The Scientific Method
The Neuron
The Brain
The Brain 2
Learning
100
What are debriefing and informed consent, and when in the experimental process do they come?
Informed Consent - comes before data collection, gain permission and fully explain the study Debriefing - comes after data collection, go over what was done, allow for any questions
100
What are the resting, threshold, and peak potentials of a neuron? What is the peak potential of an action potential caused by a stimulus half as strong?
Resting: -70 mV Threshold: -55mV Peak: +40mV Peak = ALWAYS +40mV (All-or-none law!)
100
What are the 2 divisions of the Nervous System and what makes up each?
Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): autonomic and somatic divisions
100
Where are the primary motor and somatosensory projection areas located, and what happens when they are stimulated?
Primary Motor Projection area: Strip across the back of the frontal lobe. When different parts are stimulated, different body parts move. Sensory Motor Projection area: Strip across the front of the parietal lobe. When different parts are stimulated, different body parts feel a tingling sensation.
100
Who are 2 primary figures in Learning theory?
Pavlov and Skinner
200
What is a confound? A placebo?
A variable that isn't controlled for, that is affecting the relationship between the control and experimental group. A placebo is a sugar pill that is given to a participant so they don't know whether they are taking the medication or not.
200
What are the myelin sheath and the Nodes of Ranvier and what are their purposes?
Myelin sheath: white, fatty tissue that insulates the axon. Prevents the transmission of electrical signals. Nodes of Ranvier: unmyelinated parts of the axon. Speed of the transmission of electrical impulses.
200
What are the thalamus and hypothalamus? What are these structures referred to and what part of the brain are they in?
Thalamus - sensory relay station Hypothalamus - satiation, body temperature Subcortical structures, located in the forebrain.
200
Where are Broca's and Wernicke's area located? What are they responsible for?
Both Broca's and Wernicke's area are located in the left hemisphere. Broca's: Responsible for language production (ie. speech) Wernicke's: Responsible for language comprehension (ie. understanding)
200
What is habituation? Dehabituation? Give an example.
Habituation: The decline in an organism's response to a stimulus once the stimulus has become familiar Dehabituation: An increase in responsiveness caused by the presentation of something novel Ex. Fireworks
300
What are the steps of the scientific method?
Formulate a testable hypothesis Experimental Design (Define Subjects/Methods) Collect Data Analyze Data Interpret Data
300
Name the 3 times of neurons, what they do, and if they are afferent/efferent (if applicable).
Sensory: Afferent. sensory signals ARRIVE at the brain from senses Motor: Efferent. Motor signals EXIT the brain to parts of the body Interneurons: communication among neurons
300
Name the 4 lobes and their main functions. In what general area of the brain are they located?
Parietal: Orientation and Space (Top/back) Temporal: Auditory (By ears) Frontal: complex planning/thoughts (Front) Occipital: Vision (Back of your head)
300
The brain is composed of how many hemispheres? Are they identical?
2 hemispheres (right and left) They are mostly identical, though there is some asymmetry of function (referred to as "lateralization")
300
How do "associations" play a role in learning?
Association= when your brain forms a connection between two stimuli that are presented close in time or close in space. Learning can be understood as the formation or strengthening of associations, or the weakening of already existing associations.
400
What is the relationship between a control group and an experimental group?
The control group is matched with the experimental group in every way, except for the independent variable.
400
What is an EPSP and what is an IPSP? An excitatory neurotransmitter increases/decreases (pick one) the voltage of the postsynaptic neuron.
EPSP: increases the chances of the postsynaptic neuron firing IPSP: decreases " Excitatory: increases voltage (-70mV to -55mV)
400
What are the 3 parts of the hindbrain and what are they responsible for?
Medulla - vital functions (heartbeat, respiration) Pons - sleep, dreaming Cerebellum - little brain
400
Define 3 categories of brain disorders: aphasia, agnosia, and apraxia.
Aphasia: A disorder of language. Ex. interference in speech or understanding. Agnosia: A disorder of perception & attention. Ex: Neglect syndrome Apraxia: A disorder of action. Ex. Can't complete a task
400
Describe Pavlov's famous experiment. Which element was the: Unconditioned Stimulus (US), Unconditioned Response (UR), Conditioned Stimulus (CS) Conditioned Response (CR)?
Pavlov knew that dogs salivate when they expect food. He rang a bell each time they fed in order to "teach" them to salivate when they heard a bell. US: Presentation of food UR: Salivation CS: Bell CR: Salivation
500
When is the scientific method used? Should you find results that confirm a hypothesis, is that hypothesis now accepted as fact?
The scientific method is used whenever an experiment is carried out to test a hypothesis. If the hypothesis is confirmed, it is not automatically accepted as fact. Results should be talked over, and the experimented should be repeated for validity.
500
During the action potential, why does sodium enter the neuron? Why does potassium leave?
Sodium enters the neuron because: 1. High -> low concentration 2. Na+ channels open 3. Opposites attract. Inside of cell is negative (polarized), so positive Na+ ions are attracted to it K+ leaves because: 1. High-> low concentration 2. K+ channels open 3. Likes repel. Positive Na+ ions rushing in push positive K+ ions out
500
What are the basal ganglia and limbic system? Where are they located?
Basal ganglia: movement Limbic system: emotional and motivational activities They are subcortical structures located in the forebrain.
500
What is the largest structure in the brain? Describe its structure.
The cortex. It is a sheet of tissue several millimeters thick that covers the brain. It is scrunched up in convolutions and fissures so that it fits into the skull.
500
What is a phobia? How does it relate to learning?
A phobia is an irrational fear. There is a theory that phobias formed because someone experienced a past incident that caused them to associate the object with a negative event.
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