Exam 3: Neuroscience

Question 1

Sensation

Answer 1

The process of detecting external or internal stimulation (e.g., light, sound, body temperature).

Question 2

Transduction

Answer 2

The conversion of physical energy from the environment into neural signals.

Question 3

Perception

Answer 3

The interpretation of sensory input by the brain to form a meaningful experience.

Question 4

Perceptual set

Answer 4

A mental predisposition that influences what we perceive, based on experiences, expectations, and context.

Question 5

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 5

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Question 6

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 6

The part of the nervous system outside the CNS, connecting it to limbs and organs.

Question 7

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 7

Controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

Question 8

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 8

Regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion.

Question 9

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 9

Prepares the body for stress-related activities (fight or flight).

Question 10

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 10

Restores the body to a calm and composed state (rest and digest).

Question 11

Neuron

Answer 11

A nerve cell that transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.

Question 12

Glial Cells

Answer 12

Supportive cells in the nervous system that nourish and protect neurons.

Question 13

Soma

Answer 13

The cell body of a neuron containing the nucleus.

Question 14

Axon

Answer 14

The long, thin part of a neuron that carries impulses away from the cell body.

Question 15

Dendrites

Answer 15

Branchlike structures that receive messages from other neurons.

Question 16

Myelin Sheath

Answer 16

A fatty coating that insulates axons and speeds up neural transmission.

Question 17

Axon Terminals

Answer 17

The endpoints of an axon where neurotransmitters are released.

Question 18

Absolute Threshold

Answer 18

The minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

Question 19

Difference Threshold

Answer 19

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time.

Question 20

Vision

Answer 20

The sense that allows perception of light, color, and movement through the eyes.

Question 21

Rods And Cones

Answer 21

Photoreceptors in the retina: rods detect light and dark, cones detect color.

Question 22

Optic Nerve

Answer 22

Carries visual information from the retina to the brain.

Question 23

Optic Chiasm

Answer 23

The point where the optic nerves partially cross, enabling visual field processing.

Question 24

Audition

Answer 24

The sense or act of hearing.

Question 25

Pinna

Answer 25

The outer part of the ear that collects sound waves.

Question 26

Hammer (Malleus), Anvil (Incus), And Stirrup (Stapes)

Answer 26

Three small bones in the middle ear that amplify sound vibrations.

Question 27

Tympanic Membrane

Answer 27

Also known as the eardrum; it vibrates in response to sound.

Question 28

Oval Window

Answer 28

A membrane that transmits vibrations from the stirrup to the cochlea.

Question 29

Cochlea

Answer 29

A fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into neural signals.

Question 30

Hair Cells

Answer 30

Sensory receptors in the cochlea that detect sound and initiate neural signals.

Question 31

Auditory Nerve

Answer 31

Transmits auditory information from the cochlea to the brain.

Question 32

Gustation

Answer 32

The sense of taste.

Question 33

Five Basic Taste Qualities

Answer 33

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory).

Question 34

Papillae

Answer 34

Small bumps on the tongue that contain taste buds.

Question 35

Taste Buds

Answer 35

Sensory organs on the tongue that detect taste.

Question 36

Olfaction

Answer 36

The sense of smell.

Question 37

Olfactory Bulb

Answer 37

The brain structure that processes smell information.

Question 38

Mechanoreceptors

Answer 38

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Question 39

Thermoreceptors

Answer 39

Receptors that detect temperature changes.

Question 40

Nociceptors

Answer 40

Receptors that detect pain or harmful stimuli.

Question 41

Resting Potential

Answer 41

The electrical charge of a neuron when it is not active.

Question 42

Action Potential

Answer 42

A brief electrical impulse that travels down an axon.

Question 43

Absolute Refractory Period

Answer 43

A time during which a neuron cannot fire another action potential.

Question 44

Relative Refractory Period

Answer 44

A period following an action potential when a stronger stimulus is needed to trigger another.

Question 45

Neurotransmitter

Answer 45

Chemical messenger that transmits signals across a synapse between neurons.

Question 46

Synapse

Answer 46

The gap between neurons where communication occurs through neurotransmitters.

Question 47

Medulla

Answer 47

Part of the brainstem that controls vital functions like breathing and heartbeat.

Question 48

Pons

Answer 48

A brainstem structure involved in sleep, respiration, and motor control.

Question 49

Reticular Formation

Answer 49

A network of neurons involved in arousal and attention.

Question 50

Cerebellum

Answer 50

The part of the brain responsible for coordination, balance, and fine motor control.

Question 51

Thalamus

Answer 51

The brain's sensory relay station, directing signals to the appropriate areas.

Question 52

Hypothalamus

Answer 52

A brain structure involved in regulating hunger, thirst, body temperature, and the endocrine system.

Question 53

Amygdala

Answer 53

A brain region involved in emotion, especially fear and aggression.

Question 54

Hippocampus

Answer 54

A brain region important for memory formation.

Question 55

Cerebrum (Cortex)

Answer 55

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex thinking, planning, and sensory processing.

Question 56

Frontal Lobe

Answer 56

The brain region associated with reasoning, planning, and voluntary movement.

Question 57

Parietal Lobe

Answer 57

Processes sensory input related to touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.

Question 58

Occipital Lobe

Answer 58

Processes visual information.

Question 59

Temporal Lobe

Answer 59

Processes auditory information and is involved in memory and language.

Question 60

Efferent Neurons

Answer 60

Carry motor commands from the brain to muscles and glands.

Question 61

Afferent Neurons

Answer 61

Carry sensory information from the body to the brain.