Quiz Intro To Psychology -- Biopsychology

The firing of a neuron refers to the generation and transmission of an electrical signal called an action potential. This statement correctly states that the firing of a neuron is an all-or-nothing event. This means that once the action potential threshold is reached, the neuron will fire and transmit the signal along its axon. However, if the action potential threshold is not reached, the neuron will not fire and there will be no transmission of the signal. Therefore, the statement is true.

The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the spinal cord and brain. The PNS consists of all the neurons and nerves that are not part of the brain and spinal cord and include the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

Dendrites are the part of the neuron that receive messages from other cells. They are branch-like structures that extend from the cell body and have many receptors on their surface. These receptors allow dendrites to receive chemical signals, called neurotransmitters, from other neurons. Once the neurotransmitters bind to the receptors on the dendrites, they generate electrical signals that are then transmitted to the cell body and further along the neuron through the axon. Therefore, dendrites play a crucial role in the communication between neurons by receiving and integrating incoming signals.

Neuroscience is the correct answer because it is the branch of life sciences that specifically focuses on the structure and functioning of the brain, as well as the neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue that make up the nervous system. It encompasses various disciplines such as biology, psychology, and other related fields, making it a comprehensive study of the nervous system and its complexities.

The somatic system is involved in voluntary, skeletal muscle movement. This system is responsible for transmitting signals from the brain to the skeletal muscles, allowing us to consciously control our movements. Unlike the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions, the somatic system is under our conscious control. Therefore, it is the correct answer to the question.

Laterilization refers to the specialization of function in each hemisphere of the brain, particularly regarding differences in language ability. It means that certain cognitive functions, such as language processing, are predominantly localized in one hemisphere of the brain, usually the left hemisphere in right-handed individuals. This specialization allows for efficient and coordinated processing of information.

The nervous system is a complex network of cells, including neurons and glial cells, that transmits signals and carries information to and from all parts of the body. It is responsible for coordinating and controlling bodily functions, including sensory perception, motor responses, and cognitive processes. The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves branching out from the spinal cord). It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and allowing organisms to interact with their environment.

The forebrain is the correct answer because it is the largest part of the brain and contains the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the limbic system. The forebrain is responsible for higher cognitive functions, sensory processing, and controlling emotions and behavior. It plays a crucial role in perception, memory, language, and decision-making.

The right hemisphere of the brain is more involved in the nonverbal, creative, emotional thought and recognition, and facial and pattern recognition. The left hemisphere controls aspects of the spoken and written language, logical thought, and analysis of detail.

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter associated with both Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. In Parkinson's disease, there is a deficiency of dopamine in the brain, leading to movement difficulties and tremors. In schizophrenia, there is an imbalance of dopamine levels, with an excess of dopamine activity in certain areas of the brain, contributing to the symptoms of psychosis. Dopamine plays a crucial role in regulating movement, motivation, reward, and cognitive function, making it a key neurotransmitter involved in these two conditions.

The reticular formation is a brain structure that plays a crucial role in regulating arousal and attention. It filters incoming sensory information and determines which stimuli to focus on and which ones to ignore. This allows us to pay attention to certain stimuli while disregarding others. The medulla, cerebellum, and pons are not directly involved in attention and do not have the same functions as the reticular formation in this context.

PET (positron emission tomography) scan is the method used for studying the brain that involves injection of a radioactive tracer. This technique allows the visualization of brain activity by measuring the distribution of a radioactive substance that is injected into the bloodstream. The tracer emits positrons, which collide with electrons in the brain tissue, producing gamma rays that can be detected by the PET scanner. This information is then used to create a detailed map of brain function and activity. MRI and CT scans are imaging techniques that provide structural information, while EEG measures electrical activity in the brain.

Neurotransmitter molecules work by fitting into receptor sites on the next cell, stimulating or inhibiting that cell's firing. Receptors are specialized proteins located on the surface of cells that specifically bind to neurotransmitters. When a neurotransmitter binds to its corresponding receptor, it triggers a series of chemical reactions that either excite or inhibit the receiving cell, influencing its firing or activity. This interaction between neurotransmitters and receptors is crucial for the transmission of signals in the nervous system.

Heroin mimics the actions of endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body. By inhibiting pain signals and creating a "high" feeling, heroin acts as an agonist for itself. An agonist is a substance that activates or enhances the activity of a receptor in the body, in this case, the opioid receptors. Therefore, heroin acts as an agonist for the opioid receptors, producing its characteristic effects.

Myelin is a substance that insulates and protects the axons of neurons, which are responsible for transmitting neural messages throughout the body. By forming a sheath around the axons, myelin helps to speed up the transmission of these messages, allowing for more efficient communication between different parts of the nervous system.