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brain test 3 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the primary role of the brain in human beings?

A

The brain is involved in/controls everything we do as human beings.

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2
Q

What neurotransmitter is released during musical frisson?

A

Dopamine.

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3
Q

What phenomenon can cause people to laugh uncontrollably?

A

Strokes/damage in the limbic system of the brain.

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4
Q

What are dendrites?

A

Tree-like branches that come off the cell body and receive nerve impulses from other neurons.

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5
Q

What is the function of axons?

A

Transmits nerve impulses.

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6
Q

What is the main function of cell bodies (soma)?

A

Responsible for the metabolism/maintenance of the cell.

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7
Q

What distinguishes myelinated axons from unmyelinated axons in the brain?

A

Myelinated axons show up as white matter, while unmyelinated axons show up as grey matter.

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8
Q

How does myelin affect the speed of nerve impulses?

A

Myelin speeds up the action potential; myelinated axons can transmit impulses at about 20 meters per second, while unmyelinated axons transmit at around 1 meter per second.

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9
Q

What is the function of axon terminals?

A

To secrete chemical substances called neurotransmitters into the synapse.

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10
Q

What are motor neurons responsible for?

A

Movement/motor actions.

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11
Q

Where do sensory neurons begin and what is their function?

A

They begin at sense organs (retina, skin, tongue) and convey information to the brain via the spinal cord.

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12
Q

What is the role of interneurons in the brain?

A

They are interposed between other neurons and do much of the computation in the brain.

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: Axons are coated in _______ to speed up nerve impulse transmission.

A

Myelin.

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14
Q

True or False: The brain can drive responses to stimuli such as laughter.

A

True.

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15
Q

What happens when you touch a heat source, in terms of neuron interaction?

A

Receptors in your hand pick up the heat, send the message to the brain, which then activates motor neurons.

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16
Q

What is the diameter range of cell bodies (soma)?

A

5-100 microns.

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17
Q

What example is given of a chicken’s response to music?

A

A ruffling of their feathers in response to Pink Floyd’s ‘The Final Cut’.

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18
Q

What percentage of cells in the brain are glial cells?

A

About 90%

Glial cells are essential for support and scaffolding in the brain.

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19
Q

What is the prime function of glial cells?

A

Scaffolding and support

Glial cells provide structural support to neurons.

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20
Q

What do glial cells act as for growing neurons?

A

Guide wires

They assist in the development and repair of neurons.

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21
Q

What is the resting potential of a neuron?

A

-70 millivolts

This is the electrical charge when a neuron is non-communicative.

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22
Q

What must be exceeded for an action potential to take place?

A

Excitation threshold

The threshold is about -55 millivolts.

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23
Q

Define action potential.

A

Abrupt short-lived reversal in the electrical charge of an axon

Involves an electric current and is crucial for neuronal communication.

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24
Q

What law governs the occurrence of an action potential?

A

All or none law

Once the excitation threshold is reached, the action potential must occur.

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25
What happens to the voltage of the axon during an action potential?
The inside swings positive relative to the outside ## Footnote This change in voltage propagates down the axon.
26
What ions are primarily involved in maintaining the resting potential?
Sodium ions (Na+) ## Footnote Na+ ions are kept outside the cell by a sodium pump.
27
What occurs when a pulse is applied to a neuron?
Na+ channels open, Na+ ions enter, K+ ions exit ## Footnote This process reverses the voltage difference across the membrane.
28
What happens to ion concentrations after an action potential?
They return to their original levels ## Footnote Na+ is pushed outside and K+ is drawn inside.
29
Fill in the blank: The resting potential is the state when the neuron is _______.
non-communicative ## Footnote This state is characterized by a negative charge inside the axon.
30
What is a synapse?
Where one neuron meets another. ## Footnote The synapse is crucial for communication between neurons.
31
What can the transmission of an action potential along one neuron cause in the next neuron?
Excitation or inhibition. ## Footnote Excitation may cause the next neuron to fire, while inhibition may prevent it.
32
What governs the transmission at a synapse?
The release of neurotransmitters. ## Footnote Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that facilitate communication between neurons.
33
What is the Lock and Key Model in synaptic transmission?
Neurotransmitter molecules affect the postsynaptic membrane if their shape fits certain synaptic receptors. ## Footnote This model explains the specificity of neurotransmitter-receptor interactions.
34
What happens to neurotransmitters in the synapse?
They are either inactivated by enzymes or reused in synaptic re-uptake. ## Footnote This process ensures neurotransmitter levels are regulated effectively.
35
What role do drugs play in synaptic transmission?
They can stimulate or inhibit neurotransmitter release, block receptors, or inhibit re-uptake. ## Footnote This interaction can significantly alter brain function and behavior.
36
What are the learning outcomes of neuroimaging in psychology?
1. Describe neuroimaging techniques. 2. Discuss challenges of in-vivo brain measurement. 3. Explain EEG, MRI, fMRI functions. 4. Discuss BOLD signal. 5. Evaluate EEG and fMRI benefits and drawbacks.
37
What is the central problem in studying the brain related to behavior?
Measuring brain activity non-invasively and in-vivo. ## Footnote This is crucial for linking brain functions to behaviors.
38
Who conducted the first EEG recordings and when?
Hans Berger in 1924. ## Footnote This marked the beginning of modern neurophysiological studies.
39
What does EEG measure?
Differences in electrical activity across the skull. ## Footnote This helps infer underlying cortical structures and behaviors.
40
What is the typical setup for EEG measurements?
Electrodes embedded in a net or cap, with gel applied for connection. ## Footnote This setup allows for accurate readings of electrical activity.
41
What is the signal measured in EEG?
Electrical activity related to a process or cognition plus noise. ## Footnote Noise refers to unrelated electrical activity.
42
What are the strengths of EEG?
Great temporal resolution. ## Footnote This allows for precise timing of brain processes.
43
What are the weaknesses of EEG?
Poor spatial resolution. ## Footnote EEG primarily measures surface activity and lacks detail about deeper brain structures.
44
What can EEG data be broken down into?
Specific frequencies. ## Footnote This breakdown can be used to measure states like consciousness and sleep.
45
What is the primary application of EEG in cognitive research?
Investigating the processes that underlie cognition ## Footnote EEG is used to study how individuals value items and make decisions between options.
46
How does EEG influence decision-making?
Electrode activity can preempt decision making ## Footnote High-value items show lesser negative deflection compared to low-value items.
47
What clinical applications does EEG have?
Identification and study of epilepsy, research on stages of sleep, finding markers of psychiatric disorders ## Footnote EEG recordings are crucial in clinical diagnoses.
48
What is the primary use of MRI?
Generate an image of the structure of the brain ## Footnote MRI is useful for detecting abnormalities in the brain and body.
49
What is an MRI scanner essentially?
A very big magnet ## Footnote Common strengths range from 1.5 to 3 T, with some going up to 11 T.
50
What do we measure in an MRI?
Energy released by protons as they realign ## Footnote Protons in the body spin randomly until aligned by a strong magnetic field.
51
What differentiates tissues in an MRI scan?
Different concentrations of hydrogen protons ## Footnote This allows distinguishing between white matter, grey matter, ventricles, and tumours.
52
What does fMRI measure?
Blood movement in response to neuronal activity ## Footnote Neurons use oxygen from blood, causing localized changes in blood flow.
53
What is the BOLD signal in fMRI?
Blood Oxygen Level Dependent signal ## Footnote It reflects differences in magnetic properties of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin.
54
What are the strengths of MRI/fMRI?
Spatial resolution, high-resolution images with small voxels ## Footnote Useful for seeing differences in structures or activity.
55
What are the weaknesses of MRI/fMRI?
Poor temporal resolution ## Footnote Difficult to link structure to behavior in real-time.
56
What are some difficulties in MRI/fMRI research?
Need to be near a scanner, affordability, expertise in usage ## Footnote These factors limit accessibility and effective research.
57
What applications in research are associated with MRI/fMRI?
Activity related to behavior, co-activation, networks ## Footnote Targeting these connections can enhance treatment for disorders like depression.
58
Fill in the blank: The magnetic properties of _______ and deoxygenated haemoglobin differ.
oxygenated haemoglobin
59
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
Central nervous system and Peripheral nervous system ## Footnote The Peripheral nervous system is further divided into somatic and autonomic systems.
60
What are the components of the hindbrain?
Pons, Medulla, Cerebellum
61
What is the function of the pons?
Conscious arousal, relays sensory information, regulates respiration, involved in sleep and dreaming
62
What is the role of the medulla?
Controls vital life functions: heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, vomiting, reflexes, and swallowing
63
What is the cerebellum primarily responsible for?
Balance and movement
64
What is the primary function of the midbrain?
Basic auditory and visual stimuli processing, eye movement control, movements in sexual behavior and fighting
65
What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
Occipital, Parietal, Temporal, Frontal
66
What does the occipital lobe deal with?
Vision
67
What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?
Spatial perception
68
What is the significance of the temporal lobe?
Auditory information processing and memory
69
What is the frontal lobe responsible for?
Motor output and planning
70
Fill in the blank: Afferent nerves take information from ______ to the brain and spinal cord.
sensory organs
71
Fill in the blank: Efferent neurons are ______ neurons.
motor
72
What are cranial nerves responsible for?
Control movement and carry sensation from head to neck, with some regulating glandular secretion
73
What disorder is caused by cranial nerve damage and involves facial muscle paralysis?
Bell's Palsy
74
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia commonly referred to as?
The 'suicide disease'
75
What is photic sneezing?
Sneezing in response to looking at bright lights
76
What is the role of the thalamus?
Receiving and relay station for sensory input
77
What does the hypothalamus regulate?
Homeostasis and species typical behaviors, such as feeding and body temperature
78
What are the three layers of the meninges?
Dura mater, Arachnoid mater, Pia mater
79
What is the function of the limbic system?
Emotion regulation and memory
80
What does the amygdala manage?
Expression of emotion and fear
81
What happens if the hippocampus is damaged on both sides?
Severe memory problems
82
What is the primary motor area responsible for?
Motor output and planning
83
What is the homunculus?
Mapping of the body surface onto the motor cortex
84
True or False: The left hemisphere is dominant for spatial awareness.
False
85
What does the primary sensory area do?
Processes basic sensory input
86
What is the role of association areas in the cortex?
Elaboration and higher functions, synthesizing information
87
Fill in the blank: The cortex in humans accounts for more than ______ of the brain's volume.
half
88
What are gyri and sulci?
Gyri are ridges; sulci are grooves between ridges
89
What is the primary function of the post-central gyrus?
Receiving area for skin senses
90
What can lead to Parkinson’s disease?
Degeneration of basal ganglia
91
What is Huntington’s disease?
A hereditary movement disorder causing uncontrolled writhing of muscles

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