Chapter 4: Role of the brain in mental processes and behaviour

Question 1

Describe the brain versus heart debate

Answer 1

the issue of whether the brain or the heart was the source of human thoughts, feelings and behaviour

Question 2

Describe the mind-body problem

Answer 2

the question of whether our mind and body are distinct, separate entities or whether they are one and the same thing

Question 3

Describe the mind-brain problem

Answer 3

questions about the relationship between brain activity and conscious experience

Question 4

What is phrenology and why can phrenology be viewed as an early theory of brain localisation?

Answer 4

• phrenology is a theory linking specific abilities or personality traits to specific areas of the brain, especially bumps and hollows in the skull surface
• this can be viewed as an early theory of brain localisation because phrenology has a map of the skull split into over 35 sections

Question 5

List three first brain experiments

Answer 5

1. Brain ablation
2. Brain lesioning
3. Electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)

Question 6

What is brain ablation?

Answer 6

brain ablation involves the
destruction or removal of part of the brain

Question 7

What is brain lesioning?

Answer 7

Brain lesioning involves disrupting or damaging the normal structure or function of part of the brain.

Question 8

Describe the process of electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB)

Answer 8

using an electrode to stimulate a specific area of the brain to assess what function that area controls or is involved in

Question 9

What is the split-brain surgery?

Answer 9

Split-brain surgery involves cutting the main band of nerve tissue connecting the two hemispheres. This tissue is called the corpus callosum.

Question 10

What are the effects of split-brain surgery?

Answer 10

• used to treat severe cases of epilepsy
• block signals from being passed between the brain’s two hemispheres. The corpus callosum is the primary pathway for communication between the hemispheres, and its removal disrupts this communication

Question 11

List two types of structural neuroimaging techniques

Answer 11

1. CT (CAT) Scan
2. MRI

Question 12

What is a CT scan and what does it stand for?

Answer 12

• computerised tomography
• uses x-ray equipment to scan the brain at different angles. A computer builds up a picture and creates an image showing a horizontal cross-section of the brain, as if it has been sliced through. CT images provide more detailed information than plain x-rays do. Images may also be produced in 3D.

Question 13

What is MRI and what does it stand for?

Answer 13

• magnetic resonance imaging
• uses harmless magnetic fields to vibrate atoms in the brain’s neurons and generate a computer image of the brain.

Question 14

List two types of functional neuroimaging techniques

Answer 14

1. fMRI
2. PET

Question 15

What is a fMRI and what does it stand for?

Answer 15

• functional magnetic resonance imaging
• detects and records brain activity by measuring oxygen consumption across the brain. Areas that are more active consume more oxygen.

Question 16

What is a PET scan and what does it stand for?

Answer 16

• positron emission tomography
• a small amount of radioactive glucose is injected which then goes to your brain. Photos get taken around the brain where the glucose is getting used.

Question 17

What are the three sections of the brain?

Answer 17

1. Midbrain
2. Hindbrain
3. Forebrain

Question 18

What are the key structures in the midbrain?

Answer 18

• substantia nigra
• reticular formation

Question 19

Describe the substantia nigra

Answer 19

The substantia nigra is a collection of neurons producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in movement and coordination.

Question 20

What would happen if the substantia nigra was damaged?

Answer 20

Damage to the substantia nigra is associated with Parkinson’s disease

Question 21

Describe the reticular formation

Answer 21

• Network of neurons that regulates alertness and modifies muscle movements; extends into hindbrain and links upper and lower areas
• plays a role in maintaining arousal, consciousness and motor control
• this is all controlled by the reticular activating system (RAS)

Question 22

What would happen if the reticular formation is damaged?

Answer 22

A coma or even death

Question 23

What are the key structures in the hindbrain?

Answer 23

1. Cerebellum
2. Pons
3. Medulla Oblongata

Question 24

What are the functions of the cerebellum?

Answer 24

• involved in functions such as coordinating voluntary movements, balance, posture and movements associated with speech and vision
• involved in learning and memory where motor skills are important

Question 25

What would happen if the cerebellum was damaged?

Answer 25

damage to the cerebellum leads to balance issues, challenges associated with detecting visual motion and loss of muscle coordination

Question 26

What are the functions of the pons?

Answer 26

- acts as a ‘bridge’ connecting the cerebellum and cerebral cortex - involved in sleep, arousal, facial expressions and hearing.

Question 27

What would happen if the pons was damaged?

Answer 27

paralysis, difficulty with speech or swallowing, and sensory dysfunction

Question 28

What are the functions of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 28

involved in autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing, swallowing and sneezing

Question 29

What would happen if the medulla oblongata was damaged?

Answer 29

damage can cause death or severe health problems.

Question 30

What are the key structures in the forebrain?

Answer 30

1. Cerebrum 2. Thalamus 3. Hypothalamus

Question 31

What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 31

vital role in maintaining the body's internal environment by regulating release of hormones and influences various other behaviours

Question 32

What would happen if the hypothalamus was damaged?

Answer 32

damage can lead to issues controlling body temperature, feeling hungry after eating, sleeping problems and change in libido (sex drive)

Question 33

What are the functions of the thalamus?

Answer 33

- relay station in the brain for incoming sensory information (except smells) and for information from the cerebral cortex to lower brain structures; numerous other roles - the thalamus is connected to the reticular formation

Question 34

What would happen if the thalamus was damaged?

Answer 34

damage to the thalamus can cause coma, numbness, hypersensitivity, visual field loss and decreased taste, depending on which part is affected.

Question 35

The cerebrum is the biggest section of the brain, list what it is broken into.

Answer 35

1. Hemispheres 2. Lobes

Question 36

What connects the left and right hemisphere together?

Answer 36

Corpus callosum

Question 37

What does the left hemisphere control?

Answer 37

- language - writing - verbal functions - analytical functions - science - logic - sequential processing - mathematics - right side of body

Question 38

What does the right hemisphere control?

Answer 38

- recognition of faces - recognition of patterns - detection of emotions - expression of emotions - non verbal functions - perception - dance - spatial awareness - music appreciation - fantasy - sculpture - art appreciation - visualisation - left side of body

Question 39

What is hemispheric specialisation?

Answer 39

The idea that one hemisphere has specialised functions or exerts greater control over a particular function is called hemispheric specialisation.

Question 40

What is the cerebral cortex?

Answer 40

a thin layer that covers the cerebrum and is extensively folded

Question 41

The cerebral cortex is divided into four pairs of cortical lobes, name them

Answer 41

1. Frontal 2. Temporal 3. Parietal 4. Occipital

Question 42

What does the frontal lobe consists of?

Answer 42

1. Prefrontal cortex 2. Premotor cortex 3. Primary motor cortex 4. Broca’s area

Question 43

What does the frontal lobe do?

Answer 43

The frontal lobe is important for reasoning, planning, sequencing and executing of voluntary motor activity.

Question 44

What does the prefrontal cortex do?

Answer 44

The prefrontal cortex is involved in reasoning, problem-solving, emotional regulation, attention, symbolic thinking, and controlling behaviours.

Question 45

What does the premotor cortex do?

Answer 45

The premotor cortex receives planned motor sequences from the prefrontal cortex, prepares the sequence of movements and sends information to the primary motor cortex.

Question 46

What does the primary motor cortex do?

Answer 46

The primary motor cortex signals the skeletal muscles, controlling execution of voluntary movements. Muscles that require precise control (such as fingers) are controlled by a larger portion of the primary motor cortex.

Question 47

What does Broca’s area do?

Answer 47

Broca’s area is located in the left hemisphere only, and contributes to speech production by coordinating the relevant muscles and communicating with other areas of the brain involved in language.

Question 48

What does the temporal lobe consist of?

Answer 48

1. Wernicke’s area 2. Primary auditory cortex

Question 49

What does the temporal lobe do?

Answer 49

The temporal lobe is located above the ears and is involved in processing sounds, as well as memory, emotional responses to sensory information and visual perception (e.g., recognising faces).

Question 50

What does Wernicke’s area do?

Answer 50

Wernicke’s area is located in the left hemisphere only, and contributes to understanding the sounds involved in speech, connecting with Broca’s area.

Question 51

What does the primary auditory cortex do?

Answer 51

The primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe is involved in identifying and responding to sound.

Question 52

What does the occipital lobe consist of?

Answer 52

1. Primary visual cortex

Question 53

What does the occipital lobe do?

Answer 53

The occipital lobe plays a crucial role in vision.

Question 54

What does the primary visual cortex do?

Answer 54

- The primary visual cortex receives and processes information from visual sensory receptors in the retina of both eyes. - Information from the left side of each eye is processed by the right occipital lobe, and the right sides are processed by the left occipital lobe.

Question 55

What does the parietal lobe consist of?

Answer 55

1. Primary somatosensory cortex

Question 56

What does the parietal lobe do?

Answer 56

The parietal lobe is involved in spatial awareness, spatial reasoning, attention and processing somatosensory information.

Question 57

What does the primary somatosensory cortex do?

Answer 57

The primary somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobe receives and processes sensory information from the limbs, face and genitals.