lecture 3: the biology of mind

Question 1

describe and label the structure, including its components and functions, of the neuron

Answer 1

check phone or slides for lecture 3 in BB

Question 2

what is multiple sclerosis?

Answer 2

a chronic disease of the central nervous system.

Question 3

what is the main function of a neuron?

Answer 3

communication- send and receive information (ex. reflex)

Question 4

describe an action potential

Answer 4

travels the length of the axon and causes release of neurotransmitter into the synapse. The action potential and consequent transmitter release allow the neuron to communicate with other neurons.

Question 5

what is needed for an action potential to occur?

Answer 5

a depolarizing current

Question 6

how do neurons communicate?

Answer 6

via a combination of electrical and chemical signals.

Question 7

list 5 of the major neurotransmitters from lecture and describe their functions

Answer 7

acetylcholine- muscle action, learning, and memory

dopamine- movement learning, attention, and emotion

serotonin- mood, hunger, sleep, arousal

norepinephrine- alertness and arousal

endorphins- lessen pain an boost mood

Question 8

describe the two effects drugs/medications have on neurotransmitters (ex: agonist and antagonist

Answer 8

agonist- increase effects (opiate), Excite receptor, block reuptake

antagonist- decrease effects (botox)
block receptor

Question 9

summarize the primary functions of the endocrine system.

Answer 9

• hormones are similar to the neural system
• hormones travel through the blood system
• the effects of hormones usually last longer

Question 10

what structures are included in the endocrine system?

Answer 10

hypothalamus.
pituitary.
thyroid.
parathyroids.
adrenals.
pineal body.
the ovaries.
the testes.

Question 11

what are the responsibilities of each structure in the endocrine system?

Answer 11

hypothalamus- maintain homeostatic internal state
pituitary- regulates growth
adrenal gland- secretes adrenaline (epinephrine) which arouses us in times of stress
thyroid- to produce hormones that help regulate the body’s metabolism
parathyroids- make the parathyroid hormone (PTH).
pineal body- to receive information about the state of the light-dark cycle from the environment and convey this information by the production and secretion of the hormone melatonin.
the ovaries- produce eggs for fertilization and they make the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
the testes- making sperm and are also involved in producing a hormone called testosterone

Question 12

how is the brain studied?

Answer 12

through nueroimaging

Question 13

what methods are used when the brain is being studied? give examples

Answer 13

electroencephalogram (EEG), position emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 14

describe the structures functions, and influence on behavior, of the following : “old brain”

Answer 14

regulates basic survival functions, such as breathing, moving, resting, feeding, emotions, and memory.

Question 15

describe the structures functions, and influence on behavior, of the following : the limbic system

Answer 15

hypothalamus- maintain homeostatic internal state

amygdala- relate fear and aggression
(consist of two lima bean-sized neural clusters linked to the emotions of fear and anger)

hippocampus- memory storage

Question 16

describe the structures functions, and influence on behavior, of the following : the cerebral cortex

Answer 16

• ultimate control an information-processing center of the body
• 20-23 billion brain and nerve cells and 300 trillion synaptic connections
• involved in higher mental functions (learning, remembering, thinking, speaking, our mental experiences arise from coordinated brain activity)

Question 17

explain the differences between Borca’s Aphasia and Wernicke’s Aphasia (including which part of the brain is impacted)

Answer 17

Broca’s area (disrupts speaking)
Wernick’s area (disrupts language and comprehension)