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

Nervous System, Neurons, and Neurotransmitters Flashcards

1
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord

A

central nervous system (CNS)

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2
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this nervous system transmits signals between the CNS and the rest of the body

A

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

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3
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this nervous system is responsible for voluntary actions and transmits information to the CNS and skeletal muscles

A

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

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4
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this nervous system acts largely unconsciously, is responsible for involuntary actions, and transmits information from the body’s smooth muscles and organs to & from the CNS

A

autonomic

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5
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is divided into these 2 nervous systems

A

sympathetic & parasympathetic

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6
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

during the body’s fight-flight response, this nervous system causes the following:

  • pupil dilation
  • sweating
  • increased heart & respiration rates
  • inhibits digestion & sexual activity
A

sympathetic

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7
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

During a stress response, this nervous system is responsible for the following:
* rest & relaxation
* returning the body to it’s pre-emergency state

A

parasympathetic

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8
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

Regarding male sexual response, the parasympathetic nervous system is necessary for (erection/ejaculation) and the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for (erection/ejaculation)

A

erection; ejaculation

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9
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this nervous system contains two types of cells: neurons & glia

A

central

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10
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this type of cell is responsible for communicating information within the nervous system

A

neurons

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11
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this type of cell serves several functions, including providing neurons with:
* structural support
* insulation
* nutrients

A

glia

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12
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

a term referring to an electrochemical process that begins when a neuron’s dendrites receive sufficient stimulation from other neurons

A

conduction

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13
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

the state of a neuron when the fluid inside the cell is negatively charged relative to the fluid outside the cell

A

resting (state)

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14
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

describe the process that occurs when a neuron is sufficiently stimulated

A
  • channels in the cell membrane open
  • allowing positively charged sodium ions to enter the cell
  • the neuron becomes depolarized (less negative)
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15
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

the process when a neuron reaches the minimum threshold of stimulation

A

action potential (when complete depolarization triggers an electrical impulse)

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16
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

term used to describe a chemical transmission that begins when an action potential reaches the axon terminal

A

synaptic transmission

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17
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

synaptic transmission causes the release of a this into the synapse

A

a neurotransmitter

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18
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

term(s) for the effect on a neuron increasing and decreasing the likelihood that an action potential will occur

A

excitatory & inhibitory

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19
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

describe how neurotransmitters are inactivated

A
  • being absorbed by the presynaptic neuron
  • being broken down by an enzyme
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20
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

the following are 4 types of this nervous system function

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

A

neuroplasticity

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21
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

during this process a particular area of the brain responds to early damage by shifting the functions of the damaged area to the corresponding area in the opposite hemisphere

A

homologous area adaption plasticity

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22
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

name a drawback of homologous area adaptation plasticity

A

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

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23
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

the process by which 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 (i.e., are reassigned)

ex: someone who is blind

A

cross-modal reassignment plasticity

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24
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

term used to describe the temporary or permanent enlargement of a functioning cortical region as a result of practice or exercise

ex. when a musician who practices a specific instrument regularly, sees an enlargement of the brain area dedicated to controlling the fingers used to play that instrument

A

map expansion plasticity

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25
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

map expansion plasticity involves this neuronal process

A

recruiting neurons from the borders of that region

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26
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

during this process 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

ex. using landmarks to navigate when sense of direction is damaged

A

compensatory masquerade plasticity

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27
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

the neuronal area that small-molecule neurotransmitters are synthesized and stored in

A

axon terminal

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28
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

these hormones are synthesized in the cell body and transmitted to the axon terminal

A

neuropeptides

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29
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

name 2 neuropeptides that are endogenous opioids with analgesic and euphoric effects

A

enkephalin and endorphin

30
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this neurotransmitter is both excitatory and inhibitory and contributes to movement, motivation, and reward

A

dopamine

31
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

dopamine is released in this area of the brain

A

mesolimbic pathway

32
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

Parkinson’s disease has been linked to low levels of dopamine in this area of the brain

A

substantia nigra

33
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

ADHD has been linked to low levels of dopamine in this area of the brain

A

prefrontal cortex

34
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

Tourette’s disorder has been linked to high levels of dopamine in these areas of the brain

A

caudate nucleus & basal ganglia

35
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

According to this concept, an excess of dopamine in subcortical areas is linked to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia

A

dopamine hypothesis

36
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

According to this concept, a deficiency of dopamine in cortical regions of the brain is linked to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia

A

dopamine hypothesis

37
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this neurotransmitter is both excitatory and inhibitory and is involved in movement, muscle contraction, memory, and learning

A

acetylcholine (ACh)

38
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this autoimmune, neuromuscular disease causes weakness in voluntary muscles by blocking and/or destroying acetylcholine (ACh; responsible for muscle contractions) receptors at neuromuscular junctions

A

Myasthenia gravis

39
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

Alzheimer’s has been linked to early memory loss due to low levels of ACh in these 2 areas of the brain

A

entorhinal cortex &
hippocampus

40
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this neurotransmitter is an excitatory neurotransmitter and contributes to learning and memory, cognition, mood regulation.

A

glutamate

41
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

term used to describe excessive glutamate that causes cell damage and death

A

glutamate excitotoxicity

42
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

these disorders are linked to excitotoxicity

physical health

A
  • stroke & seizures
  • Huntington’s , Parkinson’s, & Alzheimer’s
43
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this neurotransmitter is an excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in arousal, alertness, and fight- or flight-response / stress

A

norepinephrine

44
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

According to the catecholamine hypothesis, some forms of depression are caused by a deficiency of this neurotransmitter, while mania is due to excessive levels

A

norepinephrine

45
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

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

A

serotonin

46
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

low levels of this neurotransmitter has been linked to depression, increased risk for suicide, bulimia nervosa, OCD, and migraine headaches

A

serotonin

47
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

higher brain levels of serotonin have been linked increased anxiety and obsessive thinking characteristic of this mental health disorder

A

anorexia nervosa

48
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

higher-than-normal blood levels of this neurotransmitter have been found in individuals with enlarged cerebral ventricles and/or cerebral atrophy, autism, and chronic schizophrenia

A

serotonin

49
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this neurotransmitter is a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter and is involved in motor control, relaxation, arousal, memory, and sleep

A

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

50
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

higher levels of this neurotransmitter can cause memory impairment and daytime drowsiness

A

GABA

51
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

lower levels of this neurotransmitter can cause anxiety and insomnia

A

GABA

52
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

abnormal levels of GABA have been associated with these mental health disorders?

A
  • MDD
  • bipolar
  • panic disorder
  • GAD
  • PTSD
  • schizophrenia
  • autism
53
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

term used to describe medication that mimics or increases the effects of a neurotransmitter

A

agonists

54
Q

this type of agonists attaches to receptor sites and acts like neurotransmitters

A

direct

55
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this type of agonist increases the availability of a neurotransmitter but does not attach to receptor sites

A

indirect

56
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this type of agonist produces effects that are similar to (but weaker than) the effects of a neurotransmitter

A

partial agonists

57
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this type of agonist produces effects that are the opposite of the effects of a neurotransmitter

A

inverse

58
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

term used to describe medication that does not produce any effects on its own but blocks or reduces the effects of a neurotransmitter

A

Antagonists

59
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

a type of antagonist that binds to and blocks receptors, thereby preventing a neurotransmitter from attaching to the receptors

A

direct antagonist

60
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

type of antagonist that prevents the production or release of a neurotransmitter by presynaptic cells

A

indirect

61
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

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

A

acetylcholine (ACh)

62
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

the primary function of this protective cover is to increase the speed of nerve impulses

A

myelin sheath

63
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

this neurotransmitter is inhibitory neurotransmitter and low levels have been linked to chronic insomnia and anxiety disorders

A

GABA

64
Q

Nervous System, Neurons, Neurotransmitters

Stimulus intensity is encoded by the frequency of this process

A

action potentials

65
Q

The primary function of the myelin sheath is to:

a) increase the speed of nerve impulses
b) increase the size of the action potential
c) failitate synaptic transmission
d) facilitate neurogenesis

A

a) increase the speed of nerve impulses

The myelin sheath is a fatty substance that insulates and increases the speed of nerve impulses in the axons of neurons.

66
Q

a drug that increases which of the following is likelyt to be most effective in treating OCD:

a) serotonin
b) acetylcholine
c) norephinephrine
d) GABA

A

a) serotonin

Knowing that SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) would have helped you identify the correct answer to this question. Note that, while OCD has been most consistently linked to low levels of serotonin, there’s also research linking it to abnormal levels of dopamine and glutamate.

67
Q

Stimulus intensity is encoded by:
a) the intensity of action potentials
b) the frequency of action potentials
c) the intensity & frequency of action potentials
d) neither the intensity & frequency of action potentials

A

b) the frequency of action potentials

Action potentials are all-or-none responses which means they either occur or don’t occur and, when they occur, they have the same intensity. Consequently, stimulus intensity is not determined by the intensity of an action potential but by the frequency of the action potentials generated by a neuron and/or by the number of neurons that generate action potentials.

68
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) antagonist
b) inverse agonist
c) partial agonist
d) agonist

A

d) agonist

69
Q
A
70
Q

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

a) dopamine
b) acetylcholine
c) GABA
d) glutamate

A

c) GABA

ow levels of GABA have been linked to insomnia, seizures, and anxiety, and benzodiazepines reduce anxiety and induce sleep by amplifying its effects.

71
Q
A

Physiological Psychology (7 decks)

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