Describe the structure of a neuron and the process of neural communication

Describe the structure of a neuron and the process of neural communication. Refer to dendrites, axons, action potential, synapse, threshold, reuptake, and all-or-none response (See Figure 2.1 and 2.2)

 

2. Describe how some of the major neurotransmitters influence thought and behavior (See Table 2.1).  Explain how drugs affect thought and behavior in terms of neurotransmitters.

 

3. Describe the functions of each division of the nervous system (See fig 2.3).  Include reference to sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons. Describe the experience of someone experiencing sympathetic nervous system activation and someone experiencing parasympathetic nervous system activation (see fig 2.4).

 

4. Describe the endocrine system and how it interacts with the nervous system (See fig. 2.5).

 

5. Describe the structures and functions of the various parts of their brain, including how they interact with each other (See figs. 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10).  In particular, describe the structures and functions of the cerebral cortex (see figs. 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.20, 2.21).

 

6. Examining fig. 2.18, describe the four animals depicted in terms of their evolution.  What are the changes or differences across species?

 

7. Describe the different functions of the right and left hemispheres of the brain (see Fig. 2.20, 2.21, 2.22, 2.23, 2.24). What physical structures integrate the functions?  Why would a left-handed person have a dominant right hemisphere, and how does this make them different from a right handed person?

 

8. Describe personal examples of selective attention, inattentional blindness, and change blindness.

 

9.  Give a personal example of a disruption in your circadian rhythm.

 

10.  Describe the different brain wave states and how they differ.  Also, describe the stages of sleep in terms of brain wave activity and mental or physical processes at each stage, including REM (see fig. 2.27, 2.28).  Describe the cycle of stages in a normal night’s sleep (See fig. 2.29).

 

11. Explain why we sleep in terms of studies of sleep deprivation (see Fig. 2.32).  What are the functions of sleep?  Why do we dream?  Describe the theories of dreaming (see table 2.3).

 

*12.  Are the mind and the brain two different things, or the same thing?  If two different things, how do they interact?  Which comes first; the mind or the brain?  Does the brain determine our experiences in the world, or is it vice versa?  Give examples of one or both events.  Is the soul different from the mind/consciousness?  Does all consciousness cease when you die?  If not, what happens to your mind/consciousness?  Should the explanation of all human experience be reduced to brain functions?  Why or why not?  What are the ethical risks in taking this approach?  If all behavior is determined by brain function, how does a person make a choice to do anything, or does their brain make their choices for them?