Psych exam - biological science

What are the two main parts of the nervous system?

The central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).

What does the central nervous system consist of?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is the function of sensory neurons in the CNS?

They carry sensory information from the peripheral nervous system to the brain via the spinal cord.

What is the role of the somatic nervous system?

It receives motor messages from the CNS and transports them to skeletal muscles for voluntary movement.

How does the autonomic nervous system function?

It relays information between the CNS and internal systems, controlling involuntary activities essential for survival.

What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system?

To prepare the body for emergency action, often referred to as 'fight or flight'.

What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

To reverse bodily functions following sympathetic activation, known as 'rest and digest'.

What are the main features of a neuron?

They are specialized to receive, transmit, and process information.

What is the function of the myelin sheath?

It acts as an insulator and speeds up electrical conductivity along the axon.

What is the role of motor neurons?

To connect to muscles, glands, and organs, directly controlling muscle movement.

What do sensory neurons do?

They process sensory information from sense organs and carry it to the CNS.

What are interneurons?

Neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons in the CNS.

What is the significance of neurotransmitters?

They allow neurons to communicate by relaying information across synapses.

What occurs at the synapse during neural transmission?

The electrical nerve impulse is converted into a chemical signal and then back into electrical.

What does the hindbrain regulate?

Unconscious automatic survival functions, voluntary muscle movements, balance, and coordination.

Which area of the brain controls balance and voluntary movement?

The cerebellum.

What critical function does the medulla serve?

It regulates vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion.

What is the role of the thalamus?

To receive and relay sensory information to and from the spinal cord to the brain.

What does the hypothalamus help maintain?

Homeostasis by regulating hormones and functions like hunger, thirst, and sleep.

What are the two cerebral hemispheres responsible for?

The left hemisphere handles verbal and analytical tasks, while the right hemisphere is responsible for non-verbal and motor tasks.

What is Broca's area involved in?

The production of clear speech and sentence structure.

What is Wernicke's area responsible for?

The comprehension of speech.

What is the difference between Broca’s Aphasia and Wernicke’s Aphasia?

Broca’s involves difficulty producing speech, while Wernicke’s involves difficulty understanding language.

What does an electroencephalogram (EEG) measure?

Brain activity in real time by detecting electrical activity through electrodes on the scalp.

What is an advantage of CT scans?

They can image bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels simultaneously.

What does an MRI use to produce images of the brain?

A strong magnetic field and radio waves.

What does fMRI measure?

Where neurons consume oxygen in real time, creating a dynamic map of brain activity.

What is the focus of functional imaging techniques?

To show brain function in real time.

What differentiates temporal resolution from spatial resolution?

Temporal resolution detects when brain activity occurs, while spatial resolution identifies which specific part of the brain is active.