Mind V. Brain Flashcards
Dualism
Philosophy of mind
The idea that there is no physical basis for consciousness
Mind and body are two different things
Descartes
Philosopher– dualism
Physicalism
Everything has a foundation in the physical world
Francis Crick– cofounder of DNA double helix; first thought tRNA as adaptor molecule (1950s, 69s, 70s)
Wrote “Astonishing Hypothesis”: observation– biochemical reactions in brain
What does the brain do?
- Receives signals
- Processes information
- Sends signals
Brain v computer
Electrons move faster through copper than human tissue
However, brain is 1 billion times better: each cell can make its own decisions ( a computer cannot process that much info at once because on, ya certain number if chords can make their own decisions
How?
1. Modular–many compounds that all come together (if one part breaks you can replace that one part)
2. Connected– all parts are interconnected
Plasticity: form/shape new connections, lose old ones
Individuality: impossible to map the brain out because it is a little different
Human brain
You use all of your brain
People are either left brained or right brained
100 billion neurons
There are 1,000-10,000 synapses for a “typical” neuron (so 1,000,000(1,00010,000))= number or synapses
Neurons multiply at a rate of 250,000 neurons/minute during pregnancy
Done growing when you are 18 but can still make new connections
Brain uses 20% of your body’s energy (glucose=only source of energy hat brain uses)
Cerebrospinal fluid
Functions:
- buoyancy
- protection (absorbs shock)
- chemical stability (can hold onto some oxygen/glucose)
- pressure regulation (should have 150 mL usually, if brain swells can decrease fluid)
Right and left hemispheres of the brain
Control opposite side of body
Look similar but have very different neurons/neurochemistry, even between individuals
Connected at corpus callosum– tight bundle of nerve fibers that send signals between left and right
Corpus callosum
tight bundle of nerve fibers that send signals between left and right
Ventricles
Empty space in your head where fluid goes
Efficient exchange of info
Alzheimer’s– more ventricles, less neuronal tissue
Hindbrain and brain stem
Basic vital functions: breathing, heartbeat; relays signals
Cerebellum
Motor control Doesn't initiate movement but does regular,tell coordination, precision, and timing Motor learning (muscle memory) Usually where neurodegenerative diseases end, lose functions, and die
Midbrain
Control vision, hearing, sleep/wake cycle, temperature regulation, reward/addiction, and movement
Substantia Nigra– Parkinson’s
Main dooaminergic losing neurons
Dopamine v serotonin
Dopamine pathways functions:
- reward (motivation)
- pleasure, euphoria
- motor function (fine tuning)
- compulsion
Serotonin pathways functions:
- mood
- memory processing
- sleep
- cognition
Forebrain
Thalamus: relay signals between cerebrum and midbrain (sensory and motor); levels if consciousness (sleeping or unconsciousness)
Hypothalamus: master regulator of hormones in body
Thalamus
Forebrain
relay signals between cerebrum and midbrain (sensory and motor)
Levels of consciousness (sleeping or unconsciousness)
Hypothalamus
Forebrain
Master regulator of hormones opinion body
Frontal lobe
Tons of conscious thinking About 90% of dopamine in cerebrum is here Morality Thinking about words Long term memory
Parietal lobe
Takes in sensory info and gives us a higher sense of where we are (directions, spacially aware)
Occipital lobe
Dedicated to vision
Damage -> hallucinations
Temporal lobe
Important for long term visual memory and for language comprehension
PET scan
Position emission tomography
Requires tracer molecules (dyes)
Radioactive elements
-carbon (glucose) or oxygen-- can pass through blood brain barrier
Difficult to do
Maps brain activityFunctioning magnetic resonance imaging
Uses radio waves to analyze blood flow (increased blood flow=more active)
No tracer molecules
Map blood flow in the brain during different activities
Patients can do different things
Memory
Process in which info is encoded, stored, and retrieved
