Module 3: Alcohol, Recreational Drugs, and Mental Health

Question 1

Parts of the nervous system

Answer 1

-central nervous system
-peripheral nervous system

Question 2

Central nervous system

Answer 2

-the central nervous consists of the brain and spinal cord

Question 3

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 3

-peripheral nervous system contains all nerve fibers outside of the CNS

Question 4

What are neurons

Answer 4

-functional unit of the brain and are capable of generating and transmitting electrical signals

Question 5

Dendrites

Answer 5

-projections of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons

Question 6

Axon

Answer 6

-slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body and towards the next cell in the pathway

Question 7

Myelin sheath

Answer 7

-fatty substance that surrounds nerve cells
-forms a sheath around the axon of the neuron, providing a layer of insulation and increasing rate of transmission along the axon

Question 8

Synapse

Answer 8

-when electrical impulse reaches the end of the axon, enters the synapse
-in this area it transfers from one neuron to the dendrites of a second neuron

Question 9

Structure of the brain

Answer 9

-frontal lobe
-parietal lobe
-temporal lobe
-occipital lobe

Question 10

Frontal lobe

Answer 10

-responsible for higher level cognitive functions and control of voluntary movement

Question 11

Parietal lobe

Answer 11

-processes information about temperature, taste, touch, and movement

Question 12

Temporal lobe

Answer 12

-processes memories, integrating them with sensations of taste, sound, sight, and touch

Question 13

Occipital lobe

Answer 13

-primarily responsible for vision

Question 14

What is the most important brain area that undergoes major development in early adulthood

Answer 14

-frontal lobe

Question 15

What higher level cognitive abilities is the frontal lobe

Answer 15

-planning
-goal-directed behaviour
-decision-making
-complex problem-solving
-cognitive control

Question 16

Grey matter

Answer 16

-mostly found within the cortex of the brain
-it contains neuronal cell bodies and synapses

Question 17

White matter

Answer 17

-mostly found under the cortex and within the cerebrum
-contains myelinated axons

Question 18

Brain development during early adulthood

Answer 18

-peaks in early to middle adulthood
-the amount of grey matter in the brain decreases, and the amount of white matter increases

Question 19

Specific changes in the brain during adulthood

Answer 19

-increased synaptic pruning
-increased myelination
-improved connectivity

Question 20

Increased synaptic pruning

Answer 20

-refers to process where extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency or neuronal transmission

Question 21

Increased myelination

Answer 21

-humans are born with little to no myelin in the CNS
-occurs throughout childhood and into the period of accelerated growth seen during the late teens and early twenties

Question 22

Improved connectivity

Answer 22

-critical for a variety of higher level functions such as learning new complex information, integrating new learning, and applying it