PSYC_1110-05_03_Brain-mind-behaviour_chp3

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

What are the functions of motor neurons?

Motor neurons control and regulate movement.

What defines the action potential in neurons?

An action potential is an all-or-nothing event resulting from the exchange of ions.

What is the role of neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters activate receptors and alter the likelihood of postsynaptic cell firing.

What does the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis regulate?

The HPA axis regulates the stress response.

What is neural plasticity?

Neural plasticity is the ability of the structure and functional properties of neurons to change with experience.

Define agonist and antagonist drugs in the context of neurotransmitter activity.

Agonist drugs mimic or facilitate neurotransmitter action, while antagonist drugs block or interfere with neurotransmitter activity.

What is the primary function of the hippocampus?

The hippocampus is involved in core memory functions, linking events to space and time.

What brain structures are involved in the limbic system?

The amygdala and hippocampus are key structures involved in the limbic system.

What does the frontal lobe of the brain control?

The frontal lobe controls complex thought, planning, and movement.

What technology is used to measure brain activity through electrical signals?

Electroencephalography (EEG) measures electrical potentials of large groups of neurons.

What impacts can chronic stress have on the brain?

Chronic stress can reduce dendritic branching in the prefrontal cortex and impair attention.

How do psychoactive drugs affect the nervous system?

Psychoactive drugs alter attention, memory, mood, perception, and can create dependence.

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

The basal ganglia are required for motor learning, planning, execution, and adjustment.

What happens during saltatory conduction in neurons?

Saltatory conduction allows the action potential to jump between nodes of Ranvier, increasing speed.