TRU PSYC 1111 - Chapter 3 Exam
Questions and Answers
Nervous System - ANSWER-Specialized and interconnected cells through which
messages are sent between the brain and the rest of the body
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - ANSWER-Major inhibitory neurotransmitter;
involved in sleep and inhibits movement
Lack of GABA (physical) - ANSWER-Involuntary motor action. (Tremors/Seizures)
Lack of GABA (mental) - ANSWER-Anxiety
Substance that stimulates release of GABA - ANSWER-Alcohol
Glutamate - ANSWER-The most common neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitatory.
Excess of glutamate - ANSWER-overstimulates the brain, producing migraines or
seizures
Serotonin - ANSWER-Mood, appetite, sleep, and aggression
low levels of serotonin (disease) - ANSWER-Depression
Agonist - ANSWER-A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.
Dopamine Agonist - ANSWER-Cocaine
Antagonist - ANSWER-drug which blocks the activity of neurotransmitters
Hormones - ANSWER-chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine
glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
main parts of the endocrine system - ANSWER-hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary, thyroid
and adrenal gland, thymus, pancreas, ovaries and testis
Hypothalamus - ANSWER-a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating,
drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland,
and is linked to emotion
, pitutary gland - ANSWER-is the master gland/produces hormones/regulates and
controls
Androgens - ANSWER-male sex hormones
Male sex hormone functions - ANSWER-Male sex characteristics. Sex drive, social
aggression, dominance.
Estrogens - ANSWER-female sex hormones
Functions of female sex hormones - ANSWER-Female sex characteristics. Regulate
fertility. Linked to learning and memory.
Adrenal Hormones - ANSWER-Involved in emotions and stress
Cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine
The response triggered by release of adrenal hormones. - ANSWER-Fight or flight
Endorphins (hormone) - ANSWER-pleasure, arousal, pain suppression
Melatonin - ANSWER-regulates circadian rhythms. Promotes sleep.
Brainstem - ANSWER-the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the
spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic
survival functions
Medulla - ANSWER-controls heartbeat and breathing
Pons - ANSWER-Controls movement
reticular formation - ANSWER-filters stimuli from spinal cord. Walking, eating, sexual
activity, sleep.
Little Brain - ANSWER-cerebellum
Function of cerebellum - ANSWER-Balance and coordination. Differentiates between
sounds, textures.
Midbrain - ANSWER-A small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory
information and relays it to forebrain
Substantia Nigra - ANSWER-A layer of neurons in midbrain. A major source of
dopamine
Forebrain - ANSWER-Cerebrum. Includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system,
and cerebrum.
Questions and Answers
Nervous System - ANSWER-Specialized and interconnected cells through which
messages are sent between the brain and the rest of the body
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - ANSWER-Major inhibitory neurotransmitter;
involved in sleep and inhibits movement
Lack of GABA (physical) - ANSWER-Involuntary motor action. (Tremors/Seizures)
Lack of GABA (mental) - ANSWER-Anxiety
Substance that stimulates release of GABA - ANSWER-Alcohol
Glutamate - ANSWER-The most common neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitatory.
Excess of glutamate - ANSWER-overstimulates the brain, producing migraines or
seizures
Serotonin - ANSWER-Mood, appetite, sleep, and aggression
low levels of serotonin (disease) - ANSWER-Depression
Agonist - ANSWER-A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter.
Dopamine Agonist - ANSWER-Cocaine
Antagonist - ANSWER-drug which blocks the activity of neurotransmitters
Hormones - ANSWER-chemical messengers that are manufactured by the endocrine
glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues
main parts of the endocrine system - ANSWER-hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary, thyroid
and adrenal gland, thymus, pancreas, ovaries and testis
Hypothalamus - ANSWER-a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating,
drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland,
and is linked to emotion
, pitutary gland - ANSWER-is the master gland/produces hormones/regulates and
controls
Androgens - ANSWER-male sex hormones
Male sex hormone functions - ANSWER-Male sex characteristics. Sex drive, social
aggression, dominance.
Estrogens - ANSWER-female sex hormones
Functions of female sex hormones - ANSWER-Female sex characteristics. Regulate
fertility. Linked to learning and memory.
Adrenal Hormones - ANSWER-Involved in emotions and stress
Cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine
The response triggered by release of adrenal hormones. - ANSWER-Fight or flight
Endorphins (hormone) - ANSWER-pleasure, arousal, pain suppression
Melatonin - ANSWER-regulates circadian rhythms. Promotes sleep.
Brainstem - ANSWER-the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the
spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic
survival functions
Medulla - ANSWER-controls heartbeat and breathing
Pons - ANSWER-Controls movement
reticular formation - ANSWER-filters stimuli from spinal cord. Walking, eating, sexual
activity, sleep.
Little Brain - ANSWER-cerebellum
Function of cerebellum - ANSWER-Balance and coordination. Differentiates between
sounds, textures.
Midbrain - ANSWER-A small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory
information and relays it to forebrain
Substantia Nigra - ANSWER-A layer of neurons in midbrain. A major source of
dopamine
Forebrain - ANSWER-Cerebrum. Includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic system,
and cerebrum.
