Neuropsychology Flashcards
What is the definition of psychology?
The scientific study of behaviour and the mind.
Explain the meaning of informed consent for research.
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.
In what way might someone with a mental disorder be vulnerable to giving informed consent?
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.
What is an ethical standard or guideline that helps protect research participants who may be vulnerable?
Do no harm – it is the researcher’s responsibility to ensure that no participant is harmed in any way, particularly those that are vulnerable.
What three parts of the body comprise the nervous system?
Brain, spinal cord, nerves.
What are the two parts of the nervous system.
- Peripheral nervous system
- central nervous system
What does the central nervous system comprise of
brain and spinal cord
What does the peripheral nervous system comprise of
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.
What does the somatic nervous system comprise of
sensory nervous system (sensory input)
motor nervous system (motor output)
What does the autonomic nervous system comprise of
Sympathetic division (arousing)- fight or flight responses
Parasympathetic division (calming)- returns the body back to normal after these experiences.
In what main way is the functioning of the autonomic nervous system different from other divisions of the nervous system?
It does not require conscious thought to function, and it communicates with internal organs and glands.
The brain sends and receives two kinds of messages. Describe what Motor messages are
Instructions from the brain to move muscles and limbs
Explain why the autonomous nervous system is referred to as ‘autonomous’.
Because it does not require conscious thought, the reactions by this system happen automatically as a result of sensory input.
The brain sends and receives two kinds of messages. Describe what Sensory messages helps the body do
Relay information from the 5 senses to the brain for interpreting
What is the role in the sympathetic nervous system in enhancing survival?
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.
What is a Neuron?
A specific type of cell that makes up the Nervous System.
In what ways are the structure and function of dendrites different from axon terminals?
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.
Explain the specific function of motor neurons, sensory neurons, and interneurons.
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.
Draw and label a diagram of a neuron, showing the key features.
top to bottom:
dendrite, nucleus, soma, Schwann cell, axon, node of Ranvier, myelin, axon terminals.
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
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
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Control of coordination and balance in the body.
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?
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
What is ‘myelination’ and when does it start and end?
The process of myelin growing on neuron axons. It begins before birth (in utero) and ands at around 2 years of age.
How might damage to interneurons affect the spinal reflex arc?
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
What is synaptic pruning? Why does it occur at around 2 to 4 years of age?
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.
Distinguish the difference between a neuron and a nerve.
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).
State three ways in which the brain in protected from injury.
Skull, scalp/hair, and meninges (internal fluid layers)
Identify which of the following would be reflex reactions:
a. Coughing
b. sneezing
c. reading
d. cycling
e. writing
f. blinking
a. R
B. R
c. not a R
d. not an R
e. not an R
f. R
Define the difference between grey matter and white matter, and state which makes up the largest percentage of the brain’s mass.
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.
What is the difference between a complete and an incomplete spinal injury?
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.
List three ways a person could acquire a brain injury that is:
a. Non-traumatic
b. Traumatic
a. Infection, Stroke, Diabetic Coma
b. Falls, car accident, domestic violence
State the five sections of the spinal cord and the number of nerves or vertebrae in each.
Cervical (8), Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5), Sacral (5), Coccygeal (1)
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
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
What are the four areas that may show symptoms in a person suffering a concussion?
Physical (nausea, dizziness, headaches)
Emotions (intense emotions, depression, anxiety)
Thinking and remembering (trouble concentrating, heavy fog)
Sleep (a lot more or less than usual)
Explain the two parts involved in classifying brain injuries.
Glasgow Coma Score – a score based on the best eye, verbal, and motor responses
The amount of time a person was unconscious.
What are the main structures and functions of the hind brain
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.
What are the main structures and functions of the midbrain
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
What are the main structures and functions of the forebrain
Cerebrum
(lobes and cortexes)
Conscious brain functions, such as thoughts and actions
Name 10 parts of the brain
- Temporal Lobe
- Broca’s Area (Speech)
- Frontal Lobe
- Motor Cortex
- Sensory Cortex
- Parietal Lobe
- Occipital Lobe
- Visual Cortex
- Wernicke’s Area (Speech Comprehension)
- Auditory Cortex
what protects the brain
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.
what is cerebral spinal fluid
a clear watery substance produced in the ventricles that surrounds the brain and spinal cord to be a cushion and prevent injury.
what is the medical condition where there is a buildup of CSF in the ventricles
hydrocephalus
what is the spinal cord
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.
what are the 5 parts of the spinal cord
- cervical cord
- thoracic cord
- lumbar cord
- sacral cord
- coccygeal
