CHAPTER 2
Brain and Behavior
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To demonstrate mastery of this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Name the basic unit of the nervous system, state what it is specifically designed to do, and list and describe its four parts.
2. Explain how a nerve impulse (action potential) occurs and how it is an all-or-nothing event, and how a cell returns to its resting state after the nerve cell impulse passes. Define “ions,” “ion channels,” and “negative after-potential.”
3. Describe the difference between the nature of a nerve impulse and the nature of the communication between neurons.
4. Explain how nerve impulses are carried from one neuron to another at the synapse.
5. Explain what determines whether a neuron will trigger an action potential in another neuron.
6. Explain the function of neuropeptides.
7. Describe the effect of myelin on the speed of the nerve impulse.
8. Differentiate a nerve from a neuron.
9. Describe the process of neurogenesis and its connection to brain repair.
10. Explain what determines whether or not a neuron or a nerve will regenerate. Briefly describe the progress in generating regrowth of brain and spinal cord neurons.
11. Chart the various subparts of the human nervous system and generally explain their functions.
12. Differentiate between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system.
13. Explain the mechanism of the reflex arc.
14. List and describe five techniques for studying the brain. Briefly describe how EEG works.
15. Describe each of the four scanning techniques for studying the entire brain as it functions.
The following two objectives are related to the material in the “Discovering Psychology” section of the text.
16. Describe an example of how to test your reaction time, which would demonstrate how the brain requires a few seconds to process sensory information before sending a response signal.
17. Explain how this activity will start before you are consciously aware of it.
18. Describe the main difference between the brains of lower and higher animals. Name what appears to be the foundation of human intellectual superiority.
19. Describe the main difference between the brains of people who score high versus low on mental tests.
20. Define the term “hemispheres” and explain the function of the corpus callosum. Describe the problem known as spatial neglect.
21. Explain how and why a brain is “split” and describe what the resulting effects are.
22. Differentiate the abilities of the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex. Describe what is known about their working together as well as how they process information.
23. Describe the function(s) of each of the following:
a. occipital lobes
b. parietal lobes (include the somatosensory areas)
c. temporal lobes
d. frontal lobes (include the motor cortex)
e. associative areas (include Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas)
24. Explain the relationship between the size of the various parts of the somatosensory and motor areas of the cortex and the degree of sensitivity or importance of the corresponding body parts.
25. Describe the cause and effect of the disorder aphasia.
The following objective is related to the “Human Diversity” section of the text.
26. Explain how male and female brains tend to differ in ways that can affect speech and language and whether they use both left and right hemispheres equally to process language. Are there gender differences in this process and in the recovery from aphasia?
27. List and be able to recognize the three areas of the subcortex.
28. Explain the function of the following parts of two of the three areas of the subcortex:
a. Hindbrain (brainstem)
i. pons
ii. medulla
iii. cerebellum
iv. reticular formation
b. Forebrain
i. thalamus
ii. hypothalamus
29. Name the structures that comprise the limbic system and explain its function (include a description of the function of the amygdala and the hippocampus).
30. Briefly describe the significance of "pleasure" and "aversive" areas in the limbic system.
31. List six basic functions of the brain.
32. Briefly describe the research of Bakay and Kennedy with cortical stimulation in paralyzed persons.
33. Briefly explain the purpose of the endocrine system. Describe the action of hormones in the body.
34. Describe the effect that the following glands have on the body and behavior:
a. pituitary (include a description of giantism, hypopituitary dwarfism, and acromegaly)
b. pineal
c. thyroid (include a description of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism)
d. adrenal medulla
e. adrenal cortex (include a description of virilism, premature puberty, and the problems of anabolic steroids)
35. Describe the relationship among handedness, brain dominance, and speech. Describe the element of handedness that appears to be inherited.
36. Explain how a person can determine which hemisphere is dominant.
37. State the incidence of left-handedness and discuss the relative advantages and/or disadvantages of being right-handed versus left-handed.