Unit 1 Part 2 Quiz

random

100

The senses and their purposes

The five main senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—allow us to perceive and interact with the world, providing information about light, sound, chemicals, and physical stimuli. Their purposes are to help us navigate our environment, identify dangers, enjoy food, and understand our bodies.

200

The 5 senses and how they are perceived and processed in the brain

The five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—are perceived when sensory receptors convert external stimuli into electrical signals, a process called transduction

300

The order and direction of a neural impulse within a cell

• Dendrites: The impulse begins when dendrites receive a signal from other neurons or sensory receptors.
• Cell Body (Soma): The signal travels from the dendrites to the cell body, which integrates the signal. If the signal reaches a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered.
• Axon: The action potential travels down the length of the axon, which is a long projection from the cell body.
• Axon Terminal: The impulse reaches the axon terminal, where it triggers the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters then carry the signal to the next cell. 

400

trichromatic theory and which colors go together

The trichromatic theory states that humans perceive color using three different types of cone cells in the retina, which are sensitive to red, green, and blue wavelengths of light

500

matching the cortical areas of the brain with the function they serve

The brain's cortical areas serve different functions: the frontal lobe handles thinking, planning, and voluntary movement; the parietal lobe processes sensory information like touch and spatial awareness; the occipital lobe is responsible for vision; and the temporal lobe manages hearing, memory, and language comprehension.

Brain structures

100

Brain structures and their function; Amygdala 

Amygdala

The amygdala is an almond-shaped mass of gray matter located deep within the temporal lobe, and it is a key component of the brain's limbic system. 

• Emotions: It is a primary processing center for emotions, especially those involving anxiety, fear, and aggression. It can trigger the "fight-or-flight" response to perceived threats.
• Memory: The amygdala attaches emotional significance to memories. This is why powerful, emotional events often create strong, vivid memories.
• Social function: It is also involved in social cognition, helping interpret others' intentions and facial expressions. 

200

Brain structures and their functions; Hippocampus

Hippocampus

A curved, seahorse-shaped organ located deep in the temporal lobe, the hippocampus is another vital part of the limbic system. 

• Memory formation: It is essential for forming and organizing new, long-term declarative memories (facts and events), though the memories are not stored there permanently.
• Spatial memory: It is also critical for spatial navigation, helping you build and retrieve mental maps of your surroundings.
• Learning and emotions: Working closely with the amygdala, the hippocampus connects memories with emotions and is important for learning. 

300

Brain structures and their functions; Hypothalamus 

Hypothalamus

This small but crucial structure, located above the pituitary gland, acts as the brain's "smart control" coordinating center. 

• Homeostasis: Its primary function is to maintain the body's internal balance (homeostasis) by regulating processes like body temperature, thirst, hunger, sleep, and blood pressure.
• Hormones: It is the main link between the nervous and endocrine systems. It produces and releases hormones that control the pituitary gland, which in turn influences other glands, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands.
• Autonomic nervous system: The hypothalamus influences involuntary actions such as heart rate and breathing by controlling the autonomic nervous system. 

400

Brain structures and their functions; cerebellum

Cerebellum

Latin for "little brain," the cerebellum is a fist-sized structure located at the back of the head, beneath the cerebral hemispheres. 

• Motor control: Its main job is to coordinate voluntary movements, posture, balance, and equilibrium. It compares intended movements with actual movements and adjusts for errors.
• Motor learning: It is involved in procedural learning, such as learning to ride a bike or play an instrument, and fine-tuning complex motor tasks.
• Non-motor functions: Recent studies also suggest a role in cognitive functions, emotional responses, and social behavior. 

random

100

The chain of command between sensory, inter and motor neurons

1. Sensory neuron (afferent neuron), 2. Interneuron (relay neuron), 3. Motor neuron (efferent neuron)

200

Frequency and place theories

Place theory and frequency theory are complementary models that explain how the brain perceives sound pitch.

300

The endocrine system and its functions and glands

The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and secrete hormones to regulate the body's functions, including growth, metabolism, mood, and reproduction

400

Communication between neurons

synaptic transmission

definitions

100

Weber's law

Weber's Law states that the smallest noticeable change in a stimulus is a constant proportion of the original stimulus

200

Absolute Threshold

The absolute threshold is the minimum level of sensory stimulation that is required to be detected by an organism at least 50% of the time

300

Sensory adaptation

Sensory adaptation is the process where your senses become less sensitive to a constant or unchanging stimulus over time, allowing your brain to focus on new, more important information

400

Gate Control Theory

explains how non-painful input can close the neural "gates" in the spinal cord to block pain signals from reaching the brain

500

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life in response to learning, experience, or injury

Nervous systems

100

Different nervous systems and their actions/when they are activated; Central

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The CNS is the body's processing center and contains the brain and spinal cord. It receives sensory information, processes it, and generates a motor response. The CNS is constantly active and is responsible for both voluntary and involuntary actions. 

• Action: Receives and processes sensory input, and creates a motor output.
• Activation: Sensory nerves bring information to the CNS, which then sends electrical signals through the spinal cord to the rest of the body.
• When Activated: The CNS is continuously active, managing functions like breathing and heartbeat, while also being activated by conscious thoughts or actions like walking and talking. 

200

Different nervous systems and their actions/when they are activated; Peripheral

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The PNS includes all the nerves and ganglia outside of the CNS, serving as the communication link between the CNS and the rest of the body. 

• Action: Transmits sensory information to the CNS and carries motor commands from the CNS to the body.
• Activation: Activated by both voluntary and involuntary commands from the CNS, or by sensory receptors detecting stimuli from the environment.
• When Activated: Continuously active to relay sensory data and motor commands, allowing the body to react to its environment. 

300

Different nervous systems and their actions/when they are activated; Somatic 

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

The somatic nervous system is the voluntary part of the PNS. It controls all conscious movements and relays sensory information from the body's senses to the brain. 

• Action: Controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles and transmits sensory information.
• Activation: Initiated by the brain's motor cortex, or through automatic spinal reflex arcs that link sensory input to a motor response.
• When Activated: When you decide to move a part of your body, or in the case of a protective reflex, such as pulling your hand away from a hot surface. 

400

Different nervous systems and their actions/when they are activated; Automatic 

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The ANS is the involuntary part of the PNS that regulates automatic bodily functions like heartbeat, digestion, and breathing. It is constantly active to maintain homeostasis. 

• Action: Controls internal organs and glands without conscious thought.
• Activation: Reflexes triggered by sensory input from internal organs. It is regulated by the brainstem and hypothalamus.
• When Activated: Constantly running in the background to regulate vital functions. 

500

Different nervous systems and their actions/when they are activated; sympathetic, parasympathetic 

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

The sympathetic nervous system is the "fight-or-flight" division of the ANS. It prepares the body for stress, danger, or intense physical activity. 

• Action: Increases heart rate, dilates airways, sends blood to muscles, and inhibits digestion.
• Activation: Triggered by stress or a perceived threat.
• When Activated: During emergencies, stressful situations, or strenuous exercise. 

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

The parasympathetic nervous system is the "rest-and-digest" division of the ANS. It calms the body down after a period of stress and conserves energy. 

• Action: Lowers heart rate, promotes digestion, and helps the body relax.
• Activation: Occurs when the body is at rest and a threat has passed, allowing it to return to normal function.
• When Activated: During periods of relaxation, sleep, or after eating.