Biopsychology: Practice Questions

Which division of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for controlling involuntary actions of internal organs and glands, such as heart rate and digestion?

What happens at the synapse when an inhibitory neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron?

Which biological mechanism contributes most significantly to functional recovery in the brain following trauma by enabling secondary neural pathways to be activated to carry out functions previously performed by damaged areas?

Identify the division of the peripheral nervous system that is responsible for returning the body to its normal resting state after a perceived threat has passed.

Explain the key role of adrenaline during the fight or flight response and identify the gland primarily responsible for its immediate release.

Following an accident, a patient sustained damage to part of their cerebral cortex, specifically the auditory association area, leading to temporary difficulties in processing spoken language sounds. The patient has since recovered most of this function.

(a) Explain the structure and function of the sensory and relay neurons involved in processing auditory input before it reaches the cerebral cortex.

(b) Explain the process of functional recovery in the brain that would allow the patient to regain function following the damage to their auditory association area. Reference should be made to the underlying changes associated with plasticity.