Chapter 3 - Biological Psychology

Question 1

3 steps of Neurotransmission

Answer 1

1. Release NT
2. Binding of NT
3. Stopping NT activity

Question 2

Action potential

Answer 2

Electrical impulse that travels down the axon, triggering the release of neurotransmitters

Question 3

Amygdala

Answer 3

-[Think “almond” cyanide=fear] -Fear/fear conditioning -Damage: inability to recognize fearful expressions

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

Portion of neuron that sends signals. Long extension leading away from soma -Covered with myelin sheath

Question 5

Axon Hillock

Answer 5

Last site on soma where synaptic inputs are summed before going down axon

Question 6

Axon Terminal

Answer 6

Also terminal button. Knob at the end of the axon. Contains/releases synaptic vessicles filled with neurotransmitters.

Question 7

Absolute Refractory Period

Answer 7

Time when another action potential is impossible -Limits firing rate -AP propagates only in one direction

Question 8

Dendrites

Answer 8

Extensions that receive information from neighbouring neurons

Question 9

Excitatory or Inhibitory action of NT depends on…

Answer 9

where and how much is released

Question 10

Name the four lobes of the cortex

Answer 10

Lobes:

• Frontal
• Parietal
• Temporal
• Occipital

Question 11

Frontal Lobe

Answer 11

Executive functioning

Complex thoughts and process

Motor function

Language

Memory

Broca’s area on left side; important for language;damage causes brocas aphasia or speechlessness)

Question 12

6 steps of action potential.

Answer 12

1. Threshold of excitation; Na+ begins to enters cell; voltage spikes 2. K+ begins to leave cell 3. Na+ channels become refractory; no more Na+ enters cell. 4. K+ continues to leave cell; voltage drops to resting level. 5. K+ channels close; Na+ channels reset 6. Voltage is below resting from extra K+; K+ diffuses away; voltage rises slightly to resting potential

Question 13

Glial cell

Answer 13

cell in nervous system that plays a role in the formation of myelin and the blood–brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory

Question 14

Hippocampus

Answer 14

-[Think “hungry hippos” gathering memories in space] -Memory formation, especially spacial -Contributes to fear conditioning (with Amyg. and PFC)

Question 15

Hypothalamus

Answer 15

-Master regulator of temperature, hunger, thirst, etc -Controls Pituitary gland (master gland) -Controls Oxytocin: love hormone, milk, trust, dilate cervix -Controls Vasoppressin: regulates water retention by kidneys

Question 16

Inside and Outside Neuron in Resting Potential

Answer 16

Outside: Na+

Inside: K+ and negative protein

Question 17

Left Hemisphere Specialization

Answer 17

Language

Logic

Coordinate complex movements

Brocca’s Area: damage; Aphasia/Speech Disorder

Math

Question 18

Myelin Sheath

Answer 18

Glial cells wrapped around axons that act as insulators of the neuron’s signal

Question 19

Myelinating glial cells

Answer 19

Schwann cells (PNS)

Oligodendrocytes (CNS)

Question 20

Define: Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 20

Gaps in myelination on axon where ion flow occurs to regenerate and speed up signal.

“Saltatory conduction”

Question 21

Occipital Lobe

Answer 21

-Associated with vision / visual cortex

Occipital lobe injury: -Blindness -Hallucinations

Question 22

Parietal Lobe

Answer 22

touch information.

Involved in coordinating sensory information Perception of space, and numbers.

Helps track an objects location, shapers, and orientation

Injuries/stroke to parietal lobe

Left: Acalculia (difficulty with numbers and math) -Right: Contralateral neglect (ignore opposite side of body)

Question 23

Presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons

Answer 23

Presynaptic is sending neuron

Postsynaptic is receiving neuron

Question 24

Regarding threshold, intensity in the nervous system overall is communicated by…

Answer 24

the RATE of firing and NUMBER of neurons firing.

Question 25

Intensity of stimulation within a single neuron is communicated by…

Answer 25

the RATE of firing.

Question 26

Resting potential

Answer 26

Electrical charge difference (–60 to–70 millivolts) across the neuronal membrane, when the neuron is not being stimulated or inhibited.

Question 27

Right Hemisphere specialization

Answer 27

Visual and Auditory patterns

Spatial and Orientation

Artistic and Musical

Recognize Emotions

damage: Contralateral neglect (stroke)

Question 28

Define: Soma

Answer 28

-Cell body -Integrates information from dendrites then passes it along axon

Question 29

Synapse

Answer 29

Entire junction where axon terminal communicates with receiving neuron across synaptic cleft -100 trillion of them.

Question 30

Synaptic cleft

Answer 30

A gap into which neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal

Question 31

Synaptic Vesicles

Answer 31

Spherical sac containing neurotransmitters

Question 32

Temporal Lobe

Answer 32

-Hearing and language comprehension -Storing memories of our past

Wernicke’s area damage: -Difficulty understanding speech

Question 33

Action Potentials: 3 Rules

Answer 33

TAA [Think “ta-ta, buh-bye, no stopping me now”]

1. Threshold
2. All-or-none phenomenon
3. Absolute refractory

Question 34

Threshold

Answer 34

Membrane potential necessary to trigger an action potential