Exam 4: The Brain and Nervous System

Hormones are produced primarily by:

Which structure in the brain has often been called the "gateway to memory"?

Your textbook describes an EEG recording as analogous to "listening to a game while standing outside a sports stadium." Explain this analogy.

Why is the parasympathetic nervous system compared to the brake of a car?

Abnormally low levels of serotonin and dopamine have been associated with harmful effects. Explain these effects and describe what psychologists know about this relationship using your knowledge of correlational studies. What might be an easy assumption to make that may not necessarily be accurate?

What is the difference between "grey matter" and "white matter" in the brain?

How can scientists study the living brain if it is protected by the skull? The textbook notes several methods for this type of study. Describe the different techniques that have been used to explore the workings of the brain.

The somatic nervous system is also called the:

While Bridget is walking on the road, a bicyclist swerves toward her. Her heart races and sweat breaks out as she jumps out of harm's way. Soon, Bridget's heart rate begins to decrease. This calming reaction is due to the action of Bridget's:

Research on sex hormones suggests that:

Carmella had a stroke that caused damage to her brain. As a result, she can longer form new memories about people she meets or information she learns. Which part of Carmella's brain is most likely damaged?

Which of the following is true of spinal reflexes?

The outer part of each adrenal gland produces _______________, which increases blood sugar levels and boosts energy.

A surgeon is probing an area of association cortex in your brain with a stimulation probe. Which of the following would you most likely experience?

Dr. McClelland is studying patterns of electrical activity in the brain, which are being translated into wavy lines on a screen. Which method is she most likely to be using?

When a neurotransmitter binds briefly with a receptor site, the ultimate effect is either excitatory or inhibitory. Explain the effects of each.

Explain the experimental procedure used when split-brain patients were shown composite photographs. Why did the patients claim to notice nothing unusual about the original photographs?

Sex hormones are secreted by tissue in the _______________ and also by the adrenal glands.

Name two hormones discussed in the textbook and explain some of the tasks that these hormones perform.

_______________ is an approach used only with animals to study the brain.