Neuropsychology

Question 1

What is the definition of psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of behaviour and the mind.

Question 2

Explain the meaning of informed consent for research.

Answer 2

Participants must be made aware of the aim of the research and all procedures. No coercion is allowed, and they must know their rights to withdraw at any time without penalty.

Question 3

In what way might someone with a mental disorder be vulnerable to giving informed consent?

Answer 3

They may not fully understand the aim or risks of being involved, so whilst they may give permission, the information about the research may not have been understood by them.

Question 4

What is an ethical standard or guideline that helps protect research participants who may be vulnerable?

Answer 4

Do no harm – it is the researcher’s responsibility to ensure that no participant is harmed in any way, particularly those that are vulnerable.

Question 5

What three parts of the body comprise the nervous system?

Answer 5

Brain, spinal cord, nerves.

Question 6

What are the two parts of the nervous system.

Answer 6

• Peripheral nervous system
• central nervous system

Question 7

What does the central nervous system comprise of

Answer 7

brain and spinal cord

Question 8

What does the peripheral nervous system comprise of

Answer 8

Autonomic nervous system (communicates with internal organs and glands)
Somatic nervous system (communicates with sense organs and voluntary muscles)
made up of nerve fibers leading from the spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Question 9

What does the somatic nervous system comprise of

Answer 9

sensory nervous system (sensory input)
motor nervous system (motor output)

Question 10

What does the autonomic nervous system comprise of

Answer 10

Sympathetic division (arousing)- fight or flight responses
Parasympathetic division (calming)- returns the body back to normal after these experiences.

Question 11

In what main way is the functioning of the autonomic nervous system different from other divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 11

It does not require conscious thought to function, and it communicates with internal organs and glands.

Question 12

The brain sends and receives two kinds of messages. Describe what Motor messages are

Answer 12

Instructions from the brain to move muscles and limbs

Question 13

Explain why the autonomous nervous system is referred to as ‘autonomous’.

Answer 13

Because it does not require conscious thought, the reactions by this system happen automatically as a result of sensory input.

Question 14

The brain sends and receives two kinds of messages. Describe what Sensory messages helps the body do

Answer 14

Relay information from the 5 senses to the brain for interpreting

Question 15

What is the role in the sympathetic nervous system in enhancing survival?

Answer 15

Heightens the body’s senses to assist in seeing, hearing , and feeling what is going on around us. This in turn helps us make quicker and more informed decisions in order to increase our chance of survival.

Question 16

What is a Neuron?

Answer 16

A specific type of cell that makes up the Nervous System.

Question 17

In what ways are the structure and function of dendrites different from axon terminals?

Answer 17

Dendrites are thinner and longer allowing for the action potential to be received from a previous neuron. Axon terminals are fewer and thicker, ready to pass an action potential (or message) on to the next neuron.

Question 18

Explain the specific function of motor neurons, sensory neurons, and interneurons.

Answer 18

Motor – send messages to the muscles and limbs to move
Sensory – send messages from the sense organs to the brain
Interneurons – relay messages to the spinal cord and brain from other neurons.

Question 19

Draw and label a diagram of a neuron, showing the key features.

Answer 19

top to bottom:
dendrite, nucleus, soma, Schwann cell, axon, node of Ranvier, myelin, axon terminals.

Question 20

Identify the hemisphere that specializes in each of the following functions.
a. appreciating the beauty of a sunset
b. Judging whether a car will fit in a space
c. Kicking a football with the left foot
d. listening to someone speak
e. Applying logic in an argument
f. working out if you have enough money to take a holiday
g. daydreaming about being rich and famous
h. finding your way around a maze
i. speaking on the telephone
j. playing golf in a video game
k. playing scrabble
l. working out the meaning of the expression on someone’s face
m. arranging a bouquet of flowers
n. giving the correct change for a purchase
o. recognizing classmates from an old photo
p. working out what time to get up to make an appointment
q. raising your right hand to answer a question in class

Answer 20

a. R
b. R
c. R
d. L
e. L
f. L
g. R
h. L
i. L
j. R
k. L
l. R
m. R
n. L
o. R
p. L
q. L

Question 21

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 21

Control of coordination and balance in the body.

Question 22

Following a head injury sustained in a car accident, Sofia is unable to feel any sensation of touch or temperature in the left side of her face between her cheeks and lower jaw. Fortunately, Sofia did not injure her spine in the accident.
a. Which cortex of the brain is likely to have been affected?

b. Explain your reason for this answer.

c. In which lobe is this area located?

Answer 22

a. sensory cortex
b. This cortex is responsible for those sensations, so being unable to feel them implies that it has been damaged.
c. Temporal Lobe

Question 23

What is ‘myelination’ and when does it start and end?

Answer 23

The process of myelin growing on neuron axons. It begins before birth (in utero) and ands at around 2 years of age.

Question 24

How might damage to interneurons affect the spinal reflex arc?

Answer 24

If interneurons are damaged, it may mean that reflex messages (such as removing a hand from a flame) might be slowed down aa interneurons are the ones that relay the sensory signal to the motor neurons so the person would not move their hand

Question 25

What is synaptic pruning? Why does it occur at around 2 to 4 years of age?

Answer 25

When pathways that are not being used are ‘pruned’ from the brain. Between 2 and 4 years of age, a child’s brain finds the best pathway to complete certain tasks (like running and holding cutlery) and that is strengthened whilst other pathways become unused and are pruned.

Question 26

Distinguish the difference between a neuron and a nerve.

Answer 26

A neuron is a single cell, while a nerve is a bundle of similar neurons bundled together. (eg motor neurons together make a nerve in a muscle group).

Question 27

State three ways in which the brain in protected from injury.

Answer 27

Skull, scalp/hair, and meninges (internal fluid layers)

Question 28

Identify which of the following would be reflex reactions: a. Coughing b. sneezing c. reading d. cycling e. writing f. blinking

Answer 28

a. R B. R c. not a R d. not an R e. not an R f. R

Question 29

Define the difference between grey matter and white matter, and state which makes up the largest percentage of the brain’s mass.

Answer 29

Grey matter is composed of the dendrites and axon terminals of neurons in the brain, while the white matter is the myelinated axons or tails of each neuron.

Question 30

What is the difference between a complete and an incomplete spinal injury?

Answer 30

A complete spinal injury means that no messages can get through to lower areas ,while an incomplete injury means that some messages (either motor or sensory) might get through.

Question 31

List three ways a person could acquire a brain injury that is: a. Non-traumatic b. Traumatic

Answer 31

a. Infection, Stroke, Diabetic Coma b. Falls, car accident, domestic violence

Question 32

State the five sections of the spinal cord and the number of nerves or vertebrae in each.

Answer 32

Cervical (8), Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5), Sacral (5), Coccygeal (1)

Question 33

If a person suffered a complete injury to the spinal cord at these vertebrae, determine whether the result would be (Q) Quadriplegia, (P) Paraplegia, or (N) no loss of limb function. a. T-6 b. C-2 c. L-3 d. C-6 e. T-2 f. L-5

Answer 33

a. P b. Q c. N minimal use of legs d. P minimal use of arms e. P minimal use of arms f. N affected use of legs

Question 34

What are the four areas that may show symptoms in a person suffering a concussion?

Answer 34

Physical (nausea, dizziness, headaches) Emotions (intense emotions, depression, anxiety) Thinking and remembering (trouble concentrating, heavy fog) Sleep (a lot more or less than usual)

Question 35

Explain the two parts involved in classifying brain injuries.

Answer 35

Glasgow Coma Score – a score based on the best eye, verbal, and motor responses The amount of time a person was unconscious.

Question 36

What are the main structures and functions of the hind brain

Answer 36

a. Cerebellum b. Brain stem c. Pons d. Medulla a. Coordination, balance, and breathing b. Vital life functions (including heartbeat and blood pressure) c. Connects the cerebellum and cerebrum – messages d. Involuntary life sustaining function – breathing, swallowing, heart rate, connects brain to spinal cord.

Question 37

What are the main structures and functions of the midbrain

Answer 37

Thalamus Hypothalamus Amygdala Hippocampus Pituitary Gland Relays visual and auditory information Regulates body temperature, sleep and appetite Processes senses, emotional memories Forming memories and connecting emotions Links nervous system to hormones in the body

Question 38

What are the main structures and functions of the forebrain

Answer 38

Cerebrum (lobes and cortexes) Conscious brain functions, such as thoughts and actions

Question 39

Name 10 parts of the brain

Answer 39

1. Temporal Lobe 2. Broca’s Area (Speech) 3. Frontal Lobe 4. Motor Cortex 5. Sensory Cortex 6. Parietal Lobe 7. Occipital Lobe 8. Visual Cortex 9. Wernicke’s Area (Speech Comprehension) 10. Auditory Cortex

Question 40

what protects the brain

Answer 40

cranium (skull) hard protection dura mater- tough mother arachnoid mater- blood vessels are in this layer, softer, like a complex spider web. subarachnoid space- contains cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) pia mater- innermost meninges layers, closest to brain tissue, also contains blood vessels.

Question 41

what is cerebral spinal fluid

Answer 41

a clear watery substance produced in the ventricles that surrounds the brain and spinal cord to be a cushion and prevent injury.

Question 42

what is the medical condition where there is a buildup of CSF in the ventricles

Answer 42

hydrocephalus

Question 43

what is the spinal cord

Answer 43

a long fragile tubelike structure that begins at the end of the brain stem and continues down almost to the bottom of the spine. it consists of nerves that carry incoming and outgoing messages between the brain and rest of the body.

Question 44

what are the 5 parts of the spinal cord

Answer 44

1. cervical cord 2. thoracic cord 3. lumbar cord 4. sacral cord 5. coccygeal

Question 45

what is the developing fetal brain composed of

Answer 45

forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain

Question 46

what are the 6 parts of the brain

Answer 46

frontal lobe parietal lobe occipital lobe temporal lobe brain stem

Question 47

what are the functions of the frontal lobe

Answer 47

thinking, speaking, memory, movement

Question 48

what are functions of the parietal lobe

Answer 48

language, touch, taste, smell

Question 49

what are functions of the occipital lobe

Answer 49

vision, colour, letters, left/right

Question 50

what are the functions of the cerebellum

Answer 50

balance, coordination

Question 51

what are the functions of the brain stem

Answer 51

breathing, heart rate, temperature, blood pressure

Question 52

what is the cortex

Answer 52

the outer layer of the cerebrum composed of folded grey matter and playing an important role in consciousness.

Question 53

what happens in the Wernicke's area

Answer 53

comprehension of speech and written language

Question 54

what happens in Broca's area

Answer 54

production of speech and written language

Question 55

what is the brain stem responsible for

Answer 55

basic life functions that support life- breathing, heart rate, blood pressure. damage to this area can cause brain death as the heart and or lungs are no longer able to work on their own.

Question 56

what does the cerebellum control

Answer 56

sub-conscious movements of the skeletal muscles that maintain balance and posture. contains cardiac, respiratory and vasomotor control centers. comprising of about 10% of the brain volume and 50% of the brain's neurons.

Question 57

what is in the diencephalon

Answer 57

thalamus and hypothalamus.

Question 58

what does the thalamus do

Answer 58

relays sensory information except smell to the cerebral cortex. it interprets pain, temperature, light, touch and pressure.

Question 59

what does the hypothalamus do

Answer 59

main function is homeostasis or maintaining equilibrium. monitors water levels, hormone concentrations, blood temperature, regulation of food intake and assists in staying awake or asleep.

Question 60

what and where is the limbic system

Answer 60

located on the medial surface of the temporal lobe, it controls our emotions. olfactory cortex- sense of smell. amygdala- feelings of fear. hippocampus- declarative memory. also controls appetite, sleep patterns and plays a role in motivation.

Question 61

what is the hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Answer 61

if a problem is detected by the hypothalamus, it can do one of two things. send a neural message to the autonomic nervous system. send a chemical signal via the blood stream, to the pituitary gland. the pituitary gland secretes hormones into the blood stream, so the hypothalamus can control every endocrine gland in the body.

Question 62

what are some pituitary hormones

Answer 62

oxytocin, growth, adrenocorticotropic, melanocyte-stimulating, thyroid-stimulating, prolactin, LH and FSH, antidiuretic.

Question 63

how many neurons is the brain composed of

Answer 63

approx. 100 billion

Question 64

how are neurons different from other cells in the body

Answer 64

they are not replaced once they die

Question 65

function of dendrites

Answer 65

receive signals from other cells

Question 66

function of nucleus

Answer 66

controls the entire neuron

Question 67

function of cell body (soma)

Answer 67

organizes and keeps the cell functional

Question 68

function of axon

Answer 68

transfers signals to other cells and organs

Question 69

function myelin sheath

Answer 69

increases the speed of the signal

Question 70

axon terminal

Answer 70

forms junctions with other cells

Question 71

Schwann cell function

Answer 71

produces the myelin sheath

Question 72

node of Ranvier function

Answer 72

allow diffusion of ions

Question 73

function of axon hillock

Answer 73

generates impulse in the neuron

Question 74

function of cell membrane

Answer 74

protects the cell

Question 75

what is white matter

Answer 75

is made of the bundles of axons that connect the areas of grey matter

Question 76

what is grey matter

Answer 76

is made of the dendrites and cell bodies where the interactions occur.

Question 77

what is myelin

Answer 77

a fatty substance that surrounds nerve cell axons to insulate them and increase the rate at which electric impulses called action potentials are passed along the axon.

Question 78

what is myelination

Answer 78

the process of developing this insulation beginning before birth and continuing into adulthood.

Question 79

how do nerve impulses work

Answer 79

they begin with receptors at the dendrite and travels through the cell body to the axon terminal. at the axon terminal, dendrites from neighboring neurons are close. the nerve impulse causes the release of a neurotransmitter that travels across the synapse to the next dendrite and the nerve impulse continues.

Question 80

what is a synapse

Answer 80

the junction between two neurons is called a synapse. it forms a physical gap between the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons. an action potential cannot cross the synaptic gap, so it triggers a release of neurotransmitters to continue the signal.

Question 81

what are neurotransmitters

Answer 81

chemicals which are passed from the axon terminals of one neuron to the receptor sites of the dendrites of the next neuron through a synapse. they play a role in the way we behave, learn, feel and mental illnesses.

Question 82

what are gross motor skills

Answer 82

they involve the use of large muscles for activities like rolling over, crawling, sitting, standing, and walking. these actions typically progress in a predictable sequence, with each milestone building on the previous one.

Question 83

what are fine motor skills

Answer 83

they involve the use of small muscles for tasks such as grasping objects, manipulating toys, and eventually writing. babies start grasping objects reflexively and progress to more deliberate and controlled hand movements as hand-eye coordination improves. This development is essential for activities like reaching, grabbing, and eventually self-feeding.

Question 84

what do motor neurons control

Answer 84

activity of skeletal muscles, smooth muscles and gland. they send information out of the nervous system into the muscles and glands

Question 85

what do sensory neurons do

Answer 85

these extend from the body to the nervous system. they relay information from the sense organs

Question 86

what do inter-neurons do

Answer 86

they provide connections between other types of neurons. they lie within both the brain and spinal cord

Question 87

what are principal neurons

Answer 87

found in the brain. they send messages to other areas of the brain

Question 88

what is the sleep neurotransmitter

Answer 88

serotonin

Question 89

what do endorphins do

Answer 89

involved in pain relief and feelings of contentless

Question 90

what is the love neurontransmitter

Answer 90

oxytocin

Question 91

what is the mnemonic device for the spine

Answer 91

breakfast food is CEReal big chested super-hero THORacic after dinner you sLUMBAR bowel talk is SACred

Question 92

what is the definition of brain damage

Answer 92

injury or harm, congenital or acquired to the tissues of the brain resulting from inadequate oxygen supply, trauma, or other cause.

Question 93

what is a primary TBI

Answer 93

damage is immediate and directly related to the cause of the incident. e.g bleeding in the brain caused by a strike to the head.

Question 94

what is a secondary TBI

Answer 94

damage may not appear or become apparent until hours, days or weeks later because it is due to reactive processes arising from the brain trauma e.g. damage due to swelling or a pressure build up.

Question 95

what is a penetrating or open TBI

Answer 95

penetrating injuries or skull fractures.

Question 96

what is a non-penetrating TBI

Answer 96

injury results from the movement of the brain within the skull in response to an internal force. internal pressure or shearing.

Question 97

what are the traumatic brain injury classifications

Answer 97

mild- concussion, loss of consciousness for 15 minutes or less, feeling dazed moderate- loss of consciousness for 15 minutes to a few hours, days or weeks of confusions. severe- loss of consciousness for 6 hours or longer, may be in a coma

Question 98

what are incomplete and complete spinal injuries

Answer 98

incomplete: allow some messages to get through but these vary in each case. complete: no sensory or motor function below the level of injury.

Question 99

what four descriptions do doctors use to explain the severity of a spinal cord injury

Answer 99

location of the injury amount of damage to the spinal cord extent of paralysis ASIA scale score.

Question 100

what is quadriplegia

Answer 100

loss of normal function in all four limbs C1- C8

Question 101

What is paraplegia

Answer 101

loss of normal function in the legs; full control and feeling in the arms and hands T1-12 L1-5

Question 102

what are psychoactive drugs

Answer 102

drugs that affect a person's mental state, whether prescribed or taken for recreational purposes.

Question 103

what are the three main groups of psychoactive drugs

Answer 103

depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens

Question 104

what is the nucleus accumbens and where is it located

Answer 104

is found in an area of the brain called the basal forebrain plays a role in the reward circuit of the brain.

Question 105

what does the motor cortex do and where is it located

Answer 105

it sends a message that directs the muscles in your arm and hand to reach out towards something. it is located at the top in the parietal lobe Infront of the sensory cortex

Question 106

what does the sensory cortex do and where is it located

Answer 106

it assesses the information delivered through your touch, like judging it temperature. It is located at the top in the parietal lobe behind of the motor cortex

Question 107

what does the visual cortex do

Answer 107

allows you to receive, process and interpret what you are seeing/ visual information to make sense of what we are seeing

Question 108

what does the auditory cortex do

Answer 108

processes auditory information

Question 109

what does the olfactory cortex do

Answer 109

Vital for the processing and perception of odor

Question 110

what does the gustatory cortex do

Answer 110

perceiving and distinguishing different tastes