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Psych Test 2 > Neuroscience > Flashcards

Neuroscience Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the primary function of the nervous system?

A

to transmit signals between different parts of the body

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2
Q

True or False: Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system.

A

true

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3
Q

Which part of the neuron receives signals from other neurons?

A

dendrites

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4
Q

Myelin Sheath

A

the fatty substance that insulates axons and speeds up signal transmission

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5
Q

What is the small gap between neurons where neurotransmitters are released?

A

synapse

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6
Q

What is the main function of the endocrine system?

A

to regulate the body’s hormones

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7
Q

True or False: Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream.

A

true

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8
Q

Pituitary gland

A

produces and releases growth hormones to stimulate physical development

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9
Q

What is the hormone responsible for the fight or flight response?

A

adrenaline

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10
Q

What is the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward?

A

dopamine

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11
Q

True or False: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the ‘rest and digest’ response.

A

true

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12
Q

Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood regulation and is targeted by many antidepressant medications?

A

serotonin

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13
Q

What is the term for the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections?

A

neuroplasticity

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14
Q

Adrenal gland

A

produces steroid hormones to arouse the body in times of stress

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15
Q

Part of the neuron that contains the nucleus?

A

cell body

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16
Q

What are axons?

A

the segmented neuron extension that passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons

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17
Q

What is the role of glial cells?

A

to support, nourish, and protect neurons

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18
Q

What is the action potential?

A

the neural impulses that travel down an axon

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19
Q

The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse is called?

A

the threshold

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20
Q

The brief pause after a neuron has fired is called?

A

the refractory period

21
Q

What is the all-or-none response?

A

whether or not a neuron fires (at full strength)

22
Q

What does the autonomic nervous system do?

A

controls glands and muscles of internal organs (heartbeat, digestion)

23
Q

Which nervous system has control over skeletal muscles?

A

somatic

24
Q

What does the central nervous system consist of?

A

brain and spinal cord

25
Q

What is a reflex?

A

an automatic response to a sensory stimulus

26
Q

What do nerves do?

A

carry electrical impulses between the brain and the body

27
Q

Limbic system function

A

emotional processing and memory formation

28
Q

Oldest and innermost brain region

A

brainstem

29
Q

What is the hippocampus involved with

A

processing of memories, facts, and events in the brain

30
Q

What happens if the hippocampus is damaged

A

results in poor memory and inability to make new ones

31
Q

Function of amygdala

A

emotional control and processing (fear and aggression)

32
Q

What is the cerebellum involved with

A

balance and motor control

33
Q

Thalamus

A

relay station for sensory information from body to the brain

34
Q

What structures are in the limbic system

A

amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus

35
Q

Corpus callosum

A

assists communication between the two brain hemispheres

36
Q

Function of the hypothalamus

A

regulates hormone release and maintains body temperature, hunger, and thirst

37
Q

Function of the medulla

A

regulates breathing and heart beat

38
Q

Purpose of the pons

A

connects the brain and spinal cord and regulates relaxation

39
Q

Function of cerebral cortex

A

performing higher cognitive functions like complex thinking

40
Q

Parietal lobe

A

processes sensory information like touch, pressure, temperature, and pain

41
Q

Temporal lobe

A

processes auditory information and language perception

42
Q

Frontal lobe

A

responsible for motor function and higher level cognitive skills like problem solving and judgment

43
Q

Occipital lobe

A

input from eyes and processing visual information

44
Q

Surgical procedure done to separate the brain hemispheres by cutting the corpus callosum fibres

A

split brain

45
Q

Motor cortex

A

part of the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary movement

46
Q

Somatosensory cortex

A

part of the cerebral cortex that registers and processes touch and movement sensations

47
Q

Formation of new neurons

A

neurogenesis

48
Q

What are reflexes

A

an automatic response to a sensory stimulus (knee-jerk)

Psych Test 2 (11 decks)

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