Biopsychology Study Guide

Question 1

What are the major classes of drugs?

Answer 1

• Stimulants
• Depressants
• Hallucinogens
• Opiates/Narcotics
• Steroids

Each class has distinct effects on the central nervous system.

Question 2

What is the effect of stimulants on the CNS?

Answer 2

Increase CNS activity

Examples include cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, and caffeine.

Question 3

What is the effect of depressants on the CNS?

Answer 3

Decrease CNS activity

Examples include alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates.

Question 4

What do hallucinogens do?

Answer 4

Alter perception and cognition

Examples include LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline.

Question 5

What are the primary effects of opiates/narcotics?

Answer 5

Relieve pain and induce euphoria

Examples include morphine, heroin, and codeine.

Question 6

What are steroids related to?

Answer 6

Male sex hormones

Anabolic steroids are testosterone derivatives.

Question 7

How do drugs exert their effects?

Answer 7

By binding to brain receptors and influencing neurotransmitter activity

This process is known as drug efficacy.

Question 8

Where are drugs metabolized in the body?

Answer 8

In the liver

Metabolism affects drug duration and potency.

Question 9

What is metabolic tolerance?

Answer 9

Reduced drug availability

It affects how the body processes drugs over time.

Question 10

What is functional tolerance?

Answer 10

Decreased responsiveness at the receptor level

This can lead to the need for higher doses to achieve the same effect.

Question 11

What is physical dependence?

Answer 11

Involves withdrawal symptoms

It occurs when the body adapts to the presence of a drug.

Question 12

What is psychological dependence?

Answer 12

Craving without physical symptoms

It reflects the emotional and mental aspects of addiction.

Question 13

What is a split-brain?

Answer 13

Severing of the corpus callosum isolates hemispheres

This procedure is often used in research to study hemispheric specialization.

Question 14

Who were the key researchers in split-brain research?

Answer 14

• Sperry
• Gazzaniga
• Myers
• Bavelier

They contributed significantly to understanding hemispheric specialization.

Question 15

What does lateralization refer to?

Answer 15

Neural functions more dominant in one hemisphere

This concept highlights how different brain hemispheres handle different tasks.

Question 16

What is the function of Broca’s area?

Answer 16

Speech production

Located in the left frontal lobe, it is crucial for language expression.

Question 17

What is the function of Wernicke’s area?

Answer 17

Language comprehension

Located in the left temporal lobe, it is essential for understanding language.

Question 18

What is dyslexia?

Answer 18

Difficulty in reading, decoding words

Studies show abnormal activation in language brain regions.

Question 19

What is the James-Lange theory of emotion?

Answer 19

Emotion = perception of bodily changes

This theory suggests that physiological responses precede emotional experience.

Question 20

What does the Cannon-Bard theory propose?

Answer 20

Emotion and physiology occur simultaneously

This theory contrasts with the James-Lange theory.

Question 21

What is the Schachter-Singer theory of emotion?

Answer 21

Emotion = arousal + interpretation

This theory emphasizes the role of cognitive appraisal in emotional experience.

Question 22

What is the role of the amygdala in emotion?

Answer 22

Key in fear and emotion processing

It is a critical structure in the limbic system.

Question 23

What are the stages of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 23

• Alarm
• Resistance
• Exhaustion

These stages describe the body’s response to stress.

Question 24

What is the HPA axis responsible for?

Answer 24

Releases cortisol during stress

This axis is crucial for the stress response.

Question 25

What are T-cells responsible for in the immune system?

Answer 25

Destroy infected cells ## Footnote They play a vital role in adaptive immunity.

Question 26

What do B-cells produce?

Answer 26

Antibodies ## Footnote They are essential for the immune response.

Question 27

What is innate immunity?

Answer 27

Immediate, non-specific response ## Footnote This type of immunity acts quickly against pathogens.

Question 28

What is adaptive immunity?

Answer 28

Specific and long-term response ## Footnote It develops after exposure to specific antigens.

Question 29

What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 29

* Hallucinations * Delusions ## Footnote These symptoms indicate an excess of certain brain functions.

Question 30

What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 30

* Flat affect * Alogia ## Footnote These symptoms reflect a decrease in emotional expression and communication.

Question 31

What is the dopamine hypothesis in schizophrenia?

Answer 31

Overactivity in mesolimbic pathways ## Footnote This theory suggests that dopamine dysregulation contributes to symptoms.

Question 32

What is the glutamate hypothesis in schizophrenia?

Answer 32

NMDA receptor hypofunction ## Footnote This hypothesis indicates that glutamate signaling is impaired.

Question 33

What are the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder?

Answer 33

* Low mood * Anhedonia * Fatigue * Sleep/appetite disturbance ## Footnote These symptoms can significantly impact daily functioning.

Question 34

What is a common treatment for bipolar disorder?

Answer 34

* Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium) * Anticonvulsants * Antipsychotics ## Footnote These medications help manage mood swings.

Question 35

What are common symptoms of anxiety disorders?

Answer 35

* Excessive worry * Restlessness * Physiological arousal ## Footnote These symptoms can disrupt normal life.

Question 36

What is an agonist in psychotropic drug concepts?

Answer 36

Enhances neurotransmitter activity ## Footnote Agonists increase the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Question 37

What is an antagonist in psychotropic drug concepts?

Answer 37

Blocks neurotransmitter activity ## Footnote Antagonists inhibit the effects of neurotransmitters.

Question 38

What is the mechanism of fluoxetine?

Answer 38

Blocks serotonin reuptake ## Footnote It is classified as an SSRI.

Question 39

What does imipramine do?

Answer 39

Blocks NE and 5-HT reuptake ## Footnote It is classified as a tricyclic antidepressant.

Question 40

What is the function of iproniazid?

Answer 40

Inhibits monoamine oxidase ## Footnote It is classified as an MAOI.

Question 41

What is the mechanism of reserpine?

Answer 41

Depletes monoamines from vesicles ## Footnote It is used as an antipsychotic.

Question 42

What type of receptor does diazepam act on?

Answer 42

GABA-A receptor ## Footnote It is classified as a benzodiazepine.

Question 43

What is ketamine's classification and action?

Answer 43

Dissociative/Antidepressant; NMDA receptor antagonist ## Footnote It has rapid-acting antidepressant effects.