7/31/2019 Bio Psych Exam #1 Short Answers

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1) Describe the concept of localization of function in your own words. Include in your answer whythe name Broca comes up as a historical figure related to this concept.

Localization of function refers to the idea that certain parts of the nervous system are responsible for certainfunctions. The name Broca comes up as a historical figure related to localization of function because heidentified that the frontal lobe on the left hemisphere of the brain contributed to speech production.

2) Which method would be best to find out whether a certain brain region is involved with facialrecognition- CAT scan or fMRI? Explain why.

An fMRI would be the best method to identify which part of the brain is involved in facial recognition becausean fMRI measures cerebral blood flow in the brain to obtain an image of neural activity, subsequentlyrevealing which part of the brain is being activated. CAT scans use x-rays to find areas of damage within thebrain due to tumors, strokes, or accidents.

3) Explain why somebody who has an arm amputated might still feel the arm afterward whensomebody strokes his/her cheek. Be sure to include the name of the part of the brain involved andthe lobe in which it is located in your answer.

An amputated arm might still feel the arm after someone strokes his/her cheek because the brain remapsthe missing limb to sensory areas adjacent on the somatosensory cortex, which is located in the parietal

lobe.

4) What is the function of the hypothalamus? Provide an example from a video shown in class.

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating hunger, thirst, response to pain, levels of pleasures, sexualsatisfaction, anger, and aggressive behavior. In the video shown in class, a man is shown expressinguncharacteristic aggression towards his daughter. After removing a cyst that had been applying pressureonto his hypothalamus, his aggressive behavior disappears

5) Why do people with damage to the frontal lobes have problems controlling emotional outbursts?

Damage to the frontal lobes can result in problems controlling emotional outbursts because parts of thefrontal lobe such as the amygdala are responsible for controlling emotion, and toleration of frustration.

6) List and describe two aspects of the neuron that make neurons different from other cells of thebody?

Two aspects of the neuron that make it different than other cells are the dendrites and axons. Dendrites aretree like branches that the project from the cell body of a neuron that received neural impulses. An axon is athick and long fiber that transmits neural impulses away from the neural cell body

7) Why do we have a blood brain barrier? What substances can pass through easily? What can notpass through easily?

We have the blood barrier because it prevents harmful substances from entering our brain through thebloodstream. Any lipid or fat-soluble substances, such as nicotine or heroine, can pass through the barriereasily. Important nutrition such as glucose, amino acids, or vitamins have a hard time passing through theblood barrier without the help of energy expending systems.

8) Describe two things that can happen to a *neurotransmitter* after it has finished binding to areceptor site and causing action at that receptor site.

A neurotransmitter can either cause an excitatory postsynaptic potential, or an inhibitory postsynapticpotential after binding to a receptor site. Excitatory postsynaptic potential occurs when an excitatoryinfluence produces depolarization by increasing the number of Na+ ion channels that open, resulting in moreNa+ ions to enter the cell. Inhibitory postsynaptic potential occurs when an inhibitory influence causeshyperpolarization by causing either K+ ions to leave or Cl- ions to enter.

7/31/2019 Bio Psych Exam #1 Short Answers

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9) Describe the differences between an ionotropic and metabotropic receptor site.

Ionotropic receptor sites ion channels are rapidly opened by the direct action of a neurotransmitter, while ametabotropic receptor sites ion channels are opened indirectly by a second messenger from a G proteinattached to the inside of a cell.

10) What is the purpose of an Institutional Review Board in biological psychology research?

The purpose of an Institutional Review Board in biological psychology research is to protect the rights and

welfare of human participating as subjects in a research study.