Neuro psych Quiz 2.1

Question 1

Synapse

Answer 1

a specialized gap between neurons (named by Charles Sherrington)

Question 2

reflexes

Answer 2

automatic muscular responses to stimuli

Question 3

reflex arc

Answer 3

the circuit from sensory neuron to muscle response

Question 4

what is faster, reflexes or conduction along an axon

Answer 4

conduction along an axon

Question 5

What is stronger, several weak stimuli presented at nearby places or times or one stimulus alone?

Answer 5

Several weak stimuli presented at nearby places or times

Question 6

What happens when one set of muscles becomes excited?

Answer 6

A different set of muscles becomes relaxed

Question 7

What led Sherrington to conclude that transmission at a synapse is different from transmission along an axon?

Answer 7

because a reflex arc was slower than the velocity of an action potential along an axon

Question 8

temporal summation

Answer 8

repeated stimuli within a brief time have a cumulative effect

Question 9

Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)

Answer 9

a graded depolarization that results from sodium ions flowing into the neuron.

Question 10

Spatial summation

Answer 10

when synaptic inputs from separate locations combine their effects on a neuron.

Question 11

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)

Answer 11

temporary hyperpolarization. when synaptic input selectively opens the gates for potassium ions to leave the cell or for chloride ions to enter the cell

Question 12

What was Sherrington’s evidence for inhibition in the nervous system?

Answer 12

because he found that a reflex that stimulates a flexor muscle prevents contraction of the extensor muscles of the same limb

Question 13

What ion gates in the membrane open during an EPSP and what during IPSP?

Answer 13

During EPSP sodium gates open. During IPSP potassium or chloride gates open

Question 14

Can an inhibitory message flow along an axon?

Answer 14

No, only action potentials propagate along an axon. IPSPS decay over time and distance

Question 15

Spontaneous firing rate

Answer 15

a periodic production of action potentials even without synaptic input.

Question 16

In what ways were Sherrington’s conclusions important for psychology and neuroscience?

Answer 16

He demonstrated the importance of inhibition

Question 17

What was Leowi’s evidence that neurotransmission depends on the release of chemicals?

Answer 17

Through the frog experiment where he could change its heart rate with fluids