chapters 3 and 5

A CT scan primarily uses:

X-rays

Which brain imaging technique uses a mildly radioactive tracer to show brain activity?

PET scan

A PET scan is especially useful for:

Creating a rough map of brain activity during behavior.

An MRI scan produces images by:

Using strong magnetic fields.

What does an fMRI specifically measure?

Changes in blood flow and oxygen levels to show brain activity over time.

Compared to a PET scan, an fMRI:

Has higher spatial and temporal resolution.

EEG is best known for:

Recording electrical activity (brainwaves) using electrodes.

a

a

If a researcher wanted extremely fast (millisecond-level) information about brain electrical changes, they should use:

EEG

The key difference between a CT scan and an MRI is:

CT uses X-rays; MRI uses magnetic fields.

How does PET scanning differ from fMRI?

PET uses radioactive tracers; fMRI tracks blood oxygen levels.

If you wanted to find out whether a tumor was causing brain atrophy, the best imaging technique would be:

CT scan

c

c

Electrical synapses in the brain are:

Less common but much faster than chemical synapses.

In the brain, chemical synapses differ from electrical synapses because:

Chemical synapses involve neurotransmitters crossing a gap, electrical synapses do not.

Which brain imaging technique uses magnetic fields but not radiation?

MRI

Which scan would most likely involve drinking or injecting a tracer substance?

PET scan

Which imaging technique is most useful for measuring real-time brainwave patterns?

EEG

b

b

Which technique is best for observing changes in brain oxygen levels associated with different tasks?

fMRI

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection suggests that:

Organisms better suited for their environment will survive and reproduce.

What is genetic variation?

Genetic differences between individuals that contribute to species' adaptation.

What is a genotype?

The genetic makeup of an individual.

Which statement best describes gene-environment interaction?

Genes set potential limits, and environment determines where we fall within them.

In genetic-environmental correlation, how do genes and environment relate?

Genes influence environment and environment influences gene expression.

A child of an NBA player growing up around basketballs illustrates:

Genetic-environmental correlation

Which cells provide scaffolding, nutrients, and immune support for neurons?

Glial cells

Neurons transmit electrical impulses using what structure?

Axon

What is the role of the myelin sheath?

Increase the speed of electrical signal transmission.

What is the synapse?

The space between the terminal button of one neuron and the dendrite of another.

In resting potential, which ion is concentrated inside the neuron?

Potassium

Action potential can best be described as:

A huge spike in positive membrane potential causing a neuron to fire.

The all-or-none phenomenon means:

A neuron either fires completely or not at all.

Dopamine is mainly associated with:

Pleasure

Increasing GABA activity would most likely:

Reduce anxiety

Which neurotransmitter is related to learning and memory enhancement?

Glutamate

A psychoactive drug that mimics a neurotransmitter at a receptor site is called a:

Agonist

A drug that blocks the normal activity of a neurotransmitter is:

Antagonist

An SSRI would primarily:

Prevent the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability.

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of:

Brain and spinal cord

Which division controls voluntary movements?

Somatic

Which system controls 'fight or flight' responses?

Sympathetic nervous system

Returning the body to normal after stress involves:

Parasympathetic system

The spinal cord:

Connects the brain to the outside world and can initiate reflexes.

The corpus callosum connects:

The left and right hemispheres.

The thalamus acts primarily as:

A sensory relay station.

The hippocampus is essential for:

Forming long-term memories.

Damage to the amygdala might primarily affect:

Emotional processing

The occipital lobe is responsible for:

Vision

Transduction refers to:

Converting sensory stimulus energy into neural signals.

Absolute threshold measures:

The minimum stimulus needed for detection 50% of the time.

In bottom-up processing:

Sensory input drives perception.

Which principle explains the 'gorilla experiment' where participants missed the obvious gorilla

Dopamine is most closely linked with:

Pleasure, reward, and voluntary movement

Low levels of dopamine are commonly associated with:

Parkinson’s disease

High levels of dopamine may contribute to symptoms of:

Schizophrenia

GABA mainly functions as:

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neural activity

Increased GABA activity would likely result in:

Less anxiety and calmer behavior

Decreased GABA levels are associated with:

Anxiety disorders

Glutamate plays a major role in:

Learning and memory enhancement

An excess of glutamate could potentially lead to:

Neuronal damage and excitotoxicity

Serotonin is best known for its role in:

Mood regulation, digestion, and appetite

Low levels of serotonin are often linked to:

Depression and mood disorders

Which neurotransmitter is most strongly involved in the regulation of alertness and arousal?

Norepinephrine

An increase in norepinephrine would likely:

Heighten attention and arousal

Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in suppressing appetite?

Norepinephrine

If a drug increased GABA but decreased glutamate, what would likely happen?

The person would become calmer and less anxious.

If a drug acted as a dopamine agonist, it would:

Mimic dopamine and increase feelings of pleasure

SSRIs help treat depression by:

Preventing serotonin reuptake so serotonin stays active longer

A drug that blocks dopamine receptors would act as a:

Dopamine antagonist

Which neurotransmitter is directly recycled into norepinephrine?

Dopamine

Glutamate and GABA are functionally:

Opposites: Glutamate excites, GABA inhibits

If a patient has trouble learning new information and a brain scan shows low glutamate activity, a doctor might conclude:

Their brain’s ability to form new memories is impaired.