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NRSC 235: Intro to Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience > Unit 01 > Flashcards

Unit 01 Flashcards

1
Q

Although it was a pseudoscience, phrenology helped establish the concept of

A

localization of function

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2
Q

Neurons communicate with each other across tiny gaps called

A

synapses

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3
Q

Which part of the neuron receives information from other neurons and converts chemical signals to electrical signals?

A

dendrites

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4
Q

The presynaptic side of the synapse contains _____ filled with neurotransmitters.

The postsynaptic side of the synapse contains _______.

A

synaptic vesicles; receptors

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5
Q

Myelin is produced by ________ in the central nervous system and by _______ in the peripheral nervous system

A

oligodendrocytes; Schwann cells

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6
Q

(T/F) In the peripheral nervous system, sensory nerves transmit information from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands, and motor nerves transmit information from the body to the central nervous system

A

false

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7
Q

The longitudinal fissure separates the two hemispheres. Which lobe does not border it?

A

temporal lobe

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8
Q

Which layer of the meninges is the tough outermost layer?

A

dura matter

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9
Q

What is behavioral neuroscience?

A

behavioral neuroscience = physiological psychology = biological psychology (biopsychology) = brain and behavior

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10
Q

Definition of behavioral neuroscience

A

study of the biological bases of psychological processes and behavior

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11
Q

Why study behavioral neuroscience?

A
  • can provide general knowledge about the brain and behavior
  • fundamental discoveries in biological psychology research may contribute to a greater understanding of brain disorders and the development of effective treatments
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12
Q

List the stats for people with neurological/psychiatric illness

A

at least one person in five

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13
Q

What did the ancient egyptians, indians, chinese, and greeks thought was the center of thoughts and emotions?

A

the heart

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14
Q

During Greece 300s BCE, who wrote about the brain controlling thoughts, emotions, and intelligence?

A

Hippocrates

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15
Q

During Greece 300s BCE, who believed the heart was the root of consciousness?

A

Aristotle

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16
Q

What did Aristotle think the function of the brain was?

A

a cooling system for the blood

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17
Q

During Greece 100s CE, who treated brain-injured gladiators?

A

Galen

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18
Q

What did Galen propose after treating brain-injured gladiators?

A

behavior results from connections between the brain and the body

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19
Q

What happened during the scientific revolution?

A

major developments in math and science starting towards the end of the renaissance, where the scientific method was established

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20
Q

Which renaissance artist/scientist pioneered anatomical drawings by relying on direct observation?

A

Leonardo de Vinci

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21
Q

Which renaissance artist/scientist pioneered anatomical drawings by relying on direct observation?

A

Leonardo de Vinci

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22
Q

What did Rene Descartes propose?

A

concept of spinal reflexes and their neural pathways; explained control of behavior in terms of the nervous system acting as a machine

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23
Q

What is dualism?

A

concept that humans have a nonmaterial soul and material body; soul governs behavior through a point of contact (i.e. pineal gland)

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24
Q

What is phrenology?

A

belief that bumps on the skull result from enlargements of brain regions responsible for certain behavioral faculties

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25
Q

What is localization of function?

A

concept that different brain regions specialize in specific behaviors

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26
Q

What did Broca note that damage to a particular region on the left side of the brain can do?

A

impairs speech production (broca’s aphasia)

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27
Q

Who invented cell staining technique?

A

Golgi

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28
Q

Who made detailed drawings of many types of nerve cells using Golgi staining?

A

Ramon y Cajal

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29
Q

What did Hebb describe about neuronal connections in relation to experience?

A

neural connections strengthen as a consequence of experience

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30
Q

What are Hebbian synapses?

A

plastic neuronal connections; they change in strength through use

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31
Q

What is the basic unit of the nervous system?

A

neurons (nerve cells)

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32
Q

What is a neuron composed of?

A

dendrites (receptive extensions), soma (cell body), axon, and axon terminal

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33
Q

List the steps for cell communication

A

1) Input: dendrites receive information from other neurons
2) Integration: cell body integrates (decides to produce a neural signal) the information
3) Conduction: a single axon conducts information away from the cell body as an electrical signal
4) Output: axon terminals at the end of the axon communicate activity to other cells

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34
Q

What part of the neuron receives chemical signals from other neurons and then converts them to an electrical signal?

A

dendrites

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35
Q

What does the soma do?

A
  • integrates/combines information that has been received at dendrites
  • sums together the electrical signals
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36
Q

What is the function of the axon?

A

carries the electric signal (action potential) away from the cell body and to the terminals

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37
Q

Where is the action potential generated?

A

axon hillock

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38
Q

What is the function of the axon terminals?

A

makes synaptic contact with other cell’s dendrites

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39
Q

Are information signals BETWEEN neurons chemical or electrical?

A

chemical

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40
Q

Are information signals WITHIN a neuron chemical or electrical?

A

electrical

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41
Q

Describe a multipolar neuron

A

one axon, many dendrites

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42
Q

Describe a bipolar neuron

A

one axon, one dendrite

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43
Q

Describe a unipolar neuron

A

one extension branching in two directions

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44
Q

What is a synapse/synaptic cleft?

A

junction between two neurons

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45
Q

What is the presynaptic membrane?

A

axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron; releases neurotransmitters

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46
Q

What is the postsynaptic membrane?

A

dendrite or cell body of the postsynaptic neuron; receives neurotransmitters

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47
Q

What happens at the presynaptic side of the synapse?

A

axon terminal contains synaptic vesicles that contain neurotransmitter; neurotransmitter is released by an action potential

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48
Q

What happens at the postsynaptic side of the synapse?

A

receptors respond to the neurotransmitters

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49
Q

What are the four classes of glia?

A
  • oligodenrocytes
  • schwann cells
  • astrocytes
  • microglia
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50
Q

Which two types of glia cells wrap around axons to provide a fatty insulation layer (myelin) and where are they located?

A
  • oligodendrocytes (in the central nervous system)
  • schwann cells ( in the peripheral nervous system)
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51
Q

What is the function of astrocytes?

A

stretches around neurons, synapses, and sometimes blood vesicles = secrete chemicals

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52
Q

WHat is the function of microglia?

A

removes debris from injury

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53
Q

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

A

brain and spinal cord

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54
Q

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

A

all other parts of the nervous system aside from the brain and spinal cord

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55
Q

What does the PNS consist of?

A
  • motor nerves: transmits info from CNS to muscles + glands
  • sensory nerves: convey info from body to the CNS
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56
Q

What are the two distinct systems of the PNS?

A
  • somatic nervous system (SNS): nerves that interconnect the brain and the major muscles and sensory systems of the body
  • autonomic nervous system (ANS): nerves that connect to the internal organs
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57
Q

What does the SNS includes?

A
  • cranial nerves (12 pairs): connects brain = head, neck, visceral organs
  • spinal nerves (31 pairs): connects spinal cord = muscles, organs
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58
Q

What components do cranial nerves have?

A

motor and sensory

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59
Q

What components do spinal nerves have?

A
  • motor fibers project from the spinal cord
  • sensory fibers enter the spinal cord
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60
Q

What are the two divisions of the ANS?

A
  • symapthetic nervous system: prepares the body for action = fight-or-flight
  • parasympathetic nervous system: helps the body relax = rest-and-digest
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61
Q

Describe horizontal plane of dissection

A

divides the body/brain into upper and lower

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62
Q

Describe sagittal plane of dissection

A

divides body/brain into right or left hemisphere

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63
Q

Describe coronal plane of dissection

A

divides body/brain into front and back

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64
Q

Describe medial/lateral

A

toward middle/toward side

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65
Q

Describe ipsilateral/contralateral

A

same/opposite side

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66
Q

Describe proximal/distal

A

near/far

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67
Q

Describe superior/inferior

A

up/down

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68
Q

Describe anterior/posterior

A

front/back

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69
Q

Describe rostral/caudal

A

beak/tail

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70
Q

Describe dorsal/ventral

A

back/belly

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71
Q

What is the outermost, convoluted layer of the brain?

A

cerebral cortex

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72
Q

Describe the cortex’s gyri

A

ridged or raised portions

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73
Q

Describe the cortex’s sulci

A

furrows

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74
Q

List and describe the four lobes of each cerebral hemisphere

A

1) frontal lobe: attention, planning, motor (most anterior)
2) parietal lobe: touch, other (b/w frontal and occipital lobe)
3) occipital lobe: visual processing (posterior)
4) temporal lobe: auditory processing, memory (lateral)

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75
Q

Describe longitudinal fissure

A

separates left/right hemispheres

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76
Q

Describe sylvian fissure

A

boundary of temporal lobe

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77
Q

Describe central sulcus

A

divides frontal/parietal lobes

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78
Q

Describe precentral gyrus

A

located in the frontal lobe; important for motor control

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79
Q

Describe postcentral gyrus

A

located in the parietal lobe; important for touch

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80
Q

Describe gray matter

A
  • mostly cell bodies and dendrites that lack myelin
    -nuclei
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81
Q

Describe white matter

A
  • mostly axons with white myelin sheaths (fatty)
  • tracts (bundles of axons)
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82
Q

What is a bundle of axons that connects the two cerebral hemispheres?

A

corpus callosum

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83
Q

What three subdivisions does the neural tube develop into?

A
  • forebrain
  • midbrain
  • hindbrain
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84
Q

What does the forebrain develop into?

A
  • telencephalon
  • diencephalon
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85
Q

What does the midbrain develop into?

A

midbrain

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86
Q

What does the hindbrain develop into?

A

cerebellum, pons, and medulla

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87
Q

What is the function of the cerebral cortex?

A

sensory, motor, associative, cognitive

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88
Q

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

A

control of movement and actions

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89
Q

What is the limbic system important for? Name its parts

A

important for emotion and learning
- hippocampus and fornix
- amygdala
- cingulate gyrus
- olfactory bulb

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90
Q

What is the function of hippocampus and fornix?

A

learning

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91
Q

What is the function of the amygdala?

A

emotional regulation; perception or odor

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92
Q

What is the function of the cingulate gyrus?

A

attention

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93
Q

What is the function of the olfactory bulb?

A

sense of smell

94
Q

What is the function of the thalamus?

A

relays almost all sensory information to the cortex

95
Q

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

A

motivated behavior, homeostasis, regulating autonomic nervous system + controls pituitary gland

96
Q

What are the two parts of the tectum in the midbrain and their functions?

A
  • superior colliculi: visual processing
  • inferior colliculi: auditory processing
97
Q

Name the part of the tegmentum in the midbrain and describe its function

A
  • substantia nigra: source of dopamine to basal ganglia
98
Q

What are “other” midbrain systems? What are their functions?

A
  • reticular formation: involved with sleep and arousal
  • periaqueductal gray: pain perception
99
Q

What is the pons in the hindbrain?

A

sensory and motor nuclei

100
Q

What is the function of the medulla in the hindbrain?

A
  • essential processes such as respiration and heart rate
101
Q

Where is the medulla located in the brain?

A

At the transition from brain to spinal cord

102
Q

What is the function of the cerebellum?

A

motor coordination/control

103
Q

What are meninges?

A

protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

104
Q

List and describe the three layers of the meninges

A

1) dura mater: tough
2) arachnoid membrane: lies b/w pia and dura; filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
3) pia mater: delicate innermost layer

105
Q

What membrane in the lateral ventricle produces CSF?

A

choroid plexus

106
Q

Which system consists of a series of chambers filled with CSF?

A

ventricular system

107
Q

Describes the directional flow of CSF

A

from the lateral ventricles into the third ventricle at the midline = into the fourth ventricle = then exists to circulate over the brain and spinal cord

108
Q

What is the function of CSF?

A

provides buoyancy, protection, exchange of nutrients/waste b/w blood and brain

109
Q

Besides CSF, what else does the brain depend on?

A

oxygenated blood from the cerebral arteries

110
Q

What are strokes caused by?

A

rupture or blockage of blood vessels = causes insufficient oxygen supply

111
Q

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?

A

filters blood before it enters brain tissue; it is selectively permeable

112
Q

Why is the BBB selectively permeable?

A

keep the brain environment as stable as possible + keep bacteria/viruses out

113
Q

Define computerized axial tomography (CAT/CT)

A

map of the brain based on tissue density and X-ray absorption; best for strokes, tumors

114
Q

Define magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

uses magnetic fields and radio waves to map tissue density; best for high resolution images

115
Q

Define diffusion tensor imagine

A

variant of MRI, can visualize axon fiber tracts

116
Q

Define functional MRI (fMRI)

A

detects small changes in brain metabolism in active brain areas; can show how networks of brain structures collaborate

117
Q

Define position emission tomography (PET)

A

gives images of brain activity using radioactive chemicals in the bloodstream; identifies wich brain regions contribute to specific functions

118
Q

What can magnetism be used for?

A

study brain activity

119
Q

Describe transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A

briefly stimulate discrete cortical regions; scientists can record observed changes in behavior

120
Q

Describe magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A

measures the tiny magnetic fields given off by active neurons during cognitive processing

121
Q

What happens at dendrites (input zone)?

A

neurotransmitter binding causes local changes in electrical activity (post synaptic potentials)

122
Q

What happens when the change in electrical activity enough to reach the soma (integration zone)?

A

an action potential is generated down the axon (condition zone)

123
Q

How would you describe the electrical signal of an action potential?

A

all-or-nothing

124
Q

How would you describe a resting neuron?

A

polarized = difference in electrical charge when comparing inside vs. outside of the cell

125
Q

Is the inside of a resting neuron negative or positive?

A

negative

126
Q

How many mV is the resting potential?

A

-50 to -80

127
Q

How do ions pass through the cell membrane?

A

via ion channels

128
Q

Which ion channels are gated?

A

sodium channels open and close in response to signals

129
Q

Which ion channels stay open all the time?

A

potassium channels allow for K+ to enter and leave freely

130
Q

Describe chemical pressure (diffusion)

A

causes ions to spread out in a uniform manner (concentration gradient)

131
Q

Describe electrostatic pressure

A

causes ions to flow towards oppositely charged areas (electrical gradient)

132
Q

Describe the function of the sodium potassium pump

A

pushes Na+ ions out; pulls K+ ions in

133
Q

What does the sodium-potassium pump cause?

A

causes K+ ions to accumulate inside the cell + Na+ ions outside the cell

134
Q

What kind of pressure drives K+ ions out?

A

chemical

135
Q

What kind of pressure pulls k+ ions in?

A

electrical

136
Q

What is the equilibrium potential?

A

electrical charge that balances the two opposing forces: concentration gradient and electrostatic pressure

137
Q

What is the resting potential of a neuron and what is it based on?

A
  • around -65 mV
  • based on equilibrium potential for K+ created by Na+/K+ pumps and K+ ion channels
138
Q

Describe hyperpolarization

A

interior of the cell becomes more negative

139
Q

Describe depolarization

A

interior of the cell becomes less negative

140
Q

Describe a graded response

A

greater the stimulus, greater the response

141
Q

Describe a local potential

A

in dendrites and soma, the signal diminishes as it spreads further away

142
Q

What happens when the stimulus depolarizes the membrane to the threshold (about -40 mV)?

A

triggers a brief action potential/spike

143
Q

What happens during an action potential?

A

membrane potential reverses, and the inside of the cell becomes more positive

144
Q

Where do action potentials originate?

A

in the initial segment of the axon, just after axon hillock

145
Q

What is the relation of the amplitude to the action potential?

A

independent of stimulus size; increased stimulus strength = more action potentials

146
Q

What is the action potential caused by?

A

a sudden rush of Na+ ions into the axon

147
Q

At its peak, where does the action potential approach?

A

equilibrium potential for Na+

148
Q

What triggers voltage-gated Na+ channels to open?

A

sufficient depolarization (threshold); for Na+ ions there are strong ionic forces to drive it into the cell

149
Q

What pressure(s) drives for Na+ ions to enter?

A

chemical and electrostatic pressure

150
Q

After the Na+ ions enter, what mV does the membrane potential reach?

A

+40 mV (Na+ equilibrium potential)

151
Q

What happens as the inside of the cell becomes more positive?

A

voltage-gated K+ channels open; K+ rushes out and the resting potential is restored

152
Q

Describe absolute refractory phase

A

no action potentials can be produced; due to the voltage-gated Na+ channels being inactivated

153
Q

Describe relative refractory phase

A

only very strong stimulation can produce an action potential; due to voltage-gated K+ channels still being open, which causes hyperpolarization (afterpotential or afterhyperpolarization)

154
Q

How many directions can an action potential travel?

A

only one

155
Q

Why can an action potential only travel in one direction?

A

due to the absolute refractory state of the membrane after depolarization (when voltage gated Na+ channels are inactivated)

156
Q

What causes conduction velocity to vary?

A
  • axon diameter; larger diameter = faster speed
  • myelination; enhances speed and conduction
157
Q

What are nodes of ranvier?

A

small gaps in the myelin; voltage-gated Na+ channels are located at the nodes

158
Q

What is saltatory conduction?

A

term used to describe the action potential traveling down the axon and jumping from node to node

159
Q

What happens once an action potential reaches the axon terminals?

A

causes the release of neurotransmitter into the synapse

160
Q

Describe the direction neurotransmitters as they move across the synapse

A

FROM: the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron
TO: receptors on the dendrites/soma of the postsynaptic neuron

161
Q

What causes local postsynaptic potentials or brief changes in the membrane potential?

A

neurotransmitters binding to the receptors

162
Q

Is excitatory depolarization or hyperpolarization?

A

depolarization

163
Q

Is inhibitory depolarization or hyperpolarization?

A

hyperpolarization

164
Q

What is excitatory postsynaptic potential (ESPS)?

A

small depolarizing local potential in the postsynaptic membrane that pushes the cell closer to the action potential threshold, increasing the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential

165
Q

What channels are open in EPSPs?

A

sodium (Na+) ion channels; letting positive ions into the cell

166
Q

What is inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)?

A

small hyperpolarizing local potential in the postsynaptic membrane that pushes the cell further away from the threshold, decreasing the likelihood of the neuron firing an action potential

167
Q

What channels are open in IPSPs?

A

chloride (Cl-) ion channels open; making inside more negative

168
Q

What is spatial summation?

A

summing of all the potentials that reach the axon hillock from locations across the soma and dendrites

169
Q

What happens if the overall depolarization reaches/exceeds the membrane threshold?

A

action potential is produced

170
Q

T/F: the closer together in time the potentials arrive, the greater their impact and likelihood of producing an action potential

A

true

171
Q

What happens at the presynaptic side of synapse?

A

axon terminal contains synaptic vesicles that contain neurotransmitter

172
Q

What happens at the postsynaptic side of synaose?

A

receptors respond to the neurotransmitters

173
Q

List the sequence of transmission

A

1) action potential arrives at the presynaptic axon terminal
2) voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) channels open in the terminal and calcium ions enter
3) calcium ions cause synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitter to fuse with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft
4) transmitters bind to postsynaptic receptors, causing ion channels to open and leading to an EPSP or IPSP
5) EPSPs or IPSPs spread toward the postsynaptic axon hillock; if threshold is reached, an action potential will occur
6) synaptic transmission is rapidly stopped via reuptake or degradation
7) transmitter may also activate presynaptic receptors (autoreceptors) that decrease transmitter release (negative feedback)

174
Q

List and describe the two ways neurotransmitter actions are rapidly halted

A
  • degredation: the rapid breakdown and inactivation by an enzyme
  • reuptake: when transmitter is cleared/recycled from the synapse by transporters (special proteins) in presynaptic terminal or nearby glia
175
Q

What are ligands?

A

molecules that fit into receptors and activate/block them

176
Q

T/F: ligands includes neurotransmitters and drugs

A

true

177
Q

What determines the action of the transmitter?

A

receptor (excitatory or inhibitory)

178
Q

How are ACh and nicotine agonists?

A

they activate the receptor = causes channels to open

179
Q

How are curare and bungarotoxin antagonists?

A

they block the receptor

180
Q

Describe axo-dendritic synapse

A

axon terminal synapses on a dendrite

181
Q

Describe axo-somatic synapse

A

synapse between axon and cell body

182
Q

Describe axo-axonic synapse

A

synapse between two axons

183
Q

Describe dendro-dendritic synapse

A

synapse between two dendrites (not common)

184
Q

What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?

A

recording of spontaneous brain potentials

185
Q

What is an event-related potentials (ERPs)?

A

EEG responses to a single stimulus

186
Q

Is brain activity desynchronized or synchronized during brain activity?

A

desynchronized

187
Q

What is a seizure?

A

a wave of abnormally synchronous electrical activity in the brain

188
Q

What are the three cell layers that a human embryo develops?

A
  • endoderm (inner layer): becomes internal organs, gut lining
  • mesoderm: becomes muscles, bones, circulatory system
  • ectoderm (outer layer): becomes nervous system, epidermis (skin)
189
Q

What happens during embryonic development?

A

a groove forms at the midline = the crests of the neural groove join, forming the neural tube, the beginning of the central nervous system

190
Q

What are the three subdivisions of the anterior part of the neural tube?

A
  • forebrain (cortical regions, thalamus, hypothalamus)
  • midbrain
  • hindbrain (cerebellum, pons, medulla)
191
Q

What part becomes the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord?

A

interior of neural tube

192
Q

T/F: There is NOT dramatic brain growth during fetal development (cortex gyri/sulci in humans) and after birth also

A

false

193
Q

List the stages of brain development

A

1) neurogenesis: the birth of new neurons
2) cell migration: cells move toward their destination
3) cell differentiation: cells change into distinctive types of neurons or glia
4) synaptogenesis: establishment of synaptic connections
5) neuronal cell death: selective death of many neurons
6) synapse rearrangement: pruning and fine-tuning of synapses

194
Q

The sodium-potassium pump ________ and _________.

A

pushes Na+ ions out, pulls K+ ions in

195
Q

In a resting neuron, chemical pressure ____ ____ K+ ions, whereas electrostatic pressure _____ ______ K+ ions.

A

drives out; pulls in

196
Q

Na+/K+ pumps and open K+ ion channels are associated with

A

the resting membrane potential

197
Q

Who drives Na+ to enter the neuron when Na+ ion channels open?

A

chemical and electrostatic pressure

198
Q

Action potentials begin in the

A

initial segment of the axon

199
Q

IPSPs are

A

inhibitory

200
Q

The opening of voltage-gated K+ ion channels are associated with

A

the falling phase of the action potential

201
Q

T/F: Synaptic transmission is rapidly stopped via reuptake or degradation of neurotransmitter

A

true

202
Q

Which of the following is an example of neurotransmitter degradation?

A) curare is an antagonist at acetylcholine receptors
B) dopamine is cleared from the synapse by the dopamine transporter (DAT)
C) acetylcholine is inactivated by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
D) nicotine is an agonist at the acetylcholine receptors

A

C

203
Q

________ are molecules that fit into receptors and activate or block them

A

ligands

204
Q

T/F: neurogenesis can occur in adults, especially in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus

A

true

205
Q

Cell differentiation is the process of

A

stem cells becoming distinctive types of neurons or glia

206
Q

What is released by target cells that encourage the survival of cells and synapses?

A

neurotrophic factors

207
Q

What do neurons compete for at target structures?

A

synaptic connections

208
Q

What is synapse rearrangement?

A

loss or development of synapses

209
Q

T/F: Synapse rearrangement continues throughout adulthood

A

true

210
Q

What results in postnatal brain growth?

A

growth in the size of neurons and branching, increased myelin, and new glia

211
Q

T/F: In the human cortex, there is NO net loss of synapses from late childhood until mid-adolescence

A

false

212
Q

Describe the direction of the thinning process

A

continues from caudal to rostral throughout maturation, reaching the prefrontal cortex last

213
Q

What is the period during development, when visual experience is crucial for proper development?

A

sensitive period

214
Q

What happens if there is binocular deprivation during development?

A

reduced synapses in visual cortex

215
Q

T/F: After deprivation for several weeks during sensitive period, eyesight CAN be recovered

A

false

216
Q

What happens if there is monocular deprivation?

A

ocular dominance is disrupted = cortical neurons respond to only one eye, not both

217
Q

Describe Hebbian synapses

A
218
Q

What is genotype?

A

sum of an individual’s intrinsic, genetic information; constant

219
Q

What is phenotype?

A

physical characteristics and traits; changes constantly based on extrinsic effects on genes

220
Q

Define epigenetics

A

study of the factors that change gene expression without changing the gene sequence

221
Q

What was the result of poor maternal care in the brain during the animal experiment?

A

induces methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene

222
Q

What happens as a result of induced methylation on rodent pups?

A

become hyperresponsive to stress

223
Q

Since memory impairments are observed with aging, what does it correlate to in terms of the hippocampus?

A

severity of memory loss correlates with hippocampal shrinkage

224
Q

Describe the process of Alzheimer’s disease as it is a form of dementia

A
  • begins with memory loss of recent events
  • eventually, memory impairment is so extensive that conversation is impossible
  • cortex shows atrophy and reduced metabolism
225
Q

List the cellular changes in Alzheimer’s

A
  • amyloid plaques = formed by clumps of beta-amyloids in extracellular space
  • neurofibrillary tangles = formed from filaments inside neurons
  • loss of acetylcholine neurons in the basal forebrain
226
Q

The electrical charge that balances the opposing forces of concentration gradient and electrostatic pressure is called

A

equilibrium potential

227
Q

The opening of voltage-gated Na+ ion channels is associated with

A

the rising phase of the action potential

228
Q

Postsynaptic potentials take place in the _________; action potentials take place in the __________

A

dendrites/soma; axon

229
Q

T/F: The amplitude (size) of an action potential can change

A

false

230
Q

When the inside of a neuron becomes even more negative, this is known as

A

hyperpolarization

231
Q

On the postsynaptic side of the synapse, _______ respond to neurotransmitter

A

receptors

232
Q

Which of the following developmental processes still continues on a large scale after birth in humans?

A

synaptic rearrangement

NRSC 235: Intro to Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience (5 decks)

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