Chapter 3

Question 1

Which 2 parts of the neuron are most involved in delivery and reception of an electrical transmission?

Answer 1

Dendrite and Axon terminal

Question 2

What would a result in demyelination of the axon be?

Answer 2

A slow down in electrical transmission as myelin sheath speeds up transmission

Question 3

What is the purpose of the Nodes of Ranvier?

Answer 3

Momentarily slows down the transmission of an electrical impulse

Question 4

What type of cells form the myelin sheath?

Answer 4

Glial cells

Question 5

What other important roles do glial cells play in our nervous system?

Answer 5

They guide new neurons into place, nourish the neurons, detoxify them, and modulate communication between them

Question 6

What is the purpose of the blood brain barrier and what forms it?

Answer 6

Glial cells form the BBB and its purpose is to prevent the entrance of foreign substances from the blood into the brain

Question 7

If a graded potential occurs on a neuron, what does this mean?

Answer 7

It means that the neuron does not fire as it does not meet the threshold voltage of -55mV

Question 8

What “state” is the neuron in when it is at rest?

Answer 8

Polarized state

Question 9

During depolarization, what occurs?

Answer 9

Sodium flows into the neuron until +40mV is attained

Question 10

What is it called when potassium ions flow out of the neuron to restore the resting potential of the membrane?

Answer 10

Repolarization

Question 11

What implications can be drawn from the absolute refractory period?

Answer 11

It implies that there is a limit in the number of action potentials that occur for a neuron

Question 12

Why is the resting potential of a neuron -70mV?

Answer 12

Due to the uneven distribution of ions as there are more positive sodium ions out than there are positive potassium ions in

Question 13

Even if a single graded potential is not enough to cause an action potential, why is it possible for graded potentials to cause a neuron to fire?

Answer 13

Since neurons are connected, various graded potentials can be summed so the threshold is met to allow the neuron to fire.

Question 14

What is the all or none law?

Answer 14

States that the minimum threshold of -55mV must be met in order for the neuron to fire

Question 15

In chemical transmission, the axon terminal and dendrite of two separate neurons are related by?

Answer 15

Synaptic cleft

Question 16

What are the two primary categories of neurotransmitters?

Answer 16

Inhibitory and excitatory

Question 17

If an action potential is less likely to occur due to a neurotransmitter (in other words promotes the flow of potassium ions out of the neuron), what kind of NT is it?

Answer 17

Inhibitory

Question 18

What do excitatory neurotransmitters do to a neuron?

Answer 18

Makes them more likely to fire as they promote the entrance of sodium ions into the neuron

Question 19

Is it possible for any neurotransmitter to bind to any receptors? If so/not, explain why.

Answer 19

Due to the lock and key analogy, there is a degree of specifity between NT’s and receptors that prevents just any NT’s to bind to just any receptor

Question 20

What are the two methods of neurotransmitter deactivation?

Answer 20

Reuptake and breakdown

Question 21

Explain the process of neurotransmitter reuptake.

Answer 21

After detaching from the receptors, NT’s are reabsorbed into the pre-synaptic axon terminal

Question 22

Explain the process of neurotransmitter breakdown.

Answer 22

After detaching from the receptors, NT’s are degraded by enzymes in the synaptic cleft

Question 23

If a person is experiencing a seizure, what inferences can be made regarding the type of neurotransmitter that is predominantly acting?

Answer 23

That the NT’s are likely excitatory in nature

Question 24

If a person stops breathing, what inferences can be made regarding the type of neurotransmitter that is predominantly acting?

Answer 24

That the NT’s are likely inhibitory in nature

Question 25

What is cross talk and how is it prevented?

Answer 25

It is when a neuron is receiving inhibitory and excitatory signals but this is prevented as certain neurons contain either inhibitory or excitatory NT receptors (VERY BIG SIMPLIFCATION)

Question 26

What is the difference between neuromodulators and neurotransmitters?

Answer 26

While neurotransmitters have very specific effects, neuromodulators have more generalized effects

Question 27

If a drug is agonistic, what kind of effect does it have?

Answer 27

It promotes neurotransmitter activity

Question 28

If a drug decreases neurotransmitter activity, what kind of drug is it?

Answer 28

Antagonistic

Question 29

If we determine that a NT is involved with learning, can we (for certain) identify which neurotransmitter it is?

Answer 29

Likely not as almost all of the NT's we will be dealing with are involved in learning

Question 30

Which NT is most closely associated with Huntington's disease? What kind of NT is it?

Answer 30

GABA, inhibitory

Question 31

Other than learning, what else is glutamate involved in? What type of NT is it?

Answer 31

Memory, excitatory

Question 32

Acetylcholine is a _________ type of NT and is most associated with __________.

Answer 32

excitatory, motor control

Question 33

Botulistic bacteria can cause paralysis. Which NT do they most likely inhibit?

Answer 33

Acetylcholine

Question 34

If there are increases in depression, and an increase in stress and panic disorders, which NT is most likely being reduced?

Answer 34

Norepinephrine

Question 35

Which NT is most involved in reward, motivation, pleasurable feelings, and voluntary motor control?

Answer 35

Dopamine

Question 36

What are SSRI's and what are they thought to help with?

Answer 36

These are serotonin reuptake inhibitors that are thought to help with depression by increasing the time of mechanism by preventing reuptake into the pre-synaptic axon terminal

Question 37

Decreases in this NT are associated with Parkinson's while increases in it are associated with scizophrenia. Which NT is it?

Answer 37

Dopamine

Question 38

If you have an imbalance in this NT, you are often likely to develop depression, anxiety, insomnia, and eating disorders.

Answer 38

Serotonin

Question 39

This NT is often described to be our "biologically manufactured opiate" and is involved in pain management (dulling).

Answer 39

Endorphins

Question 40

What 2 branches make up the nervous system?

Answer 40

Central and peripheral

Question 41

What are spinal reflexes?

Answer 41

These are innate survival reflexes that our spinal chord has developed without the need for input from the brain.

Question 42

What 2 branches are there in the peripheral nervous system? Which of these branches is involved with voluntary and which is involved with involuntary movement?

Answer 42

Somatic = voluntary and autonomic = involuntary

Question 43

How does the somatic system cause muscle movement?

Answer 43

Sensory neurons send sensory information to the brain that triggers the motor neurons to generate a response in the form of movement

Question 44

What is the difference in the way that the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems behave?

Answer 44

Sympathetic excites while the parasympathetic calms. The effects that the sympathetic has are more widespread while parasympathetic often has more localized effects.

Question 45

What do neuropsychological tests allow us to infer?

Answer 45

The state of cognition, brain function, etc.

Question 46

What is the process of using electrical impulses to examine and map out the brain called?

Answer 46

Destruction and stimulation

Question 47

What are the 2 types of structural forms of neuroimaging?

Answer 47

CT and MRI (computerized topography and magnetic resonance imaging)

Question 48

What is the difference between PET scans and fMRI scans?

Answer 48

While both track bloodflow to the brain during certain events, PET radioactively marks hemoglobin while fMRI tracks hemoglobin as it responds to magnetic impulses.

Question 49

How do EEG's (electroencephalograms) act as a functional form of neuroimaging?

Answer 49

It uses electrical impulses to track neural activity during events such as EVENT RELATED POTENTIALS

Question 50

What are the 3 main parts of the hindbrain?

Answer 50

Cerebellum, pons, and medulla

Question 51

What is the primary part of the midbrain that we will be discussing?

Answer 51

The reticular formation

Question 52

What are the 4 parts of the forebrain that we will be discussing?

Answer 52

Thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and pituitary gland

Question 53

What are the 3 main parts of the limbic system that we will be discussing?

Answer 53

Hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and the amygdala

Question 54

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

Answer 54

Fine motor control and muscle memory

Question 55

What are the 3 things that the pons responsible for?

Answer 55

Sleep regulation, dreams, and respiration

Question 56

What 2 things is the medulla responsible for?

Answer 56

Heart rate and respiration

Question 57

Why is the reticular formation called the "gatekeeper" or the brain's "dam"?

Answer 57

Because it can dictate how much information gets transmitted to the cerebral cortex from the hindbrain.

Question 58

What is the thalamus involved in?

Answer 58

Like a sensory springbroad, is responsible in relaying sensory information to the rest of the brain

Question 59

What is the basal ganglia responsible for?

Answer 59

Also involved in motor control but is also involved in reward/motivation

Question 60

What is the pituitary gland responsible for?

Answer 60

Secreting MANY hormones of the body

Question 61

What is the hypothalamus responsible for?

Answer 61

Controls various biological drives such as eating, temperature regulation, etc.

Question 62

What is the hippocampus responsible for?

Answer 62

Formation and recollection of memories and navigation

Question 63

What is the amygdala responsible for?

Answer 63

Emotional response patterns, especially those in response to stress

Question 64

What is the nucleus accumbens responsible for?

Answer 64

Very involved in dopaminergic responses as it dictates behavior related to pleasure and reward

Question 65

If vision becomes impaired, which of the four lobes of the brain was most likely affected?

Answer 65

Occipital

Question 66

If hearing becomes impaired, which of the four lobes was most likely affected?

Answer 66

Temporal

Question 67

If motor control becomes impaired which of the four lobes was most likely affected?

Answer 67

Frontal

Question 68

If you are having trouble physically feeling and sensing things around you, which of the four lobes was most likely affected?

Answer 68

Parietal

Question 69

If self-awareness, speech, and emotional regulation are reduced, which of the four lobes was most likely affected?

Answer 69

Frontal

Question 70

If you are having trouble with understanding what someone has to say, which of the four lobes was most likely affected?

Answer 70

Temporal

Question 71

What is the association cortex?

Answer 71

These are neurons that are not directly involved with any specific function but are involved with generating neural activity that aid in the occurrence of these specific functions.

Question 72

Where is the primary motor cortex located?

Answer 72

Hind frontal lobe

Question 73

In which lobe is the somatosensory cortex located?

Answer 73

Parietal

Question 74

If your left expenditures are starting to feel numb, which side of the brain is likely to have experienced an issue?

Answer 74

Right Hemisphere

Question 75

True or false. If your right side of the brain has experienced any issues, the right side of your body will be experiencing issues as well.

Answer 75

False, it's the Left Hemisphere

Question 76

What would happen if you have a stroke in Wernicke's area?

Answer 76

An issue in comprehending language would arise.

Question 77

What would happen if you have a stroke in Broca's area?

Answer 77

An issue in developing speech would arise.

Question 78

In which lobe is Broca's area located?

Answer 78

Frontal lobe

Question 79

In which lobe is Wernicke's area located?

Answer 79

Temporal lobe

Question 80

Why is the primary motor cortex next to Broca's area?

Answer 80

Because Broca's area is involved in speech formulation, the primary motor cortex is important in enforcing voluntary muscle movement of the tongue to generate speech.

Question 81

What is neural plasticity?

Answer 81

This is the neuron's ability to change in structure and function over time.

Question 82

True or false. Increased use and activity will cause neurons to increase in plasticity?

Answer 82

True. One analogy would be like working out. If you work out a certain muscle (neuron), they will go stronger (increased neural plasticity).

Question 83

True or false. Plasticity is constant throughout one's lifetime.

Answer 83

False. Plasticity is highest in young children and gradually decreases as one gets older.

Question 84

What is evidence for children having higher plasticity?

Answer 84

1. They have much more synapses 2. They are able to learn languages easier than adults

Question 85

What is pruning and what causes it?

Answer 85

Connections are lost and synpases are degraded due to decreased use/function.

Question 86

What is neurogenesis?

Answer 86

This is the process of new neurons being created

Question 87

Can neurogenesis be modulated?

Answer 87

Yes! Exercise can promote it while alcohol and drugs can suppress it.

Question 88

What is lateralization?

Answer 88

This discusses how certain functions are localized to certain parts of the brain

Question 89

Language, logic, and positive emotion are localized to which hemisphere?

Answer 89

Left

Question 90

Negative emotion, creativity, spatial and melody processing, and imagery are localized to which hemisphere?

Answer 90

Right

Question 91

Which part of the brain is cut to prevent communication between the two hemispheres of the brain?

Answer 91

Corpus callosum

Question 92

Is it possible for the two hemispheres to behave independently of one another after the corpus callosum is severed?

Answer 92

Yes, through completely lateralizing certain functions in one of the two halves. For example, language in the left.