Bio psych - 3

What are neurons specialized for?

Neurons are specialized brain cells that communicate with one another.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that allow neuron-to-neuron communication.

What is a synapse?

The space between neurons where neurotransmitters travel.

What is neurotransmission?

The process of communication inside neurons (electrical) and between neurons (chemical).

What happens when neurotransmitters are released?

They bind with receptor sites of the next neuron.

What terminates the neurotransmission process?

Neurotransmitters return to the axon terminal.

What are the two types of neurotransmission effects?

Excitatory and inhibitory.

What is resting potential?

The state of a neuron when it is not actively firing.

Name the most common neurotransmitters in the CNS.

Glutamine and GABA.

What is glutamine known for?

Being excitatory, it is important for learning and memory.

What is GABA's role in the CNS?

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

What neurotransmitter is associated with arousal and muscle movement?

Acetylcholine.

What are monamines?

A type of neurotransmitter made from one amino acid.

List the functions of norepinephrine.

Brain arousal, mood, hunger, and sleep.

What role does dopamine play in the body?

It is involved in motor function and rewards.

What is serotonin linked to?

Mood, temperature regulation, aggression, and sleep cycles.

What are neuropeptides?

Short strings of amino acids that regulate hunger, learning, and memory.

What are endorphins associated with?

Relief from pain.

What do anandamines relate to?

Hunger, learning, and memory.

What does the central nervous system do?

Processes sensory information and sends out decisions.

How is the central nervous system protected?

By meninges and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles.

What are the four main divisions of the cerebral cortex?

Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.

What is the function of the frontal lobe?

Motor functions, language, and memory.

What is Broca’s area responsible for?

Speech production.

What is the role of the parietal lobe?

Processes sensory information like pressure, pain, and temperature.

What does the temporal lobe control?

Hearing and language comprehension.

What is the primary role of the occipital lobe?

Vision.

What does the basal ganglia control?

Movement.

What does the limbic system regulate?

Emotions, motivation, and memory.

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Regulates internal bodily states and controls the pituitary gland.

What role does the thalamus play?

Relays information from sense organs to the primary sensory cortex.

What does the amygdala process?

Fear, excitement, and arousal.

What does the hippocampus assist with?

Spatial memory.

What does the cerebellum contribute to?

Balance, coordination of movements, and motor skills.

What does the brain stem connect?

Connects the cerebral cortex and spinal cord.

What basic bodily functions does the brain stem control?

Breathing, heartbeat, and sleep regulation.

What are the two parts of the peripheral nervous system?

Somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?

Voluntary control of muscles.

What is the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?

Sympathetic is 'fight or flight'; parasympathetic is 'rest and digest'.

What does neural plasticity refer to?

The nervous system's ability to change over time.

What is phrenology?

The idea that bumps on the skull correspond to brain enlargements.

What does EEG measure?

Electrical activity generated by the brain.

What do CT and MRI scans visualize?

The structure of the brain.

What role does functional MRI (fMRI) serve?

Measures changes in blood oxygen levels as an indicator of brain activity.

What is the difference between nature and nurture?

Nature refers to genetics; nurture refers to environment.

What does heritability indicate?

The percentage of variability in a trait attributable to genetics.

What are twin studies used for?

To differentiate between genetic and environmental influences on traits.

What are adoption studies used to investigate?

The effects of genetics versus environment on behavior.