Psyc 220 Midterm 1 Study Guide

Chapter 1: Intro to Biopsychology

Be able to define biopsychology

Be able to compare/contrast:
- The common types of research covered
- True experimental studies with nonexperimental studies (i.e.,
quasiexperiments and case studies)

What are the benefits/drawbacks to human versus nonhuman research?

What are the benefits of methodological diversity?

Chapter 3: Anatomy of the Nervous System

Understand the divisions of the nervous system and the functional role each division
plays
- CNS vs. PNS
- Sensory vs. motor
- Autonomic vs. Somatic
- Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic

What strategies have we evolved to protect against physical and chemical damage to
the brain?

Directions used to label various parts of the nervous system (e.g., dorsal, inferior,
proximal).

Know location/definition/function of:

- Oligodendrocytes
- Schwann cells
- The meninges
- Ventricles
- Cerebrospinal fluid
- Nuclei/ganglia
- Tracts/nerves
- Myelencephalon
- Metencephalon
o Pons
o Cerebellum
- Mesencephalon
- Diencephalon
 o Thalamus
o Hypothalamus
- Telencephalon
o Cerebral cortex
o Various lobes and their major structures (e.g., Broca’s area, visual
cortex, etc.)

Chapter 4: Neural Conduction and Transmission

Be able to fully describe the specifics of how each phase of neural transmission
unfolds:
- Neurotransmitter reception
o Ionotropic vs. metabotropic
- Postsynaptic potential
- Action potential
o Rising phase
o Repolarization phase
o Hyperpolarization phase
- Neurotransmitter release
o The role of calcium channels
o Autoreceptors
o Reuptake vs. degradation

Polarization vs. depolarization vs. hyperpolarization

- What is physically happening inside the cell when each of these processes
is occurring?
- What is the resting potential and how is it maintained?

How are action potentials conducted down the axon in myelinated versus
unmyelinated neurons?

Refractory periods
- What are they?
- What causes them?
- How do they affect neural firing rates?

Be able to define the various categories of neurotransmitters

- large vs. small
- amino acids
- monoamines
- acetylcholine
- unconventional
- neuropeptides
Mechanisms by which drugs interfere with synaptic transmission

Concrete examples:
- How do curare and botox work?
- How did researchers discover the link between Schizophrenia and
dopamine?