Exam 2: Neuroscience and Behavior

The venom of the black widow spider bite causes _____ to be released continuously by motor neurons, causing severe muscle spasms.

Parkinson's disease often involves the degeneration of neurons that produce _____, which are located in a brain area called the _____.

Glial cells provide structural support and nutrition for neurons and remove waste products.

According to the Critical Thinking box "'His' and 'Her' Brains?," men's brains tend to be larger than women's brains and are more asymmetrical, with functions being more lateralized.

Compared to neurons that do not have myelin, neurons with myelin:

German neuroscientists used expert professional jugglers as participants in a study to determine whether the jugglers' superior manual dexterity and sense of balance were the cause or the result of structural brain differences.

In synaptic transmission, the action potential stimulates the release of:

Which of the following neurotransmitters is implicated in Alzheimer's disease?

What are the key structures of the midbrain, and what roles do they play?

Professor Romero discovered a short in the wiring system of the overhead projector in her classroom. When she touched the metal edge of the projector, she got an electric shock and instantly jerked her hand back. This instantaneous reaction is an example of:

Nicotine binds to acetylcholine receptor sites, stimulating skeletal muscles and causing the heart to beat more rapidly. Thus, nicotine is an agonist.

A key function of the hypothalamus is to process and distribute sensory and motor information going to and from the cerebral cortex.

This image depicts the left hemisphere of the cerebral cortex. Of the choices provided, which correctly labels the structures in the drawing?

What is a spinal reflex, and why is it important?

Neurotransmitters:

Jock has suffered many head injuries during his long professional ice hockey career. As a result, he may now be suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). A CAT scan or MRI would clearly reveal any brain damage associated with multiple concussions and an accurate diagnosis of CTE could be made.

The branch of science concerned with the study of the nervous system, especially in the brain, is called:

Describe the sequence of events that occurs when a neuron "fires," or activates.

How is each part of the body represented on the somatosensory cortex?

The movement of ions across the axon membrane produces an action potential.