Exam 3: A--Biological Psychology

Damage to the prefrontal cortex is likely to produce poor performance on a delayed-response task, which indicates a difficulty in remembering what has just happened.

The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique can indicate which brain areas are the most active while the person performs some mental activity.

During the resting potential, an axon's interior has a ____________________ charge relative to the outside of the cell.

The action potential remains equally strong along the entire length of the axon, no matter how long the axon is.

Stimulants, depressants and narcotics are types of drugs that have varied effects on an individual. Briefly describe the effects associated with each class of drugs and give a specific example of a drug in each class (e.g. opiates).

The ____________________ is the set of fibers that connect the left hemisphere of the brain to the right hemisphere.

____________________ is caused by a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.

Brain researchers now believe that humans grow new neurons just as routinely as new skin cells or blood cells.

Brain volume tends to get smaller in old age.

In a typical neuron, during the resting potential the inside of the axon has an electrical charge of around ____________________.

The outer covering of the forebrain is known as the cerebral cortex.

Glia support the neurons in many ways such as by insulating them, synchronizing activity among neighboring neurons, and removing waste products.

Janet suffers from severe epileptic seizures that are untreatable with medicine. Her doctor decides to perform a callostomy (severing of the corpus callosum). Following surgery, her neuropsychologist conducts some tests to assess the effects of the surgery. During a divided visual field study, Janet is flashed words to both of her visual fields and asked to read the words. When some of the images are flashed, Janet experiences difficulty stating the word that was flashed. Explain which visual field presentation likely causes Janet the most difficulty when asked to state the word that was flashed and why.

The peripheral nervous system is made up of the ____________________ nervous system, which controls muscles, and the ____________________ nervous system, which controls the organs.

Hormones and neurotransmitters are similar in that each is carried through the body by our blood.

Nicotine is classified as a ____________________.

Stimulants are drugs that increase energy, alertness, and activity.

An action potential takes place by the movement of ____________________ ions across the membrane.

At the synaptic level, the effects of alcohol are most similar to those of ____________________.

Narcotics are drugs that produce drowsiness, insensitivity to pain, and decreased responsiveness.