Biological Psychology and Neuroscience Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Biological Psychology and Neuroscience flashcards as text
The parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for:
Answer: Rest-and-digest functions that conserve energy
The parasympathetic division promotes rest-and-digest functions, slowing heart rate, stimulating digestion, and conserving energy when the body is not under threat.
Which brain structure serves as the primary relay station for sensory information (except olfaction) on its way to the cerebral cortex?
Answer: Thalamus
The thalamus routes sensory signals—visual, auditory, somatosensory, and gustatory—to the appropriate cortical areas, earning it the label of the brain's relay station.
Broca's area, located in the left inferior frontal gyrus, is primarily associated with:
Answer: Production and articulation of speech
Broca's area is critical for speech production; damage results in Broca's (expressive) aphasia, characterized by halting, effortful speech with relatively preserved comprehension.
The cerebellum is primarily responsible for:
Answer: Coordinating voluntary movement, balance, and fine motor control
The cerebellum integrates sensory feedback with motor commands to coordinate smooth, precise voluntary movements and maintain balance.
Dopamine pathways in the brain are most strongly implicated in:
Answer: Reward processing and motivation
The mesolimbic and mesocortical dopamine pathways are central to reward, motivation, and reinforcement learning, and their dysregulation is implicated in addiction and schizophrenia.
Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
Answer: GABA
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, reducing neuronal excitability throughout the brain and spinal cord.
The hypothalamus plays a critical role in:
Answer: Regulating homeostasis and controlling the pituitary gland
The hypothalamus regulates homeostatic functions (temperature, hunger, thirst, circadian rhythms) and controls the pituitary gland, making it the key link between the nervous system and endocrine system.