Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physiological Psychology > Nervous System, Neurons, and Neurotransmitters > Flashcards

Nervous System, Neurons, and Neurotransmitters Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

The _______ nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord.

A

central nervous system (CNS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The ___(A)___ nervous system transmits signals between the CNS and the rest of the body and includes the ___(B)___ and ___(C)___ nervous systems.

A

(A) peripheral nervous system (PNS)
(B) somatic nervous system (SNS)
(C) autonomic nervous system (ANS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The somatic nervous system (SNS) is responsible for ___(A)___ actions and transmits information from the body’s ___(B)___ to the CNS and from the CNS to the ___(C)___

A

(A) voluntary
(B) sensory receptors
(C) skeletal muscles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for ___(A)___ actions and transmits information from the body’s ___(B)___ to the CNS and vice versa.

A

(A) involuntary
(B) smooth muscles and organs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is divided into the ___(A)___ and ___(B)___ nervous systems.

A

(A) sympathetic
(B) parasympathetic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

During the body’s fight-flight response, the sympathetic nervous system causes…?

A

pupil dilation, sweating, increased heart & respiration rates, and inhibits digestion & sexual activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

During a stress response, what is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?

A
  • rest & relaxation
  • returning the body to its pre-emergency state
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Regarding male sexual response, the parasympathetic nervous system is necessary for ___(A)___ and the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for ___(B)___.

A

(A) erection
(B) ejaculation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

The nervous system contains two types of cells - ___(A)___ and ___(B)___.

A

(A) neurons
(B) glia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

___(A)___ are responsible for communicating information within the nervous system, while ___(B)___ serve several functions including providing neurons with structural support, insulation, and nutrients.

A

(A) neurons
(B) glia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

___(A)___ of information within neurons is an ___(B)___ process that begins when a neuron’s ___(C)___ receive sufficient stimulation from other neurons.

A

(A) conduction
(B) electrochemical
(C) dendrites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What state is a neuron in if the fluid inside the cell is negatively charged relative to the fluid outside the cell.

A

resting (state)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What happens when a neuron is sufficiently stimulated?

A

channels in the cell membrane open, allowing positively charged sodium ions to enter the cell, causing the neuron to become depolarized (less negative)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What happens when neurons reach the minimum threshold of stimulation?

A

complete depolarization triggers an electrical impulse aka action potential

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Action potential are ______ responses.

A

all-or-none

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Stimulus intensity is encoded by?

A

the frequency of action potentials generated by a neuron and/or the number of neurons that generate action potentials

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Synaptic transmission is usually ___(A)___ and begins when an action potential reaches the ___(B)___.

A

(A) chemical
(B) axon terminal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Synaptic transmission causes the release of a ___(A)___ into the ___(B)___.

A

(A) neurotransmitter
(B) synaptic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Regarding neurotransmitters, what does excitatory or inhibitory effect mean?

A

increasing or decreasing the likelihood that an action potential will occur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How are neurotransmitters inactivated?

A
  • being absorbed by the presynaptic neuron
  • being broken down by an enzyme
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the 4 types of neuroplasticity?

A

1) homologous area adaptation
2) cross-modal reassignment
3) map expansion
4) compensatory masquerade

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What happens during homologous area adaption plasticity?

A

in response to early damage to a particular area of the brain, the functions of that area shift to the corresponding area in the opposite hemisphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is a drawback of homologous area adaptation plasticity?

A

pre-existing functions of the corresponding area may be negative affected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What happens during cross-modal reassignment plasticity? (ex: someone who is blind)

A

a brain area that is responsible for processing a particular type of sensory input is deprived of that input, as a result, the function of the neurons in that area changes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is map expansion plasticity?

A

the temporary or permanent enlargement of a functioning cortical region as a result of practice or exercise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Map expansion plasticity involves ___(A)___ neurons from ___(B)___.

A

(A) recruiting
(B) the borders of that region

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is a practical example of map expansion plasticity?

A

learning and practicing a new skill, such as playing a musical instrument

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What happens during compensatory masquerade plasticity?

A

the brain figures out an alternative strategy for carrying out a task when the initial strategy cannot be followed due to damage or impairment to an area responsible for that task.

29
Q

Small-molecule neurotransmitters are synthesized and stored in the ______.

A

axon terminal

30
Q

Neuropeptides are synthesized in the ___(A)___ and transmitted to the ___(B)___.

A

(A) cell body
(B) axon terminal

31
Q

Neuropeptides that are endogenous opioids with analgesic and euphoric effects

A

enkephalin and endorphin

32
Q

______ is both excitatory and inhibitory and contributes to movement, personality, mood, sleep, motivation, and reward.

A

Dopamine

33
Q

Dopamine is released in the ____.

A

mesolimbic pathway

34
Q

A low level of dopamine in the ______ has been linked to Parkinson’s disease.

A

substantia nigra

35
Q

A low level of dopamine in the ______ has been linked to ADHD.

A

prefrontal cortex

36
Q

A high level of dopamine in the _____ has been linked to Tourette’s disorder.

A

caudate nucleus

37
Q

According to the dopamine hypothesis, an excess of dopamine in ___(A)___ regions is linked to the ___(B)___ symptoms of schizophrenia.

A

(A) subcortical areas
(B) positive (symptoms)

38
Q

According to the dopamine hypothesis, a deficiency of dopamine in ___(A)___ regions is linked to the ___(B)___ symptoms of schizophrenia.

A

(A) cortical
(B) negative

39
Q

_______ is both excitatory and inhibitory and is involved in movement, arousal, attention, and memory.

A

Acetylcholine (ACh)

40
Q

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness by destroying ___(A)___ receptors at ___(B)___.

A

(A) ACh
(B) neuromuscular junctions

41
Q

Low levels of ACh in the ___(A)___ and ___(B)___ have been linked to the early memory loss associated with ___(C)___ disease.

A

(A) entorhinal cortex
(B) hippocampus
(C) Alzheimer’s

42
Q

______ is an excitatory neurotransmitter and contributes to movement, emotions, learning, and memory.

A

Glutamate

43
Q

Name for excessive glutamate that causes cell damage and death?

A

glutamate excitotoxicity

44
Q

What disorders are linked to excitotoxicity?

A
  • stroke & seizures
  • Huntington’s , Parkinson’s, & Alzheimer’s
45
Q

____ is an excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in arousal, attention, learning, memory, stress, and mood.

A

Norepinephrine

46
Q

According to the catecholamine hypothesis, some forms of ___(A)___ are caused by a ___(B)___ of norepinephrine, while ___(C)___ is due to excessive norepinephrine.

A

(A) depression
(B) deficiency
(C) mania

47
Q

____, aka 5-hydroxytryptamine (or 5-HT), has an inhibitory effect and plays a role in many functions including arousal, sleep, sexual activity, mood, appetite, and pain.

A

Serotonin

48
Q

_____ levels of serotonin in certain areas of the brain have been linked to depression, increased risk for suicide, bulimia nervosa, OCD, and migraine headaches.

A

Low (levels)

49
Q

Evidence that people with anorexia nervosa have ___(A)____ brain levels of ___(B)___ that cause anxiety and obsessive thinking and that food restriction ___(C)___ levels which alleviates these symptoms

A

(A) higher
(B) serotonin
(C) lowers serotonin

50
Q

Higher-than-normal blood levels of serotonin have been found in individuals with ___(A)___ and ___(B)___ and in people who also have enlarged cerebral ventricles and/or cerebral atrophy.

A

(A) autism
(B) chronic schizophrenia

51
Q

____ is a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter and is involved in motor control, memory, mood, anxiety, arousal, and sleep

A

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

52
Q

_____ levels of GABA can cause memory impairment and daytime drowsiness,

A

higher

53
Q

____ levels of GABA can cause anxiety and insomnia.

A

lower

54
Q

Abnormal levels of GABA have been associated with what disorders?

A
  • MDD
  • bipolar
  • panic disorder
  • GAD
  • PTSD
  • schizophrenia
  • autism
55
Q

____ mimic or increase the effects of a neurotransmitter. Some authors distinguish between direct and indirect

A

Agonists

56
Q

_____ agonists attach to receptor sites and act like neurotransmitters

A

Direct

57
Q

______ agonists increase the availability of a neurotransmitter but do not attach to receptor sites

A

Indirect

58
Q

________ produce effects that are similar to (but weaker than) the effects of a neurotransmitter

A

Partial agonists

59
Q

_____ produce effects that are the opposite of the effects of a neurotransmitter or agonist

A

Inverse agonists

60
Q

_______ do not produce any effects on their own but block or reduce the effects of a neurotransmitter or agonist

A

Antagonists

61
Q

A(n) ______ binds to and blocks receptors, thereby preventing a neurotransmitter from attaching to the receptors.

A

direct antagonist

62
Q

A(n) ______ prevents the production or release of a neurotransmitter by presynaptic cells.

A

indirect antagonist

63
Q

Memory loss during the initial stage of Alzheimer’s disease has been most consistently linked to low levels of __________ in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus.

A

Acetylcholine (ACh)

64
Q

A drug that has the same effects as a neurotransmitter or that increases the effects of a neurotransmitter is referred to as a(n):

A

agonist

65
Q

The primary function of the myelin sheath is to:

A

increase the speed of nerve impulses

66
Q

The somatic nervous system conveys information from the sense organs to the central nervous system and from the central nervous system to:

A

the skeletal muscles.

67
Q

A drug that increases which of the following is likely to be most effective as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

A

serotonin

68
Q

________ is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and low levels have been linked to chronic insomnia and anxiety disorders.

A

GABA

69
Q

Stimulus intensity is encoded by:

A

the frequency of action potentials.

Physiological Psychology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions