brain injury or damage

Question 34

Wernicke’s area

Answer 34

Located in the left temporal lobe. Patients had great difficult understanding spoken or written communications, but they could speak quickly and easily, but their speech sometimes made no sense.

Question 35

Limbic System

Answer 35

Limbic means border. It surrounds the brainstem. It is composed of the hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. Critical roles in learning, memory, and emotional control

Question 36

Hippocampus

Answer 36

Means sea horse. Plays an important role in your ability to form new memories of events and information.

Question 37

Thalamus

Answer 37

Means inner chamber. Processes and distributes motor information and sensory information going to and from the cerebral cortex. Also regulates levels of awareness, attention, motivation, and emotinoal aspects of sensations.

Question 38

Hypothalamus

Answer 38

Means beneath or below. Size of a peanut. It regulates both divisions of the autonomic nervous system, increasing and decreasing such functions as heart rate and blood pressure. It also helps regulate a variety of behaviors related to survival, such as eating, drinking, frequency of sexual activity, fear, and aggression.