2113 Exam 1 Study Guide.docx: 202680-Fall 2026-PSYC-2113-002-Intro Brain Behav Mental Procs

Trepanation/Trephination

An ancient medical procedure where a hole is drilled into the skull to treat injuries or release evil spirits.

Phrenology

A discredited belief that a person's character can be determined by the shape of their skull.

Biopsychology-Related Fields

Areas of study that explore how biology affects our thoughts and behaviors, including neuropsychology and behavioral neuroscience.

Transhumanism

A movement that supports improving human abilities through advanced technologies.

Neural Dust

Tiny sensors placed in the body to check and influence biological activities.

Central vs Peripheral Nervous System

The Central Nervous System (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) has all other nerves.

Sensory vs Motor Neurons

Sensory neurons send information to the brain, while motor neurons send commands from the brain to muscles.

Basic structures of the neuron

Neurons have dendrites (to receive signals), a soma (the body), an axon (to send signals), and axon terminals (to release chemicals).

Organelles

Special parts of a cell that perform specific functions, like mitochondria for energy and ribosomes for making proteins.

Glial Cells Functions

Cells that support neurons by providing nutrients, maintaining a stable environment, and helping with signal transmission.

Brain Slices/Planes

Different ways to cut the brain: sagittal (side view), coronal (front view), and horizontal (top view).

Anatomical Directions in the Brain

Words like anterior (front) and posterior (back) used to describe locations in the brain.

Contralateral vs Ipsilateral

Contralateral means opposite sides of the body; ipsilateral means the same side.

Branches of the Autonomic Nervous System

Two parts of the nervous system: sympathetic (prepares for action) and parasympathetic (helps relax the body).

Spinal Cord: Dorsal vs Ventral Root

The dorsal root sends sensory information to the spinal cord, and the ventral root sends motor information away from it.

Gyri vs Sulci

Gyri are the raised parts of the brain, while sulci are the grooves in between.

Meninges

Three layers of protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Ventricles

Fluid-filled spaces in the brain that help produce and hold cerebrospinal fluid for protection.

Functions of Brain Areas/Systems

Different brain regions control specific functions, like movement and emotions.

Concentration of Ions in Neuron Membrane

The levels of different ions create an electrical charge across the neuron's membrane.

Resting Potential of Neuron Membrane

The voltage difference when a neuron is not firing, usually about -70 mV.

Ions in Action Potential

Sodium (Na+) enters the neuron for depolarization, and potassium (K+) exits for repolarization during the action potential.

Characteristics of Action Potential

A signal that travels along the neuron, marked by a rapid change in voltage that's all-or-nothing.

Voltage-gated vs Ligand-gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated channels open when voltage changes, ligand-gated channels open when chemicals bind to them.

Saltatory Conduction

The way action potentials speed up along myelinated axons by jumping between nodes.

Electric vs Chemical Synapses

Electrical synapses pass signals directly via ions; chemical synapses use neurotransmitters.

Diffusion and Electrostatic Pressure in Ions

Diffusion is the movement of ions from high to low concentration, while electrostatic pressure comes from the charge on ions.

Ligands

Molecules that bind to specific receptors on cells, often neurotransmitters.

Ionotropic vs Metabotropic Receptors

Ionotropic receptors act quickly by controlling ion flow, while metabotropic receptors work more slowly and affect internal processes.

Excitatory vs Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

Excitatory neurotransmitters promote action potentials; inhibitory ones reduce them.

Agonist vs Antagonist

Agonists trigger a response in a receptor; antagonists stop a receptor from working.

Monism vs Dualism

Monism argues that mind and body are one, while dualism states they are separate.