lecture 2 Flashcards
(33 cards)
define neuroanantomy?
the study of the structure and the function of the brain (brain, brainstem, nervous system)
Is plasticity important for memory?
yes
what are Neurons?
cells, specialized to create, receive, and transmit information in the nervous system
what are the three things that a neutron has?
dendrites, cell bodies, and axons
define dendrite?
Dendrites receive info from nearby cells
define cell bodies?
contains the charge and the electrical info / it holds the info and is also known to be as a signal
define axons?
Axon is the branch that communicates to the other cells
define synapse?
space between axon of one neuron and dendrite or cell body of another
There are more neurons in your body than there are stars in the galaxy
define sulci?
a series of infoldings or crevices in between gyri
define gyri?
a series of bumps or ridges of cortex containing neurons; maximizes surface of brain
define fissures?
deep sulci are called fissures
what does the occipital lobe do?
Processes visual input from the eyes and from memory
why is the occipital lobe so far from the eyes?
Protection
Efficient wiring
what does the temporal lobe do?
when it is damaged, it is hard to process language
processes auditory input
posterior region of left temporal lobe (Wernicke’s area) crucial for comprehending language
what does the parietal lobe do?
Right part of the brain is for your left side of the body and vice versa
Sensory and spatial abilities
includes recollective qualities of memory (“attention to memory”)
what does the frontal lobe do?
Regulating emotions and behaviour
major role in producing speech (Broca’s area)
involved in memory encoding, retrieval, planning and reasoning, affective processing
What are the four parts in the limbic system?
Thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala
what’s the thalamus?
relay of sensory and motor signals
what’s the hypothalamus?
involved in regulating hormones (cortisol) and homeostatic function
what’s the hippocampus?
plays a major role in learning and memory as well spatial navigation
like HM, cant have any long term memories
what’s the amygdala?
emotional response to stimuli, behaviours.
Threat detection.
when you’re having a very emotional event in your life, you remember it better cause it was closer to the hippocampus
for Maguire et al. 2000, what’s the name of the test taxi drivers must do?
the knowledge
what’s a Positron emission tomography (PET)?
Radioactive compounds are injected into the bloodstream
Images are formed based on the information obtained from these sensors
Compound may reflect blood flow, oxygen or dopamine concentration
Images are shown in colour scale
what are the drawbacks for PET?
Need for radioactive reagents (repeated scans can be dangerous)
Costly to prepare materials
