Quiz 2

Question 1

What is reduction?

Answer 1

the attempt to explain complex phenomena in terms of simpler components

Question 2

What are neurons? What are their basic structure and functions?

Answer 2

1. neurons: nerve cells

2a. structure: cell body, dendrites, axon, and terminal buttons
2b. function: convey information over long distances

Question 3

What is action potential?

Answer 3

an excitation that travels along an axon at a constant strength, no matter how far it travels

Question 4

What is resting potential?

Answer 4

an electrical polarization across the membrane (or covering) of an axon

Question 5

(1.) What is a synapse and terminal button? (2.) What are neurotransmitters (including, especially, serotonin and dopamine)?

Answer 5

1a. synapse: the specialized junction between one neuron and another
1b. terminal button: a bulge at the end of an axon from which the axon releases a neurotransmitter

2. neurotransmitters: a chemical that activates receptors on other neurons
   - serotonin: modifies many types of motivated and emotional behavior
   - dopamine: one path is important for movement, another path is important for memory and cognition

Question 6

What is a reuptake?

Answer 6

a process to recycle neurotransmitters in which active processes exist within nerve terminals to reabsorb the released neurotransmitter.

Question 7

What are the techniques used to measure brain activity?

Answer 7

EEG, PET, fMRI