What disease is thought to stem from cell death within a dopamine-producing region of the brain:
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. Parkinson’s disease
Explanation
Parkinson’s disease originates from the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. The substantia nigra loses these vital cells, causing severe motor control deficits. Dopamine depletion disrupts smooth neural signaling necessary for voluntary muscle movement. Dopamine acts as a critical neurotransmitter regulating movement, motivation, and reward pathways. Motor symptoms include tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability in patients. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting older adult populations.
Treatments often involve medications like levodopa to temporarily boost brain dopamine levels. Medical researchers continue exploring deep brain stimulation to alleviate severe motor symptoms. Understanding neurotransmitter loss helps neuroscientists develop targeted pharmacological therapeutic interventions. Alzheimer’s disease involves amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles destroying cortical memory networks. Drug abuse alters reward circuitry rather than causing primary substantia nigra cell death. Epilepsy involves abnormal electrical discharge activity causing unpredictable recurring neurological seizures.
- Subject
- Psychology
- Category
- Psychology
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
Related questions
Q1. Alongside a superficial network of neurons, where else is a deeper plexus embedded within the parenchyma:
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. Planaria
Planaria feature a primitive nervous system containing a subepidermal nerve plexus. This deeper plexus is embedded directly within the surrounding parenchymal tissue layers. Flatworms represent simple organisms displayin...
Q2. What is considered a core characteristic shared by all abnormal behaviors:
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: C. maladaptive
The choice correctly identifies maladaptiveness as a core shared characteristic of abnormal behaviors. Behavior is considered maladaptive when it significantly interferes with daily functioning and personal well-being. C...
Q3. What does a correlation coefficient of -1.09 signify
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. error in computation
A correlation coefficient mathematically cannot exceed positive 1.0 or fall below negative 1.0 under any circumstances. Finding a numerical value like negative 1.09 immediately reveals a fundamental error in the statisti...
Q4. Which division of the autonomic nervous system readies the body for stressful or high-energy actions, known as the fight-or-flight response:
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: C. Sympathetic division
The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system mobilizes the body for action. It specifically orchestrates the classic fight-or-flight response during perceived stress. Activation increases heart rate and dilat...
Q5. What is the term for a disorder characterized by persistent tension alongside infrequent anxiety attacks where individuals fear losing their sanity or impending death:
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. panic disorder
The selection correctly identifies panic disorder as involving persistent tension and sudden panic attacks. Individuals suffer from intense fear of impending doom, dying, or losing their sanity during acute episodes. The...
Q6. How is a distinct grouping of cells responsible for synthesizing specific chemical compounds defined:
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. both a & b
Endocrine glands are specialized groups of cells responsible for synthesizing and releasing specific chemical compounds. These glands are also classified as ductless glands because they secrete their products directly in...