Topic 4 - Neuropsychology

Question 1

What is Neuropsychology?

Answer 1

The study of how the brain and nervous system affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Neuropsychologists assess cognitive function, diagnose brain conditions, and develop treatments.

Question 2

What are neurons?

Answer 2

Basic units of the nervous system.

Neurons consist of dendrites, soma, axon, myelin sheath, and axon terminals.

Question 3

What is the function of dendrites?

Answer 3

Receive messages.

Question 4

What is the role of the soma in a neuron?

Answer 4

Processes information.

Question 5

What does the axon do?

Answer 5

Sends signals.

Question 6

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

Answer 6

Speeds up impulses.

Question 7

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 7

Chemicals that send messages across synapses.

Question 8

What is the function of excitatory neurotransmitters?

Answer 8

Fire signal.

Question 9

What is the function of inhibitory neurotransmitters?

Answer 9

Block signal.

Question 10

Name two excitatory neurotransmitters.

Answer 10

• Dopamine
• Glutamate

Question 11

Name two inhibitory neurotransmitters.

Answer 11

• Serotonin
• GABA

Question 12

What is the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

Answer 12

Brain + Spinal Cord.

Question 13

What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) include?

Answer 13

All other nerves.

Question 14

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Answer 14

Voluntary control (e.g., walking).

Question 15

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 15

Involuntary control (e.g., heartbeat).

Question 16

What are the two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 16

• Sympathetic: Fight or Flight
• Parasympathetic: Rest and Digest

Question 17

What is the main function of the hindbrain?

Answer 17

Basic life support.

Question 18

What does the midbrain coordinate?

Answer 18

Sensory/motor coordination.

Question 19

What is the primary function of the forebrain?

Answer 19

Complex cognition.

Question 20

What does the amygdala regulate?

Answer 20

Emotions (fear/aggression).

Question 21

What is the role of the hippocampus?

Answer 21

Memory.

Question 22

What does the hypothalamus maintain?

Answer 22

Homeostasis (hunger, temperature).

Question 23

What functions are associated with the left hemisphere of the brain?

Answer 23

• Language
• Logic

Question 24

What functions are associated with the right hemisphere of the brain?

Answer 24

• Creativity
• Spatial skills

Question 25

What are the four cortical lobes and their functions?

Answer 25

* Frontal: Decision-making, movement, personality * Parietal: Sensory info, spatial awareness * Occipital: Vision * Temporal: Hearing, memory, language

Question 26

What is a conscious response?

Answer 26

Planned actions (e.g., deciding to move).

Question 27

What is an unconscious response?

Answer 27

Reflexes, automatic actions (e.g., pulling away from heat).

Question 28

What is a spinal reflex arc?

Answer 28

Fast, automatic response involving spinal cord only.

Question 29

What is the vagus nerve?

Answer 29

Longest cranial nerve connecting brain to organs.

Question 30

What is the function of the vagus nerve?

Answer 30

Calms the body; part of the parasympathetic system.

Question 31

What are the types of stress?

Answer 31

* Acute: Short-term * Chronic: Long-term * Eustress: Positive stress

Question 32

What is cortisol?

Answer 32

Stress hormone that affects memory and immune system when overproduced.

Question 33

What is brain plasticity?

Answer 33

The brain's ability to adapt and change.

Question 34

What boosts brain plasticity?

Answer 34

* Learning * Exercise * Social interaction

Question 35

What harms brain plasticity?

Answer 35

* Stress * Poor sleep * Drug use

Question 36

What is neurodiversity?

Answer 36

Natural variation in brain function (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia).

Question 37

What is an acquired brain injury (ABI)?

Answer 37

Injury such as stroke or concussion.

Question 38

What are neurological disorders?

Answer 38

Conditions like Parkinson’s and epilepsy.

Question 39

What is CTE?

Answer 39

Chronic damage from repeated trauma (common in athletes).

Question 40

What is the first step in the model of response?

Answer 40

Stimulus.

Question 41

What is the role of receptors in the response model?

Answer 41

Detect the stimulus.

Question 42

What carries the message to the CNS?

Answer 42

Sensory Neuron.

Question 43

What processes the information in the CNS?

Answer 43

Central Nervous System (CNS).

Question 44

What sends the command from the CNS to the effector?

Answer 44

Motor Neuron.

Question 45

What is an effector?

Answer 45

Part of the body that produces the response.

Question 46

What is the final step in the response model?

Answer 46

Response.

Question 47

What is the flow diagram for the response model?

Answer 47

Stimulus → Receptor → Sensory Neuron → CNS → Motor Neuron → Effector → Response

Question 48

What is a special case of the response model?

Answer 48

Spinal Reflex Arc.

Question 49

What is the pathway of the spinal reflex arc?

Answer 49

Stimulus → Receptor → Sensory Neuron → Spinal Cord (Interneuron) → Motor Neuron → Effector → Response

Question 50

What allows you to react before feeling pain?

Answer 50

Spinal Reflex Arc.

Question 51

What is an example scenario for the response model?

Answer 51

Touching a hot pan.