PSY 121 Exam 2 Questions and Answers Latest Update 2025 Already Passed
Nervous System - Answers A network of cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body.
Neuroscience - Answers Branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and functioning of the
brain and the neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue that form the nervous system.
Neuron - Answers The specialized cell in the nervous system that receives and sends messages within
that system.
Dendrites - Answers The part of the neuron that receives messages from other cells.
Soma (Cell Body) - Answers The part of the cell that contains the nucleus and keeps the entire cell alive
and functioning.
Axon - Answers A fiber attached to the soma and its job is to carry messages out to other cells.
Axon Terminals - Answers Responsible for communicating with other nerves because the message
travels through this.
Glial Cells - Answers supportive cells of nervous system that guide growth of new neurons; forms myelin
sheath; holds neuron in place; provides nourishment and removes waste
Oligodendrocytes - Answers Produce myelin in the central nervous system.
Schwann Cells - Answers Produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system.
Myelin - Answers Fatty
Nerves - Answers Bundles of axons in the peripheral nervous system.
Resting Potential - Answers The electrical potential when the cell is at rest; made possible by balance
between ions in and outside of the cell.
Action Potential - Answers Results from the change in electrical charge. Cell fires; inside becomes
positive relative to the outside of the cell.
All-or-None - Answers When a neuron does fire, it does so in an _____ fashion.
Neurotransmitters - Answers Inside the neuron's synaptic vesicle, function is transmit a message by
going to the synapse.
Synapse - Answers Fluid filled space between the synaptic knob and the dendrite of another neuron.
Dendrites; Axons - Answers _____ receive messages from other neurons, and ____ send messages to
other neurons.
, Serotonin - Answers Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and appetite. Contributes to depression
and anxiety.
Dopamine - Answers Neurotransmitter involved in the control of movement and sensations of pleasure.
Increase can lead to schixophrenia and adhd.
Acetylcholine - Answers Neurotransmitter involved in arousal, attention, memory, and controls
voluntary muscle contractions.
Endorphins - Answers Neurotransmitter involved in pain relief.
Antagonist (Inhibitory) - Answers A chemical substance that blocks or reduces the effects of a
neurotransmitter.
Agonist (Excitatory) - Answers A chemical substance that mimics or enhances the effects of a
neurotransmitter.
Central Nervous System - Answers Composed of the Brain and the Spinal Cord
Brain - Answers The core of the nervous system. Part that makes sense of information received from the
senses, makes, decisions, and sends commands out to the muscles and the rest of the body.
Spinal Cord - Answers A long bundle of neurons that serves two vital functions for the nervous system;
reflexes and messages.
Reflex Arc - Answers Controlled by the spinal cord alone, allows for very fast response time.
Afferent (Sensory) Neurons - Answers Carry messages from the senses to the spinal cord.
Efferent (Motor) Neurons - Answers Carry messages from the spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Interneurons - Answers Connect the afferent neurons to the motor neurons.
Neuroplasticity - Answers The ability to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells
in the brain in response to experience and even trauma.
Stem Cells - Answers Special cells found in tissues of the body that are capable of manufacturing other
cell types when those cells need to be replaced due to damage or wear and tear.
Peripheral Nervous System - Answers Made up of all the nerves and neurons that are not contained in
the brain and spinal cord.
Somatic Nervous System - Answers Consists of the nerves that control the voluntary muscles of the
body.
Autonomic Nervous System - Answers Consists of nerves that control the involuntary muscles, organs,
and glands.
Nervous System - Answers A network of cells that carries information to and from all parts of the body.
Neuroscience - Answers Branch of the life sciences that deals with the structure and functioning of the
brain and the neurons, nerves, and nervous tissue that form the nervous system.
Neuron - Answers The specialized cell in the nervous system that receives and sends messages within
that system.
Dendrites - Answers The part of the neuron that receives messages from other cells.
Soma (Cell Body) - Answers The part of the cell that contains the nucleus and keeps the entire cell alive
and functioning.
Axon - Answers A fiber attached to the soma and its job is to carry messages out to other cells.
Axon Terminals - Answers Responsible for communicating with other nerves because the message
travels through this.
Glial Cells - Answers supportive cells of nervous system that guide growth of new neurons; forms myelin
sheath; holds neuron in place; provides nourishment and removes waste
Oligodendrocytes - Answers Produce myelin in the central nervous system.
Schwann Cells - Answers Produce myelin in the peripheral nervous system.
Myelin - Answers Fatty
Nerves - Answers Bundles of axons in the peripheral nervous system.
Resting Potential - Answers The electrical potential when the cell is at rest; made possible by balance
between ions in and outside of the cell.
Action Potential - Answers Results from the change in electrical charge. Cell fires; inside becomes
positive relative to the outside of the cell.
All-or-None - Answers When a neuron does fire, it does so in an _____ fashion.
Neurotransmitters - Answers Inside the neuron's synaptic vesicle, function is transmit a message by
going to the synapse.
Synapse - Answers Fluid filled space between the synaptic knob and the dendrite of another neuron.
Dendrites; Axons - Answers _____ receive messages from other neurons, and ____ send messages to
other neurons.
, Serotonin - Answers Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and appetite. Contributes to depression
and anxiety.
Dopamine - Answers Neurotransmitter involved in the control of movement and sensations of pleasure.
Increase can lead to schixophrenia and adhd.
Acetylcholine - Answers Neurotransmitter involved in arousal, attention, memory, and controls
voluntary muscle contractions.
Endorphins - Answers Neurotransmitter involved in pain relief.
Antagonist (Inhibitory) - Answers A chemical substance that blocks or reduces the effects of a
neurotransmitter.
Agonist (Excitatory) - Answers A chemical substance that mimics or enhances the effects of a
neurotransmitter.
Central Nervous System - Answers Composed of the Brain and the Spinal Cord
Brain - Answers The core of the nervous system. Part that makes sense of information received from the
senses, makes, decisions, and sends commands out to the muscles and the rest of the body.
Spinal Cord - Answers A long bundle of neurons that serves two vital functions for the nervous system;
reflexes and messages.
Reflex Arc - Answers Controlled by the spinal cord alone, allows for very fast response time.
Afferent (Sensory) Neurons - Answers Carry messages from the senses to the spinal cord.
Efferent (Motor) Neurons - Answers Carry messages from the spinal cord to the muscles and glands
Interneurons - Answers Connect the afferent neurons to the motor neurons.
Neuroplasticity - Answers The ability to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells
in the brain in response to experience and even trauma.
Stem Cells - Answers Special cells found in tissues of the body that are capable of manufacturing other
cell types when those cells need to be replaced due to damage or wear and tear.
Peripheral Nervous System - Answers Made up of all the nerves and neurons that are not contained in
the brain and spinal cord.
Somatic Nervous System - Answers Consists of the nerves that control the voluntary muscles of the
body.
Autonomic Nervous System - Answers Consists of nerves that control the involuntary muscles, organs,
and glands.
