Exam 4: The Biological Mind: the Physical Basis of Behavior

Damage to the midbrain would most likely result in ____.

John reports to his doctor that he has been experiencing changes in his appetite. This suggests that John is experiencing fluctuations in which neurotransmitter?

If channels in the outer membrane of a neuron were blocked, what would be the consequence?

In autism spectrum disorder, a condition that involves deficits in language, sensory processing, and social behavior, abnormalities in the ________ are common.

Psychologists have described the human nervous system as the communication and control center for the body. The nervous system allows us to take in information from the environment, communicate the information to different parts of the body, and coordinate the body's response. The nervous system itself is made up of neurons, or nerve cells, that communicate with each other by receiving and transmitting electrochemical signals, called neurotransmission. All human behavior is made possible by the activity of individual neurons working together in the nervous system. Think about a simple action you do every day, like answering your phone. When you perform this routine act, what are the individual neurons in your nervous system doing to make it possible? In a multi-paragraph essay, explain how the activity of individual neurons enables you to perform a simple action like answering your phone. Be sure to describe the main parts of a neuron, explain the unique function of each part, and describe how neurons use electrochemical signals for neurotransmission. Include details from class materials, readings, and research on the nervous system to support your discussion.

When a specialized function of the cerebral cortex occurs on either the right or the left hemisphere, this is referred to as ____.

Dr. Stevens, a drug addiction researcher, hopes to find a drug that will stop heroin addiction. Which area of the brain is most likely a focus of Dr. Stevens' research?

The endocrine system is comprised of a number of glands that release chemical messengers known as ____ into the ____.

Remarkably, Phineas Gage survived a horrific traumatic brain injury in 1848, but was not the same person as before his accident. Although outwardly normal in his intelligence, speech, and movement, Gage became prone to angry outbursts and unreliability. In which area of his brain did Phineas Gage experience trauma?

The ____ is the part of the peripheral nervous system that brings sensory information to the central nervous system and transmits commands to the muscles.

Rodney, who has ____, takes medication to help offset the depletion of ____ in his brain. However, although the medication is helping his condition, his wife knows that she has to watch out for side effects related to Rodney over-engaging in pleasurable activities.

The ____ is a subcortical structure located in the ____ lobe and believed to participate in emotional processing.

The relationship between neurons and glia is similar to the relationship between ____.

Lower than normal levels of hormones released from the ____, which raises or lowers metabolism, can mimic the symptoms of ____.

What system transmits commands for voluntary movement from the central nervous system to the muscles and brings sensory input back to the CNS for further processing?

The parietal lobe in the cerebral cortex lies at the top of the head between the frontal and occipital lobes and is the location of the ____.

Following a spinal cord injury, formation of the ____ prevents neuronal regeneration in the ____.

Maxwell is a participant in a research study aimed at understanding how the brain responds to prolonged periods of isolation. After spending several hours in a room alone, Maxwell undergoes a(n)____ procedure; a method that measures the brain's electrical activity using electrodes placed on the scalp.

The ____ is the part of the peripheral nervous system that directs the activity of glands, organs, and smooth muscles.

Dr. Arnold is a biological psychologist interested in understanding how climate influences male aggression. Which hypothesis most closely reflects a biological psychological perspective?