Heredity + Environment
What is the term for the debate over whether genetics or experience shapes behavior?
Nature vs. Nurture
Which nervous system division controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement?
Somatic Nervous System.
Which brain structure is essential for balance, coordination, and fine-tuning movement?
Cerebellum
Identify the drug category for each example: caffeine, heroin, alcohol, and LSD.
Caffeine — Stimulant
Heroin — Opioid
Alcohol — Depressant
LSD — Hallucinogen
Which hormone released by the pineal gland helps regulate the sleep–wake cycle in response to darkness?
Melatonin
What does the term genetic predisposition refer to?
The increased likelihood of developing a trait or disorder due to inherited genes.
A person detects danger, experiences an increased heart rate, then calms down after the threat passes. Name the TWO autonomic divisions involved, in order.
Sympathetic nervous system, followed by the parasympathetic nervous system.
Damage to which language area typically disrupts speech production, while damage to the other disrupts language comprehension. Name BOTH and identify which part does which.
Broca's: Speech Production
Wernicke's: Language Comprehension
Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood regulation, and which natural chemicals help reduce pain and produce pleasure? NAME BOTH.
Hormone: Endorphins
A person repeatedly stops breathing briefly during sleep, while another person suddenly falls asleep during the day without warning. Identify BOTH likely sleep disorders.
Stops breathing: Sleep Apnea
Falls Asleep: Narcolepsy
What is the principle that traits contributing to survival are more likely to be passed on to future generations?
Natural Selection
A painful stimulus causes a hand to withdraw before the brain consciously processes the pain. Describe the pathway involved. (Identify and give the steps)
Reflex arc: sensory neuron → spinal cord (often involving an interneuron) → motor neuron → muscle.
After a brain injury, a patient gradually regains a lost skill as other neural pathways reorganize. Name this process and explain how it supports recovery.
Neuroplasticity. The brain can reorganize neural connections and functions in response to experience, learning, or injury.
Which neurotransmitter is involved in muscle action and memory and is reduced in many people with Alzheimer's disease?
Acetylcholine.
What theory of sleep says that sleep helps the body repair and restore itself?
Restoration Theory
What type of research compares individuals who share 100% of their genes with those who share about 50% to determine the relative impact of heredity and environment?
Twin Studies.
During an action potential, sodium ions enter the neuron. Immediately afterward, the neuron briefly cannot fire another action potential. Name this period and explain its purpose.
Refractory Period: It allows the neuron to reset and helps ensure that the action potential travels in one direction.
Severe damage to which brain structure involved in arousal can lead to coma?
Reticular Formation.
A patient takes an SSRI. Explain how it changes serotonin signaling at the synapse.
It inhibits serotonin reuptake, leaving serotonin available in the synaptic gap for longer.
Why is REM sleep called "paradoxical sleep"? Name one characteristic of this stage.
The brain is highly active while most skeletal muscles are temporarily inhibited (atonia). Vivid dreaming is also common.
Identical twins show greater similarity in intelligence than fraternal twins, even when raised apart. What does this suggest about the trait?
Genetic factors largely contribute to intelligence.
Dendrites receive signals, the axon carries action potentials, myelin speeds transmission, and terminal buttons release neurotransmitters.
If a patient suffers a stroke and lost the ability to control or feel their left arm, what was most likely damaged?
Right Parietal Lobe
Identify each drug action: a drug mimics a neurotransmitter, blocks its receptor, or prevents its reabsorption.
Mimics: Agonist
Blocks: Antagonist
Prevents reabsorption: Reuptake Inhibitor
According to the activation-synthesis theory, how does the brain create dreams?
The cortex attempts to create a story or meaning from internally generated random neural activity during sleep.