Chapter 2: The Biology of Mind

Question 1

biopsychology

Answer 1

everything psychological is simultaneously biological

Question 2

Neurons

Answer 2

basic units of the brain and the rest of the nervous system

Question 3

dendrites

Answer 3

branching extensions at the cell body; receive messages from other neurons

Question 4

axon

Answer 4

carries messages away from the cell body

Question 5

neurotransmitters

Answer 5

chemicals that alter activity in neurons; brain chemicals

Question 6

synapses

Answer 6

microscopic gap between two neurons over which messages pass

Question 7

receptor site

Answer 7

areas on the surface of neurons and other cells that are sensitive to neurotransmitters

Question 8

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 8

neurotransmitter which controls voluntary movement of the muscles

The Black Widow Spider, Botox injections

Question 9

Dopamine

Answer 9

neurotransmitter which affects brain processes that control bodily movement and reward centers

Question 10

too much dopamine

Answer 10

linked with schizophrenia

Question 11

too little dopamine

Answer 11

linked with Parkinson’s

Question 12

Serotonin

Answer 12

neurotransmitter involved with mood, appetite, and sleep induction

Question 13

low levels of serotonin

Answer 13

depression, anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder (DABA)

Question 14

Nerves

Answer 14

large bundles of axons and dendrites

Question 15

Myelin

Answer 15

fatty layer of tissue that coats axons

Question 16

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Answer 16

occurs when myelin layer is destroyed; numbness, weakness, and paralysis occur

Question 17

Nervous system

Answer 17

consists of all the nerve cells; body’s speedy, electrochemical communication system

Question 18

Central Nervous system (CNS)

Answer 18

the brain and spinal cord

Question 19

Peripheral Nervous system (PNS)

Answer 19

the sensory and motor neurons that connect to the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body

Question 20

Somatic System (PNS)

Answer 20

a voluntary system (under conscious control) that makes contact with the outside environment

Question 21

Autonomic System (PNS)

Answer 21

involved in the involuntary control of our internal organs
(ex: heartbeat,digestions, glandular activity); dual system consisting of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Question 22

Sympathetic Nervous System (AS)

Answer 22

GO!

arouses the body, mobilizing the energy in stressful situations; kick-starts defensive action (fight-or-flight)

Question 23

Parasympathetic Nervous System (AS)

Answer 23

STOP!

calms the body, conserving its energy; brings about homeostasis

Question 24

brain and neural networks (CNS)

Answer 24

interconnected neurons from the networks in the brain (complex and modify with growth and experience)

Question 25

Brainstem

Answer 25

begins where the spinal cord enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions

Question 26

Medulla

Answer 26

base of the brainstem that controls heartbeat and breathing

Question 27

Thalamus

Answer 27

brain’s sensory switchboard located on top of the brainstem (senses but not smell)

Question 28

Reticular Formation

Answer 28

nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

Question 29

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Answer 29

part of RF that keeps the cortex active and alert

Question 30

Cerebellum

Answer 30

“little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem; helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance

Question 31

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 31

intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; body’s ultimate control and information processing center

Question 32

temporal lobe

Answer 32

hearing and language

Question 33

occipital lobe

Answer 33

vision

Question 34

parietal lobe

Answer 34

sensation such as touch, temperature, and pressure

Question 35

frontal lobe

Answer 35

sense of smell, motor control, and higher mental abilities such as reasoning and planning

Question 36

Cerebral Hemispheres

Answer 36

right and left halves of the cortex

Question 37

Left hemisphere

Answer 37

verbal processing: language, speech, reading, writing

Question 38

Right hemisphere

Answer 38

nonverbal processing: spatial, musical, visual, recognition

Question 39

Corpus callosum

Answer 39

200 million myelinated axons connect the brain’s hemispheres; provide a pathway for communication between hemispheres (if surgically severed for treatment of epilepsy, hemispheres cannot communicate directly

Question 40

Visual processing

Answer 40

Both eyes send information to both hemispheres.
• BUT, the right half of the visual field goes to the left hemisphere.
• And the left half of the visual field goes to the right hemisphere

Question 41

Aphasia

Answer 41

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impaired speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impaired understanding)

Question 42

Limbic System

Answer 42

associated with emotions such as fear, aggression, and drives for food and sex; includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus

Question 43

Hippocampus

Answer 43

associated with storing memories; helps us navigate through space

Question 44

Amygadala

Answer 44

linked to the emotions of fear and anger

Question 45

Hypothalamus

Answer 45

directs several maintenance activities like eating, drinking, body temperature, and control of emotions

Question 46

plasticity

Answer 46

capacity of the brain to change in response to injury, illness, or experience

Question 47

neurogenesis

Answer 47

production of new brain cells

Question 48

action potential

Answer 48

brief electrical charge that travels down an axon; tells the neuron to release specific neurotransmitters