PSY 100 - Exam 2 Questions And Correct Answers
Nerve cells (neurons)
The basic units of the nervous system that specialize in creating, receiving, &
transmitting information in the nervous system.
What language do neurons use to communicate?
Electrochemical signals
Primary functions of neurons?
Reception-through dendrites
Integration-through cell body
Transmission-through axon
What are dendrites and their function?
Branch-like extensions of the neuron that detect information from other
neurons-reception
What is the soma (cell body) and its function?
Where in the neuron the information from thousands of other neurons are collected &
integrated (integration)
What is the axon and what is its function?
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,Long narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which information is transmitted to other
neurons; transmission
Where does it finally arrive?
Terminal button & synapse
What is the terminal button and what is its function?
The endings of the axon that releases chemical signals into the synapse.
What is the synapse and what is its function?
The space between the axon of a "sending" neuron & the "receiving" neuron & the place
where chemical communication takes place.
S
Name & explain what it is called when the neuron is resting.
Resting membrane potential
S
Name & explain what it is called when the neuron fires - sends the communication along
the axon.
Action potential
S
What is the "all-or-nothing" principle?
- When the neuron fires - it does so with equal intensity every time.
- There are only two possible signals that can relay: Fire or No fire
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, (This is like a toilet water level. When the water level reaches the full level, it triggers an
"all-or-nothing" type of flush with maximum force. It just does or doesn't flush it.)
What are neurotransmitters?
The chemical substances responsible for transmitting signals from one neuron to
another.
According to the Three-Parted Brain (a.k.a., the Triune Brain) theory, the parts of the
brain can be divided into?
Three parts: reptilian brain(lower regions), limbic system (mid-region), neocortex(upper
region).
What does the reptilian brain regulate?
Basic bodily function for survival & reproduction
Two areas of reptilian brain covered in class
Brain stem & cerebellum
What is the role of the brain stem?
It controls automatic or involuntary bodily functions.
Responsible for respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, movement, sleeping
& wakefulness, processing of senses, etc.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Responsibility for smooth movement & balance.
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Nerve cells (neurons)
The basic units of the nervous system that specialize in creating, receiving, &
transmitting information in the nervous system.
What language do neurons use to communicate?
Electrochemical signals
Primary functions of neurons?
Reception-through dendrites
Integration-through cell body
Transmission-through axon
What are dendrites and their function?
Branch-like extensions of the neuron that detect information from other
neurons-reception
What is the soma (cell body) and its function?
Where in the neuron the information from thousands of other neurons are collected &
integrated (integration)
What is the axon and what is its function?
Page 1 of 19
,Long narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which information is transmitted to other
neurons; transmission
Where does it finally arrive?
Terminal button & synapse
What is the terminal button and what is its function?
The endings of the axon that releases chemical signals into the synapse.
What is the synapse and what is its function?
The space between the axon of a "sending" neuron & the "receiving" neuron & the place
where chemical communication takes place.
S
Name & explain what it is called when the neuron is resting.
Resting membrane potential
S
Name & explain what it is called when the neuron fires - sends the communication along
the axon.
Action potential
S
What is the "all-or-nothing" principle?
- When the neuron fires - it does so with equal intensity every time.
- There are only two possible signals that can relay: Fire or No fire
Page 2 of 19
, (This is like a toilet water level. When the water level reaches the full level, it triggers an
"all-or-nothing" type of flush with maximum force. It just does or doesn't flush it.)
What are neurotransmitters?
The chemical substances responsible for transmitting signals from one neuron to
another.
According to the Three-Parted Brain (a.k.a., the Triune Brain) theory, the parts of the
brain can be divided into?
Three parts: reptilian brain(lower regions), limbic system (mid-region), neocortex(upper
region).
What does the reptilian brain regulate?
Basic bodily function for survival & reproduction
Two areas of reptilian brain covered in class
Brain stem & cerebellum
What is the role of the brain stem?
It controls automatic or involuntary bodily functions.
Responsible for respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, movement, sleeping
& wakefulness, processing of senses, etc.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Responsibility for smooth movement & balance.
Page 3 of 19
