Final Exam

Question 1

An atom or group of atoms that has an unpaired (extra) electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive

Answer 1

Free radical

Question 2

Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen

Answer 2

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Question 3

An imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the bodies ability to detoxify the free radicals or repair damage

Answer 3

Oxidative stress

Question 4

Enzyme that is part of the detoxification of reactive oxygen species

Answer 4

Superoxide dismutase (SOD)

Question 5

Aβ peptide in amyloid plaques

Answer 5

Alzheimer’s disease

Question 6

Hyperphosphorylated tau

Answer 6

Neurofibrillary tangles

Question 7

α-synuclein

Answer 7

Lewy bodies

Question 8

Hippocampus, cortical and limbic structures

Answer 8

Alzheimer’s disease

Question 9

Substantia nigra (& linked cortical regions)

Answer 9

Parkinson’s disease

Question 10

Spinal cord (and precentral gyrus -part of the primary motor cortex)

Answer 10

ALS

Question 11

Subcortical brain structures that are crucial in planning, organizing and executing movement, addiction

Answer 11

Basal ganglia

Question 12

Nucleus in the basal ganglia involved in initiating voluntary movement. Contain a lot of dopaminergic neurons

Answer 12

Substantia nigra

Question 13

One of the three major classes of glia in nervous system, controls the ionic environment of neurons and can be involved in neurotransmitter reuptake

Answer 13

Astrocyte

Question 14

Stimulus that produces a natural, automatic reaction; food is the most famous example, but there are many things you respond to without learning

Answer 14

Unconditioned stimulus

Question 15

Previously neutral stimulus that, after repeated association with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits the response produced by the unconditioned stimulus itself

Answer 15

Conditioned stimulus

Question 16

Single neuron (or small number) whose stimulation triggers a specific naturally occurring behavior

Answer 16

Command neuron

Question 17

Activated by changes in environmental temperature

Answer 17

TRP channels

Question 18

Process of synapse elimination

Answer 18

Synaptic pruning

Question 19

Induces gene expression that produces proteins that strengthen the synapse

Answer 19

Long Term Potentiation

Question 20

Structural or functional changes in the nervous system

Answer 20

Plasticity

Question 21

Experience driven reorganization of neural pathways in the brain, forming new connections, strengthening or discarding old ones; increases in myelination speed up nerve conduction velocities strengthening circuits – allows signals to arrive synchronously

Answer 21

Neuroplasticity

Question 22

Cell bodies, uninsulated axons

Answer 22

Gray matter

Question 23

Myelinated axons

Answer 23

White matter

Question 24

Nuclear complex in the temporal lobe whose major functions concern autonomic, emotional and sexual behavior; most often connected with the major emotions such as fear and avoiding situations that induce fear

Answer 24

Amygdala