PSYC 375 EXAM 6 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS!!
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Can develop after a traumatic, often life threatening event. Although the event does not have to
be experienced by that person.
How do response to PTSD differ?
Some people "get over" the trauma, whereas others never recover, resulting in PTSD. This could
be because people with PTSD do not shut down the production of CORT (cortisol) as quickly,
resulting in a lengthened stress response.
How does hippocampus size relate to PTSD?
Having smaller hippocampus potentially predisposes you to PTSD, but also exposure to chronic
stress or traumatic events can cause your hippocampus to be smaller.
Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to adapt and change throughout life, particularly in response to experience and
learning. "cells that wire together, fire together"
What did Eric Kandel do?
Tried to understand changes in the nervous system, when there is a change in behaviour, studied
Aplysia.
Habituation
Learned behaviour in which the response to a stimulus weakens with repeated presentations.
What happens in the brain resulting in habituation?
As a response of repeated stimulation, the influx of calcium ions in response to an action
potential decreases, resulting in less neurotransmitter released at the presynaptic membrane, and
less depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane.
Sensitization
, Learned behaviour through which the response to a stimulus strengthens with repeated
presentations.
What happens in the brain resulting in sensitization?
Serotonin reduces K+ efflux through potassium channels, prolonging an action potential. The
prolonged action potential results in more calcium influx and increased transmitter release,
causing greater depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane after sensitization.
MPPP
Synthetic heroin, mimics the effects of a peptide neurotransmitter in the brain, if prepared
incorrectly, created MPTP.
MPTP
Nontoxic, highly lipophilic, easily transferable into the brain, easily passes the blood-brain
barrier, metabolizes in the brain to become MPP+.
MPP+
Toxic to dopaminergic neurons, which impacts the substantia nigra resulting in Parkinson's
Disease.
Psychopharmacology
Study of how drugs effect the nervous system and behaviour.
Psychoactive Drug
Substance that acts to alter mood, thought, or behaviour; used to manage neuropsychological
illness; and is often taken recreationally.
Oral Administration
Relatively safe, easy, and convenient. However, there are more barriers that the drug must pass,
and it is slow-acting.
Inhalation
CORRECT ANSWERS!!
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Can develop after a traumatic, often life threatening event. Although the event does not have to
be experienced by that person.
How do response to PTSD differ?
Some people "get over" the trauma, whereas others never recover, resulting in PTSD. This could
be because people with PTSD do not shut down the production of CORT (cortisol) as quickly,
resulting in a lengthened stress response.
How does hippocampus size relate to PTSD?
Having smaller hippocampus potentially predisposes you to PTSD, but also exposure to chronic
stress or traumatic events can cause your hippocampus to be smaller.
Neuroplasticity
The brain's ability to adapt and change throughout life, particularly in response to experience and
learning. "cells that wire together, fire together"
What did Eric Kandel do?
Tried to understand changes in the nervous system, when there is a change in behaviour, studied
Aplysia.
Habituation
Learned behaviour in which the response to a stimulus weakens with repeated presentations.
What happens in the brain resulting in habituation?
As a response of repeated stimulation, the influx of calcium ions in response to an action
potential decreases, resulting in less neurotransmitter released at the presynaptic membrane, and
less depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane.
Sensitization
, Learned behaviour through which the response to a stimulus strengthens with repeated
presentations.
What happens in the brain resulting in sensitization?
Serotonin reduces K+ efflux through potassium channels, prolonging an action potential. The
prolonged action potential results in more calcium influx and increased transmitter release,
causing greater depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane after sensitization.
MPPP
Synthetic heroin, mimics the effects of a peptide neurotransmitter in the brain, if prepared
incorrectly, created MPTP.
MPTP
Nontoxic, highly lipophilic, easily transferable into the brain, easily passes the blood-brain
barrier, metabolizes in the brain to become MPP+.
MPP+
Toxic to dopaminergic neurons, which impacts the substantia nigra resulting in Parkinson's
Disease.
Psychopharmacology
Study of how drugs effect the nervous system and behaviour.
Psychoactive Drug
Substance that acts to alter mood, thought, or behaviour; used to manage neuropsychological
illness; and is often taken recreationally.
Oral Administration
Relatively safe, easy, and convenient. However, there are more barriers that the drug must pass,
and it is slow-acting.
Inhalation
