UNIT 2: Neuroscience and Behavior

Question 1

• Proposed by Franz Joseph Gall
• Different brain areas accounted for specific character and personality traits

Answer 1

Phrenology

Question 2

• The body’s information system is built from billions of interconnected cells called neurons.
• It’s what the nervous system is made up of

Answer 2

Neural Communication

Question 3

• Basic unit of the nervous system; a cell that conducts electrochemical signals

Answer 3

Neuron

Question 4

• Specialized cells in the nervous system

Answer 4

Nerve cells (neurons)

Question 5

• Cells that support, nurture, and insulate neurons. remove debris when a neuron dies
• makeup 50% of the brain and spine cells
• play a vital role in learning & memory; help guide neurons to each other, or farther away from them

Answer 5

Glial cells

Question 6

• Schwann cells
• Oligodendrocytes
• both help myelinate the axon

Answer 6

Types of Glial cells

Question 7

Life center of the neuron

Answer 7

Cell body

Question 8

Branching extensions at the cell body. RECEIVES messages from other neurons

Answer 8

Dendrites

Question 9

• Long extension; transmits messages along
• Passes messages from neuron to neuron

Answer 9

Axon

Question 10

• Covers the axon to insulate and speed up messages.
• 2-200mph
• Not faster than computers

Answer 10

Myelin Sheath

Question 11

• Branched endings of an axon that sends messages to other neurons

Answer 11

Terminal (Branches)

Question 12

• As you experience new things, or learn new things (good or bad) your synapses grow & change
• The brains circuits are continually being modified in response to information, challenges, and changes to environment.

Answer 12

Plasticity

Question 13

• If it degenerates, then multiple sclerosis (MS) will develop
• Communication to muscles will slow and eventually, you will lose muscle control

Answer 13

What happens if your myelin sheath is damaged

Question 14

Occurs when positive ions enter the neuron, making it more prone to firing an action potential.

Answer 14

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Question 15

occurs when negative ions enter the neuron, making it less prone to firing an action potential.

Answer 15

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Question 16

After a neuron fires an action potential it pauses for a short period to recharge itself to fire again (cell polarizes again to have a slight negative charge).

Answer 16

Refractory Period

Question 17

pump positive ions out from the inside of the neuron, making them ready for another action potential.

Answer 17

Sodium-Potassium Pumps

Question 18

When the depolarizing current exceeds the threshold, a neuron will fire. If the depolarizing current fails to exceed the threshold, a neuron will not fire.

Answer 18

All-or-None Response

Question 19

• Arousal
• Concentration
• Part of “Fight or flight” response
• Undersupply can depress the mood

Answer 19

Norepinephrine

Question 20

Fight or Flight
Also called adrenaline
High emotion
Increases blood flow
Produced in high-stress situations

Answer 20

Epinephrine (mostly a hormone but CAN act as a neurotransmitter)

Question 21

• Involved with mood regulation
• Affects mood, hunger, sleep, arousal
• undersupply is linked to depression

Answer 21

Serotonin pathways

Question 22

• Main inhibitory neurotransmitter
• Calming
• Inhibits movement
  -Benzodiazepines (which include tranquilizers such as Valium) and alcohol work on GABA receptor complexes

Answer 22

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Question 23

• Involves loss of neurons in brain that utilize GABA
• Symptoms include jerky involuntary movements and mental deterioration

Answer 23

Huntington’s Disease

Question 24

• Major excitatory neurotransmitter
• Learning, memory, nervous system development
• Oversupply can overstimulate the brain leading to migraines and seizures
• Some people need to avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate)

Answer 24

Glutamate

Question 25

• Reduce your perception of pain
• Trigger a positive feeling in the body

Answer 25

Endorphins

Question 26

• Glutamate
• Aspartate
• Nitric oxide

Answer 26

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Question 27

• Glycine
• GABA
• Serotonin
• Dopamine

Answer 27

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Question 28

• Acetylcholine
• Nor Epinephrine

Answer 28

Both Excitatory and Inhibitory neurotransmitters

Question 29

• Neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of the receiving neuron in a key-lock mechanism.

Answer 29

Lock & Key Mechanism

Question 30

• Similar to neurotransmitters
  and bind to its receptor sites to MIMIC ITS EFFECTS
• activate the receptors for certain neurotransmitters and ultimately make the effects of the neurotransmitter stronger
• Heroin, oxycodone. methadone, hydrocodone, opium, and morphine

Answer 30

Agonists

Question 31

• Bind to receptors, but they BLOCK a neurotransmitter functions
• chemicals that inhibit or oppose the actions of neurotransmitters.
• They sit in receptor sites and block the neurotransmitter from binding with receptors on the dendrites
• Haloperidol - a drug that blocks dopamine and is used to treat schizophrenia symptoms

Answer 31

Antagonists