Chapter 3 Biological Psychology

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

Brain cells that specialize in communication.

Question 2

Glial cells

Answer 2

Provide structural support to neurons.

Question 3

Dendrites

Answer 3

Receive information from other cells.

Question 4

Soma

Answer 4

Neuron’s metabolic center.

Question 5

Axon

Answer 5

Long fiber that extends from the cell’s body and transmits information.

Question 6

Axon terminal

Answer 6

Knob at the end of the axon that contains synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitters.

Question 7

Neurotransmitters

Answer 7

Chemical messengers that allow neuron-to-neuron communication.

Question 8

The direction of neural transmission:

Answer 8

Dendrites -> soma -> axon -> terminal button -> synapse -> dendrite

Question 9

Excitatory messages

Answer 9

Cell loses the negative charge (depolarization).

Question 10

Inhibitory messages

Answer 10

Cell becomes more negatively charged (hyperpolarization).

Question 11

Chemical Communication

Answer 11

Some NTs excite the nervous system, whereas other NTs inhibit the nervous system.

Question 12

The most common NTs in the central system

Answer 12

Glutamate and GABA.

Question 13

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 13

Influences arousal, selective attention, sleep, and memory.

Question 14

Drugs that interact with neurotransmitter systems are called:

Answer 14

Psychoactive

Question 15

Agonists

Answer 15

Increase NT activity.

Question 16

Antagonists

Answer 16

Decrease in NT activity.

Question 17

Opioids

Answer 17

Mimic endorphins.

Question 18

Alcohol, Xanax

Answer 18

Stimulate GABA receptors.

Question 19

Prozac, Paxil

Answer 19

Block serotonin reuptake.

Question 20

Cocaine

Answer 20

Blocks dopamine reuptake.

Question 21

1. Somatic nervous system

Answer 21

Conveys information between the CNS and the body.

Question 22

2. Autonomic nervous system

Answer 22

Controls the involuntary actions of internal organs and glands.

Question 23

Sympathetic

Answer 23

Prepares the body for action: “fight or flight”.

Question 24

Parasympathetic

Answer 24

Controls rest and digestion.

Question 25

Hindbrain

Answer 25

Basic life support

Question 26

Midbrain

Answer 26

Relay station

Question 27

Forebrain

Answer 27

Higher mental functions

Question 28

Cerebellum

Answer 28

Plays a predominant role in our sense of balance.

Question 29

Pons

Answer 29

Connects the cortex to the cerebellum and triggers dreams.

Question 30

Medulla

Answer 30

Regulates breathing, heartbeat, and other vital functions.

Question 31

Gray matter

Answer 31

Composed of somas and dendrites.

Question 32

White matter

Answer 32

Composed of myelinated axons.

Question 33

Frontal lobe

Answer 33

Oversee and organize most other brain functions (executive functioning).

Question 34

Prefrontal cortex

Answer 34

Responsible for thinking, planning, and language.

Question 35

Motor cortex

Answer 35

Voluntary muscle movements.

Question 36

Broca’s area (left hemisphere)

Answer 36

Speech

Question 37

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 37

Sensitive to touch, pain, and temperature.

Question 38

Temporal lobe

Answer 38

Plays a role in hearing, understanding language, and storing autobiographical memories.

Question 39

Limbic system

Answer 39

The emotional center of the brain.

Question 40

Hypothalamus

Answer 40

Regulates and controls internal bodily states (4 F’s).

Question 41

Amygdala

Answer 41

Plays key roles in fear, excitement, and arousal.

Question 42

Basal ganglia

Answer 42

Forebrain structure that helps control movement.

Question 43

Right hemisphere

Answer 43

Spatial tasks, emotions.

Question 44

Left hemisphere

Answer 44

Verbal tasks.

Question 45

The Endocrine System

Answer 45

Communication system that uses the bloodstream rather than neurons.

Question 46

Hormones

Answer 46

Chemicals released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream.

Question 47

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Answer 47

Measures electrical activity via electrodes placed on skull.

Question 48

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer 48

Uses multiple X-rays to construct three-dimensional images.

Question 49

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 49

Measures consumption of glucose-like molecules to give a picture of neural activity.

Question 50

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Answer 50

Uses magnetic fields to visualize brain activity.