Chapter 1 (AI) Flashcards
1
Q
What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
A
- Occipital lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Frontal lobe
2
Q
How many distinct laminae does the human cerebral cortex contain?
A
Up to six distinct laminae
3
Q
What is the primary function of the basal ganglia?
A
- Planning of motor movement
- Aspects of memory
- Emotional expression
- Critical for gradual learning of skills and habits
4
Q
What structures are included in the diencephalon?
A
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
5
Q
What is the role of the thalamus?
A
Relay station from the sensory organs; main source of input to the cortex
6
Q
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
A
- Conveys messages to the pituitary gland
- Associated with behaviors such as eating, drinking, and sexual behavior
7
Q
Which structures are part of the limbic system?
A
- Olfactory bulb
- Hypothalamus
- Hippocampus
- Amygdala
- Cingulate gyrus
8
Q
What is the primary function of the cerebral cortex?
A
The most prominent part of the mammalian brain; involved in higher-order processing
9
Q
What are the two types of matter in the spinal cord?
A
- Gray matter
- White matter
10
Q
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a clear fluid found in the brain and spinal cord.
A
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
11
Q
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
A
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
12
Q
True or False: The cerebral cortex receives sensory information from the thalamus for all senses.
A
False
13
Q
What is the function of the meninges?
A
Membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, containing pain receptors
14
Q
What is the function of the corpus callosum?
A
Joins the two halves of the cerebral hemispheres
15
Q
What anatomical term refers to ‘toward the back’?
A
Dorsal
16
Q
What anatomical term refers to ‘toward the front’?
A
Anterior
17
Q
Fill in the blank: The _______ controls voluntary muscles and conveys sensory information to the CNS.
A
Somatic nervous system
18
Q
What are the components of gray matter in the spinal cord?
A
Densely packed with cell bodies and dendrites
19
Q
What is the role of the EEG?
A
Records electrical activity produced by various brain regions
20
Q
What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?
A
Involved in executive functions, decision making, and motor control
21
Q
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
A
Processing visual information
22
Q
What is the primary function of the temporal lobe?
A
Involvement in auditory processing and memory
23
Q
What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?
A
Processing sensory information related to touch, temperature, and pain
24
Q
True or False: The spinal cord sends motor commands to the brain.
A
False
25
What is the main source of cerebrospinal fluid?
The ventricles
26
What term describes structures that lie perpendicular to the laminae in the cortex?
Columns
27
What sensation reaches the cerebral cortex without passing through the thalamus?
Olfaction
## Footnote
Olfaction is the sense of smell, which is unique in that it bypasses the thalamus.
28
What are the two types of roots in the spinal cord and their functions?
* Dorsal roots: carry sensory information
* Ventral roots: carry motor information
## Footnote
Dorsal roots bring sensory signals from the body to the spinal cord, while ventral roots send motor signals from the spinal cord to the body.
29
What is the role of the hippocampus?
Critical for certain types of memory, especially memories for individual events
## Footnote
The hippocampus is located between the thalamus and cerebral cortex.
30
Define 'tract' in the context of the nervous system.
A set of axons within the CNS, also known as a projection.
## Footnote
Tracts connect different parts of the nervous system, allowing for communication between them.
31
What is 'optogenetics'?
A technique that allows researchers to turn on activity in targeted neurons using a laser.
## Footnote
This method is used primarily in laboratory settings and can provide insights into neuronal function.
32
What is the binding problem in neuroscience?
Refers to how the brain integrates different sensory inputs to perceive a single object.
## Footnote
The binding problem is significant for understanding how the brain processes multi-sensory information.
33
What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?
* Frontal lobe
* Parietal lobe
* Temporal lobe
* Occipital lobe
## Footnote
Each lobe has distinct functions related to different aspects of processing information.
34
What is a prefrontal lobotomy?
Surgical disconnection of the prefrontal cortex from the rest of the brain.
## Footnote
This procedure was used in the past to treat severe mental illness but often resulted in significant cognitive and emotional deficits.
35
What is the primary motor cortex also known as?
Precentral gyrus
## Footnote
The precentral gyrus is responsible for the control of fine motor movements.
36
What does the Human Connectome Project aim to achieve?
Map all long-distance connections in the human brain.
## Footnote
This project seeks to understand how brain connectivity relates to behavior.
37
True or False: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher functions like abstract thinking and planning.
True
## Footnote
Damage to this area can severely impact decision-making and memory.
38
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a structure located in the hindbrain that helps regulate motor movement, balance, and coordination.
Cerebellum
## Footnote
The cerebellum is also important for shifting attention between auditory and visual stimuli.
39
What are some methods for studying brain-behavior relationships?
* Examine effects of brain damage
* Lesion studies
* Ablation
* Gene knockout
* Transcranial magnetic stimulation
* Optogenetic stimulation
## Footnote
Each method has its strengths and limitations in understanding how brain functions relate to behavior.
40
What is the role of the anterior zone of the prefrontal cortex?
Important for making decisions and evaluating outcomes.
## Footnote
This area of the brain integrates various types of information to guide behavior.
41
Define 'ganglion' in the context of the nervous system.
A cluster of neuron cell bodies, usually outside the CNS.
## Footnote
Ganglia play a role in processing information in the peripheral nervous system.
42
What are the effects of stimulant drugs like amphetamine and cocaine?
Stimulate dopamine synapses by increasing dopamine release.
## Footnote
These drugs can enhance mood and energy levels but also have potential for addiction.
43
What is a 'nucleus' in the context of the nervous system?
A cluster of neuron cell bodies within the CNS.
## Footnote
Nuclei are involved in specific functions and processes within the brain.
44
What is the primary responsibility of the prefrontal cortex?
Control of fine motor movement
## Footnote
The prefrontal cortex integrates sensory information and other areas of the cortex.
45
Which areas are known as the default network in the brain?
Several areas in the prefrontal cortex and the temporoparietal junction
## Footnote
The default network is involved in various cognitive functions.
46
Where is the temporal lobe located?
On the lateral portion of each hemisphere near the temples
## Footnote
It is a target for auditory information and essential for processing spoken language.
47
What syndrome is associated with temporal lobe damage?
Klüver-Bucy syndrome
## Footnote
This syndrome affects emotional and motivational behaviors.
48
What is the primary function of the pons?
Acts as a bridge for axons crossing to the opposite side of the spinal cord
## Footnote
The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa.
49
What are the main categories of research methods to study the brain?
* Examine the effects of brain damage
* Examine the effects of stimulating a brain area
* Record brain activity during behavior
* Correlate brain anatomy with behavior
## Footnote
These categories help researchers understand brain-behavior relationships.
50
What does fMRI stand for?
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
## Footnote
It uses oxygen consumption in the brain to provide detailed images.
51
Fill in the blank: The method of relating skull anatomy to behavior is known as _______.
Phrenology
## Footnote
Phrenology was one of the earliest approaches to study the brain but yielded few accurate results.
52
What does a PET scanner measure?
Changes over both time and location in brain activity
## Footnote
It requires exposing the brain to radiation.
53
What is ablation in the context of brain research?
Removal of a brain area
## Footnote
It is often used to study the effects of losing specific brain functions.
54
What does EEG stand for?
Electroencephalograph
## Footnote
It records brain activity from the scalp and measures changes by milliseconds.
55
True or False: The medulla is responsible for vital reflexes such as breathing and heart rate.
True
## Footnote
It is located just above the spinal cord.
56
What is the primary function of cranial nerve I?
Smell
## Footnote
This nerve is known as the olfactory nerve.
57
What type of imaging uses X-rays to map brain areas?
Computerized axial tomography (CAT)
## Footnote
It is used to identify tumors and abnormalities.
58
What is the role of the nucleus basalis in the brain?
Releases acetylcholine to the cerebral cortex
## Footnote
It is important for arousal, wakefulness, and attention.
59
What is the function of the trigeminal cranial nerve?
Skin sensations from the face and control of jaw muscles
## Footnote
It is involved in chewing and swallowing.
60
Fill in the blank: The _______ is located on the dorsal surface of the forebrain.
Basal forebrain
## Footnote
It includes several structures important for attention and arousal.
61
What does the term 'lesion' refer to in brain research?
Damage to a brain area
## Footnote
Often done for research purposes.
62
What does a magnetoencephalograph (MEG) measure?
Magnetic fields associated with brain activity
## Footnote
It is similar to EEG but provides different data.
63
What is the primary function of cranial nerve VII?
Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and control of facial expressions
## Footnote
It also involves crying and salivation.
64
True or False: The hindbrain consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.
True
## Footnote
These structures are located at the posterior portion of the brain.
65
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?
Application of an intense magnetic field to deactivate neurons
## Footnote
It allows researchers to study behavior with an area active and then inactive.
66
What is the main advantage of fMRI over PET scans?
Safer and less expensive
## Footnote
fMRI does not require exposure to radiation.
67
What are the major divisions of the vertebrate brain?
* Forebrain
* Midbrain
* Hindbrain
## Footnote
The forebrain includes the prosencephalon, midbrain is also known as mesencephalon, and hindbrain as rhombencephalon.
68
What structures are included in the forebrain?
* Thalamus
* Hypothalamus
* Cerebral cortex
* Hippocampus
* Basal ganglia
## Footnote
The forebrain is also referred to as the prosencephalon.
69
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
Essential for spatial and numerical information.
## Footnote
An example is using fingers to count, which overlaps spatial and numerical tasks.
70
What is the primary target for touch sensations in the brain?
Postcentral gyrus (primary somatosensory cortex)
## Footnote
It processes information from muscle-stretch receptors and joint receptors.
71
What does the parasympathetic nervous system facilitate?
Vegetative and nonemergency responses.
## Footnote
It decreases functions increased by the sympathetic nervous system.
72
True or False: The sympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate.
False
## Footnote
The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate as part of the 'fight or flight' response.
73
What neurotransmitter is primarily released by the postganglionic axons of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Acetylcholine
## Footnote
In contrast, the sympathetic nervous system mostly uses norepinephrine.
74
Fill in the blank: The occipital lobe is also known as the _______.
Striate cortex or primary visual cortex
## Footnote
It is highly responsible for visual input.
75
What are the components of the sympathetic nervous system?
* Increases heart rate
* Increases blood pressure
* Increases respiration
## Footnote
It prepares the organs for rigorous activity.
76
What is Magnetoencephalography (MEG)?
A technique that measures faint magnetic fields generated by brain activity.
## Footnote
It is similar to EEG but uses magnetic fields instead of electrical activity.
77
What does Positron-emission tomography (PET) measure?
Emission of radioactivity from injected radioactive chemicals.
## Footnote
PET produces a high-resolution image of brain activity.
78
What is the main role of the hypothalamus?
Regulates vital bodily functions and homeostasis.
## Footnote
It is a key structure within the diencephalon of the forebrain.
79
What is the primary role of the tegmentum in the midbrain?
Involved in movement and arousal.
## Footnote
It contains structures like the substantia nigra.
80
What is the role of the cerebellum in the hindbrain?
Coordination of voluntary movements and balance.
## Footnote
It is crucial for motor control.
