Chapter 2.1: Synapses

Question 1

How well did Sherrington’s inferences about synapses harmonize with Cajal’s conclusions about the anatomy of neurons?

Answer 1

The two conclusions supported each other.

Question 2

Sherrington based his conclusion on what type of evidence?

Answer 2

Observations of reflexive responses.

Question 3

Although one pinch did not cause a dog to flex its leg, a rapid sequence of pinches did. Sherrington cites this observation as evidence for what?

Answer 3

Temporal summation

Question 4

Although one pinch did not cause a dog to flex its leg, several simultaneous pinches at nearby locations did. Sherrington cites this observation as evidence for what?

Answer 4

Spatial summation.

Question 5

According to Sherrington, why do the extensor muscles of a leg relax when the flexor muscles contract?

Answer 5

Inhibitory connections jn the spinal cord.

Question 6

In the membrane of a neuron, what happens during a IPSP?

Answer 6

The potassium or chloride gates open.

Question 7

In what way were Sherrington’s conclusions important for psychology as well as neuroscience?

Answer 7

He demonstrated the importance of inhibition.