Localisation of Function Unit 3 Topic 1 Psychology

Describe the role of the spinal cord in the human nervous system, with reference to the spinal reflex.

• The spinal cord transmits information between the brain and the rest of the body and is responsible for reflex actions such as the spinal reflex.

• The spinal cord only controls voluntary muscle movements and has no role in reflex actions.

• The spinal cord is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism.

• The spinal cord functions solely as a storage site for nutrients in the body.

Distinguish between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, with reference to glutamate (Glu) and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA).

• Glutamate (Glu) is an excitatory neurotransmitter, while gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

• Glutamate (Glu) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, while gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is an excitatory neurotransmitter.

• Both Glutamate (Glu) and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) are excitatory neurotransmitters.

• Both Glutamate (Glu) and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) are inhibitory neurotransmitters.

Compare the physical and psychological function of acetylcholine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin.

• Acetylcholine is involved in muscle action and memory; epinephrine and norepinephrine are involved in the fight-or-flight response; dopamine is involved in reward and motivation; serotonin affects mood and sleep.

• Acetylcholine is involved in digestion; epinephrine and norepinephrine are involved in sleep regulation; dopamine is involved in muscle contraction; serotonin affects blood pressure only.

• Acetylcholine is responsible for vision; epinephrine and norepinephrine are involved in bone growth; dopamine is involved in immune response; serotonin affects hearing.

• Acetylcholine is involved in hair growth; epinephrine and norepinephrine are involved in taste perception; dopamine is involved in skin pigmentation; serotonin affects joint movement.

Discuss the impact of interference in neurotransmitter function, with reference to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease (symptoms and treatments).

• Interference in neurotransmitter function can lead to diseases such as Parkinson’s (dopamine deficiency, treated with L-DOPA) and Alzheimer’s (acetylcholine deficiency, treated with cholinesterase inhibitors).

• Interference in neurotransmitter function only affects motor skills and is not related to cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

• Interference in neurotransmitter function leads to increased production of dopamine and acetylcholine, causing hyperactivity in both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

• Interference in neurotransmitter function is unrelated to the symptoms or treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

The spinal cord plays a crucial role in the human nervous system, especially in relation to the spinal reflex. Which of the following best describes this role?

• It acts as a pathway for signals between the brain and body and mediates reflex actions without brain involvement.

• It is responsible for producing hormones that regulate body functions.

• It controls voluntary muscle movements directly without brain input.

• It stores memories and processes emotions.

Conscious and unconscious automatic responses can be compared as follows:

• Conscious responses involve awareness, while unconscious responses occur without awareness.

• Both conscious and unconscious responses require deliberate thought.

• Unconscious responses are always slower than conscious responses.

• Conscious responses do not require any awareness.

Monosynaptic reflex arcs, as shown in the diagram of the Two-Neuron reflex arc, differ from polysynaptic reflex arcs in that:

• Monosynaptic reflex arcs involve only one synapse between two neurons, while polysynaptic reflex arcs involve multiple synapses and neurons.

• Monosynaptic reflex arcs involve multiple interneurons, while polysynaptic reflex arcs do not.

• Polysynaptic reflex arcs are faster than monosynaptic reflex arcs due to fewer synapses.

• Monosynaptic reflex arcs require more time to respond than polysynaptic reflex arcs.

Polysynaptic reflex arcs differ from monosynaptic reflex arcs in that:

• Polysynaptic reflex arcs involve more than one synapse, while monosynaptic reflex arcs involve only one synapse.

• Polysynaptic reflex arcs involve only one synapse, while monosynaptic reflex arcs involve multiple synapses.

• Both polysynaptic and monosynaptic reflex arcs involve the same number of synapses.

• Monosynaptic reflex arcs do not involve any synapses.

Which flow chart best depicts how Lily’s motor and sensory neuron system worked?

• A flow chart showing sensory neurons receiving stimuli, sending signals to the spinal cord, then to the brain, and motor neurons carrying responses to muscles.

• A flow chart showing only motor neurons sending signals to the brain and back to the muscles, without sensory input.

• A flow chart showing the brain directly controlling muscles without any neuron involvement.

• A flow chart showing sensory neurons sending signals directly to muscles without involving the brain or spinal cord.

Identify the structure labeled as 1 in the brain diagram.

• Frontal lobe

• Occipital lobe

• Cerebellum

• Temporal lobe