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Neuroscience Fundamentals Flashcards

7 cards from real Biology Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which brain structure is primarily responsible for processing fear and emotional memories, and is part of the limbic system?

    Answer: Amygdala

    The amygdala evaluates emotional salience of stimuli and is critical for the formation and storage of fear-related memories.

  2. What is the primary function of the cerebellum in motor control?

    Answer: Coordinating movement and maintaining balance and fine motor precision

    The cerebellum compares intended movement commands with sensory feedback to correct errors, ensuring smooth, coordinated, and precise motor actions.

  3. Which ion primarily flows into the neuron during the rising phase (depolarization) of an action potential?

    Answer: Sodium (Na⁺)

    Voltage-gated sodium channels open rapidly at threshold, allowing Na⁺ to rush into the cell down its electrochemical gradient, producing the rapid depolarization.

  4. Broca's area, critical for speech production, is located in which region of the brain?

    Answer: Left frontal lobe

    Broca's area resides in the inferior frontal gyrus of the left hemisphere and coordinates the motor aspects of speech and language production.

  5. Synaptic vesicles fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release neurotransmitters in response to an influx of which ion?

    Answer: Calcium (Ca²⁺)

    When the action potential depolarizes the presynaptic terminal, voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels open; the resulting Ca²⁺ influx triggers SNARE-mediated vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release.

  6. Which type of receptor directly opens an ion channel upon ligand binding (ionotropic)?

    Answer: AMPA glutamate receptor

    AMPA receptors are ligand-gated ion channels; glutamate binding directly opens the channel pore, allowing Na⁺ influx and causing rapid depolarization.

  7. The spinal cord grey matter's ventral (anterior) horn contains mainly which type of neurons?

    Answer: Lower motor neurons (alpha motor neurons)

    The ventral horn houses alpha motor neurons whose axons exit through ventral roots to directly innervate skeletal muscle fibers, executing voluntary movement.