History of Neuroscience

Question 1

Define neuroscience

Answer 1

The study of the function and structures of the nervous system

Question 2

What is behaviour?

Answer 2

The observable actions of humans and animals

Question 3

What limits changes to our understanding of the brain?

Answer 3

Religious/moral views, methodological limitations, serendipity (reliance on chance discoveries), scientific conservatism

Question 4

What did Hippocrates do?

Answer 4

Proposed that the brain controls the body.

Question 5

What did Rene Descartes do?

Answer 5

Was the first to discuss interactions between the mental and the physical.

Question 6

What did Luigi Galvani do?

Answer 6

First to suggest that nerve signals were electrical.

Question 7

What did Paul Boca and Carl Wernicke do?

Answer 7

Discovered that certain parts of the brain were responsible for certain functions. Noticed that those missing parts of the brain couldn’t do certain things.

Question 8

How much does the adult brain weigh?

Answer 8

1.4 kg

Question 9

How much of the body’s resources does the brain use?

Answer 9

20%