Elements of Neurophysiology

Question 1

What are the two broad categories in which the nervous system can be split?

Answer 1

The central nervous system (CNS): spinal cord and brain The peripheral nervous system (PNS): nerves in the body

Question 2

What are the four steps of sensation and perception in order?

Answer 2

1) Transduction 2)Transmission 3) Perception 4) Modulation

Question 3

Transduction

Answer 3

A physical stimulus interacts with a specific receptor located on a peripheral sensory neuron and causes the neuron to fire.

Question 4

Transmission

Answer 4

The signal is transmitted to the brain

Question 5

Transducers

Answer 5

Consists of the receptor and neuron on the peripheral sensory system that transforms the sensation into an electrical signal.`

Question 6

Johannes Muller

Answer 6

A doctrine that says that sensation depends on which receptors are stimulated and not how the receptors would be stimulated.

Question 7

Name the 7 major nerves in the brain.

Answer 7

1) Optic nerve 2) Olfactory nerve 3) Trigeminal Nerve 4) Facial nerve 5) Vestibulocochlear nerve 5) Glossopharynx nerve 6) Vagus nerve

Question 8

How do neurons express the intensity of a stimulus?

Answer 8

The higher the frequency of firing of the neuron, the greater the intensity and vice versa

Question 9

Perception

Answer 9

The signal reaches the cortex and produces a conscious perceptual experience.

Question 10

Optic nerve

Answer 10

Transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. Noticed that it is considered as part of the CNS

Question 11

Olfactory nerve

Answer 11

Conveys special sensory information about the smell.

Question 12

Trigeminal nerve

Answer 12

Pair of nerves that have three (tri) branches (geminal for twins). It has two functions in the face: - Sensory - Motor

Question 13

Facial nerve

Answer 13

Sensations coming from inside the mouth.

Question 14

Vestibulocochlear nerve

Answer 14

Audition and sense of equilibrium.

Question 15

Glossopharynx nerve

Answer 15

Information from the mouth all the way to the pharynx. It is also involved in speech.

Question 16

Vagus nerve

Answer 16

Sensations of organs such as orgasms and feeling your heart pounding.

Question 17

How do neurons express the intensity of a stimulus?

Answer 17

The higher the frequency of firing of the neuron, the greater the intensity and vice versa

Question 18

Name the four main lobes

Answer 18

Temporal lobe,

Frontal lobe,

Occipital lobe,

Parietal lobe

Question 19

Which number represents each of the four main lobes?

Answer 19

1) Frontal lobe
5) Temporal lobe
4) Occipital lobe
3) Parietal lobe

Question 20

Where is the lateral fissure in the brain?

Answer 20

Fissure separating the Temporal lobe (5) and auditory cortex (6) from olfaction (7), frontal lobe (1), the somatosensory cortex (2) and parietal lobe (3).

Question 21

Where is the central fissure in the brain?

Answer 21

Separates the somatosensory cortex (2) and the frontal lobe (1)

Question 22

Modulation

Answer 22

Cognitive factors (expectations, attention,etc) will influence how the sensation is perceived.