Chapter 1 Flashcards
(140 cards)
1
Q
What are Franz Gall’s contributions to neuropsychology?
A
- Earliest theory that behavior, intellect and personality are linked to brain anatomy
- Phrenology - thought that when traits developed, the responsible part of the brain would swell and push on the skull
2
Q
What are Pierre Flourens’ contributions to neuropsychology?
A
- First person to study functions of major brain sections by extirpating/ablating rabbits and pigeons
- Concluded that specific parts of the brain had specific functions
3
Q
What are William James’ contributions to neuropsychology?
A
- Founder of American psychology - studied how the mind adapts to its environment
- Foundation of Functionalism (specific brain parts have specific functions)
4
Q
What are John Dewey’s contributions to neuropsychology?
A
Important to Functionalism - 1897 article critisized the reflex arc (that breaks the process of reacting to a stimulus into discrete parts)
- Believed that psychology should study the organism as a whole reacting to its environment
5
Q
What are Pam Broca’s contributions to neuropsychology?
A
- Examining behavioral deficits of people with brain damage
- Demonstrated that functional impairments were linked to specific brain lesions
- Left side brain responsible for speech now called Broca’s area
6
Q
What are Hermann von Helmholtz’s contributions to neuropsychology?
A
- First to measure speed of nerve impulse
- Credited with transitioning psychology from philosophy to quantifiable natural science
7
Q
What are Sir Charles Sherrington’s contributions to neuropsychology?
A
- Inferred the existence of synapses, thought synaptic transmission was electrical instead of chemical (it’s chemical)
8
Q
What is the function of sensory neurons?
A
Transmit sensory information from the receptors to the spine and brain
9
Q
What is the function of afferent neurons?
A
Transmit sensory information from the receptors to the spine and brain
10
Q
What is the function of motor neurons?
A
Transmit motor information from spine and brain to the body’s muscles and glands
11
Q
What is the function of efferent neurons?
A
Transmit motor information from spine and brain to the body’s muscles and glands
12
Q
What is the function of interneurons?
A
send signals to muscles and glands directly, the original sensory information is still transmitted but is received after muscles have already responded
13
Q
Where are interneurons mostly found?
A
brain and spine
14
Q
What is the central nervous system composed of?
A
Brain and spine
15
Q
What is the peripheral nervous system composed of?
A
Nerve tissues and fibers outside of the brain and spinal cord - includes olfactory and optic nerves (even though they’re directly from the brain)
- 31 pairs of nerves from the spine (spinal nerves)
- 12 pairs of nerves from the brain (cranial nerves)
16
Q
What is the somatic peripheral system composed of?
A
sensory and motor neurons in skin, joints, and muscles
17
Q
What is the purpose of the somatic peripheral system?
A
Transmit information through afferent fibers toward the central nervous system - voluntary movements
18
Q
What is the purpose of the autonomic peripheral system?
A
Manages involuntary muscles associated with internal organs and glands
- Independent of conscious control
19
Q
What is the function of the parasympathetic system?
A
Conserve energy, resting state
20
Q
What is the function of the sympathetic system?
A
Responds to stressors - fight or flight response
21
Q
Which nerves cause the constriction of pupils?
A
3 and 7
22
Q
Which nerves stimulates the flow of saliva?
A
7 and 9
23
Q
What is the role of nerve X (vagus) in the parasympathetic system?
A
- constricts bronchi
- slows heartbeat
- inhibits release of glucose
- stimulates bile release
- stimulates peristalsis and secretion
24
Q
How does the parasympathetic system conserve energy?
A
- constricts pupils
- Stimulates flow of saliva
- constricts bronchi
- slows heartbeat
- inhibits release of glucose
- stimulates bile release
- stimulates peristalsis and secretion
- Contracts bladder
- Promotes erection of genitals
25
Which neurotransmitter is responsible for the parasympathetic system?
acetylcholine
26
What are the responses of the sympathetic system when the body is under stress?
dilates pupils
inhibits salivation
relaxes bronchi
accelerates heartbeat
stimulates glucose production and release
inhibits peristalsis and secretion
secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline
inhibits bladder contraction
stimulates orgasm
stimulates sweating or piloerection (goosebumps)
27
Which nerves are responsible for sympathetic responses?
Spinal
28
What are the 3 layers of the meninges and what are their individual purposes?
Para mater - connects to the skull
Arachnoid mater - web-like fibers that connect the para mater to the pia mater
Pia mater - connects to the brain
29
As a whole, what is the meninges purpose?
- Anchors brain to skull
- Reabsorb cerebrospinal fluid
30
What is the purpose of cerebrospinal fluid?
- Nourishes brain and spine
Provides a protective cushion for the brain
31
Where is cerebrospinal fluid made?
Specialized cells that line with the brain's ventricles (internal cavities)
32
Where in the brain are structures required for basic survival located?
Base of the brain
33
Where in the brain are structures requires for more complex functions located?
Higher up in the brain
34
Which two brain sections are considered the most primitive?
hindbrain and midbrain
35
What structures make up the brainstem? (2)
hindbrain and midbrain
36
What functions are the forebrain (including the limbic system) associated with?
Emotion and memory
37
Which brain structure developed most recently?
Cerebral cortex
38
The brain structure that is most recent in evolutional development is associated with which functions?
Cerebral cortex - language processing, problem solving, impulse control, long term planning
39
Which section of the brain has the greatest influence on human behavior?
Forebrain
40
Which 5 structures make up the forebrain?
cerebral cortex
basal ganglia
limbic system
thalamus
hypothalamus
41
In general, what is the forebrain responsible for? (5)
Perception
Cognition
Behavior
Emotion
Memory
42
What two structures make up the midbrain?
Superior and inferior colliculi
43
What is the midbrain responsible for?
Receiving sensory and motor signals from the rest of the body
Causes involuntary reflexes to optic or auditory stimuli
44
What is the function of the superior colliculi?
Receives and reacts to visual sensory input
45
What is the function of the inferior colliculi?
Receives and reacts to auditory sensory input
46
Where the brain meets the spinal cord, you will find what structure?
Hindbrain
47
What are the functions of the hindbrain?
Balance
Motor coordination
Breathing
Digestion
Arousal
Sleeping
Walking
48
What four brain structures make up the hindbrain?
Cerebellum
Medulla Oblongata
Reticular formation
Pons
49
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Refined motor movements
Maintaining posture and balance
Coordinates body movements
50
What is the function of the medulla oblongata?
Heart
Vital reflexes (vomiting, coughing)
51
What is the function of the reticular formation?
arousal
alertness
52
What is the function of Pons?
communication with the brain
breathing
acts as a sensory and motor pathway between the cortex and the medulla
53
The pons acts as a pathway between which two brain structures?
cortex and medulla
54
Embryonic forebrain development begins with what structure?
Prosencephalon
55
The Prosencephalon divides into which two embryonic brain structures?
Telencephalon and Diencephalon
56
Which brain structures develop from the telencephalon?
Cerebral Cortex
Basal Ganglia
Limbic system
57
Which brain structures develop from the Diencephalon?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Pineal gland
Posterior pituitary gland
58
The midbrain develops from which embryonic structure?
Mesencephalon
59
The mesencephalon develops into which mature section of the brain?
Midbrain
60
During the embryonic formation of the hindbrain, what is the primary structure called?
Rhombencephalon
61
During embryonic development, the Rhombencephalon divides into what two structures?
Myelencephalon and Metencephalon
62
The myelencephalon matures and becomes which brain structure?
Medulla oblongata
63
The medulla oblongata is the mature form of which embryonic brain structure?
myelencephalon
64
In embryonic development, the metencephalon divides and matures to become which structures?
Pons and Cerebellum
65
What are the five main methods of mapping the brain?
Studying human patients with brain lesions
Studying animals with brain lesions
Electrically stimulating the brain
Recording electrical activity produced by the brain itself
Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)
66
What is extirpation? Why is it controversial?
Surgically removing sections of the brain to study how its absence affects animal behavior
Ethical concerns and animal rights
67
What problems may occur when studying human patients with brain lesions to map the brain?
Brain damage is rarely ever contained to one specific structure
68
EEG
Electro Encephalogram - places several electrodes on the scalp to record electrical brain activity
Benefits - Noninvasive, can be used with human subjects
69
rCBF
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow
Detects broad patterns of neural activity based on areas of increased blood flow
- Patient inhales radioactive gas which is then traced in the bloodstream
70
CT/CAT scan
Computed tomography/computed axial tomography
- x-rays are taken at different angles to produce cross sectional images
71
PET scan
Positron Emission Tomography
Radioactive sugar is injected into the body and then traced
72
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Magnetic field interacts with hydrogen atoms in the body to map hydrogen dense regions
73
fMRI
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- MRI but specifically measures changes associated with blood flow - used specifically for neural activity
74
What are the functions of the thalamus?
- acts as a relay station for incoming sensory information (all except smell)
- receives, sorts, then transmits information to cerebral cortex areas
75
What are the functions of the hypothalamus?
- homeostatic processes
- emotional experiences (arousal, aggression, sex)
- controls some endocrine functions
- primary regulator of autonomic functions
- receptors in the hypothalamus regulate metabolism, temperature, and water balance
76
What are the three sections of the hypothalamus ?
Lateral, ventromedial, anterior
77
What are the functions of the lateral hypothalamus?
Hunger center - signals when to eat and drink
78
What are the functions of the ventromedial hypothalamus?
Satiety center - signals to stop eating and drinking
79
What are the functions of the Anterior Hypothalamus?
Controls sexual behavior
Regulates sleep and body temperature
80
What would change in rat's behavior if their lateral hypothalamus was removed?
lab rats with lateral hypothalamus removed refused to eat or drink
81
A lesion in the ventromedial hypothalamus could lead to what?
obesity
82
What changes are expected in an individual with a damaged anterior hypothalamus?
inhibition of sexual activity
83
What is the function of the posterior pituitary gland? What is it made of?
Made of axonal projections from the hypothalamus
site of release for hypothalamic hormones
- ADH, oxytocin
84
What is the function of the pineal gland?
Biological rhythms
Secretes melatonin to regulate circadian rhythms
Receives direct signals from retina for coordination with sunlight
85
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
Coordinates smooth muscle movements and maintains posture as information is received from the cortex
relays information from the cortex via extrapyramidal motor system to the CNS
86
What is the function of the extrapyramidal system?
Gathers information about the body's position and transfers it to the CNS
- does not function directly though motor neurons
87
Damage to which part of the brain is associated with Parkinson's disease?
Basal Ganglia
88
The basal ganglia is associated with which diseases/disorders?
Parkinson's disease
Schizophrenia
OCD
89
What is the limbic system and its functions
a group of interconnected structures that loop around the central part of the brain
associated with emotion and memory
90
What four structures make up the limbic system?
Septal nuclei
amygdala
hippocampus
anterior cingulate cortex
91
What is the function of the septal nuclei
one of the primary pleasure centers
92
Which part of the brain is associated with addictive behavior?
Septal nuclei
93
What are the functions of the amygdala?
defensive and aggressive behaviors (fear, rage)
94
What changes would occur if the amygdala was damaged?
Reduction in fear and aggression
95
What changes would occur if there was a lesion in the amygdala?
hypersexual states, timidity
96
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Learning and memory processes
consolidates information to form long term memories
Redistributes remote memories to the cerebral cortex
Communicates with other limbic structures though long projection called fornix
96
What is the difference between anterograde and retrograde amnesia ?
Anterograde - old memories stay, unable to make new memories
Retrograde - old memories are erased, can make new ones
97
What is the function of the anterior cingulate cortex?
Connects with the frontal and parietal lobe to allow higher order cognitive processes - regulation of impulse control and decision making
Maintains connection to other limbic structures - plays a role in emotion and motivation
98
What is the cerebral cortex? What parts is it divided into?
Outer surface of the brain/neocortex (most recent development)
Divided into two cerebral hemispheres (left and right)
Divided into 4 lobes - Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal
99
What are the two main divisions of the frontal lobe?
Prefrontal cortex and motor cortex
100
In which part of the brain is Broca's area located?
Prefrontal cortex in the frontal lobe - dominant hemisphere only
101
What are the functions of the prefrontal cortex and its associations?
Supervising and directing the operations of other brain regions
Communicates with reticular formation in the brain stem to signal attention/alertness (ex. waking up, relaxing)
Supervises processes associated with perception, memory, emotion, impulse control, long term planning
Reminds individuals that they have something to remember
102
What would happen if the prefrontal cortex was damaged?
impairs supervisory functions - other parts of the brain would also stop functioning properly
103
What would happen if there was a lesion in the prefrontal cortex?
Impulsive, less control of behavior, angry outbursts, crying, vulgar and inappropriate sexual remarks, apathy to others emotions
104
What is an association area?
Integrates input from diverse regions, required for puzzle solving
105
The prefrontal cortex is an example of what kind of area?
association area
106
What is the function of the motor cortex?
Initiate voluntary movements by sending neural impulses down the spinal cord and toward the muscles
107
How are neurons arranged in the motor cortex?
systematically according to the parts of the body to which they're connected
108
What is a projection area?
Am area in the brain that performs perceptional and motor tasks rather than coordinating other parts
109
The motor cortex is an example of which kind of area?
projection area
110
What are the two parts that make up the parietal lobe?
Somatosensory cortex, central region
111
What are the functions of the somatosensory cortex?
Involved in somatosensory information processing
Projection area - receives signals for touch, pressure, temperature, pain
112
What is the sensorimotor complex?
The somatosensory cortex and the motor cortex grouped together because they are closely related
113
What is the function of the central region of the parietal lobe?
Spatial processing and manipulation
Spatial manipulation of objects, apply spatial orientation skills, map reading
114
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
Visual cortex/ striate cortex
- learning, motor control, sight
115
What are the two components of the temporal lobe?
Auditory cortex, Wernicke's area
116
What is the function of the auditory cortex?
sound processing
117
What is the function of Wernicke's area?
Language reception and comprehension
118
What are the functions of the temporal lobe?
Memory processing, emotion, language
119
What can happen when the temporal lobe is stimulated?
Evokes memories from the past since the hippocampus is located deep in the temporal lobe
120
What does it mean when a brain structure acts contralaterally?
side of the brain communicates with the opposite side of the brain (most functions)
121
What does it mean when a brain structure acts ipsilaterally?
side of the brain communicates with the same side of the body (ex. hearing)
122
What factors define the dominant hemisphere?
the hemisphere that's more heavily stimulated during language reception and production, primarily the left hemisphere
123
What functions are the dominant hemisphere associated with?
Analysis, management, language, logic, math
124
What are the functions of the non-dominant hemisphere?
Intuition, creativity, music cognition, spatial processing
- Processes pieces of a stimulus and assembles it into a holistic image
- Sensitive to the emotional tone of speech based on visual and auditory cues
125
What roles do the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres have on the visual system?
Dominant interprets letters and words, non-dominant interprets faces
126
What roles do the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres have on the auditory system?
Dominant - language related sounds
Non-dominant - music
127
What roles do the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres have in language?
Dominant - speech, reading, writing, arithmetic
Non-dominant - emotions
128
What roles do the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres have on movement?
Dominant - complex voluntary movements
Non-dominant - nothing
129
What roles do the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres have on spatial processes?
Dominant - nothing
Non-dominant - geometry and direction
130
What is a neurotransmitter?
Chemical used to send signals between neurons
131
What is an agonist?
A drug that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter
132
What is an antagonist?
A drug that blocks the action of a neurotransmitter
133
What is acetylcholine's role in the peripheral nervous system?
Transmits nerve signals to muscles
Used in parasympathetic system
Used in sympathetic system in ganglia and innervating sweat glands
134
What is acetylcholine's role in the central nervous system?
attention and arousal
135
What are the 3 catecholamines that influence behavior?
Epinephrine, Dopamine, Serotonin
136
What process are catecholamines important to?
Experience of emotions
137
What are two other names for catecholamines?
Monoamines or biogenic amines
138
What is the role of epinephrine and norepinephrine?
Control alertness and wakefulness?
Primary neurotransmitters in the sympathetic nervous system
139
