models of mind and divisions Flashcards
(16 cards)
What are some aspects of the human brain that are common across animal species?
Many brain structures and processes are evolutionarily conserved across species.
Even simple organisms like fruit flies (Drosophila) display similar patterns of sleep and anaesthesia.
These species are used to model human neurological diseases due to shared biological mechanisms.
What does comparative neuroanatomy reveal about intelligence and brain size?
Intelligence is not directly proportional to brain size.
It’s more closely related to the number of neurons and synapses, which enables complex functioning.
Functional specialization is key—brain areas enlarge based on species-specific skills (e.g., spatial memory in birds that cache food).
How does comparative psychology support evolutionary links between species?
Charles Darwin argued that human emotions and behaviour have evolutionary roots.
Similar visual illusions affect both humans and other animals, suggesting shared perceptual systems.
These findings support the idea that cognitive and behavioural traits evolved from common ancestors.
What is the Allen Brain Institute, and what does it do?
Established through a $100 million donation by Paul Allen.
Creates detailed brain maps of both mice and humans.
Maps link brain areas → neurons → gene expression, advancing understanding of brain structure and function.
What is the Human Brain Project (HBP), and what are its goals?
A 10-year, $1+ billion EU-funded initiative.
Aims to simulate neurons and brain function using supercomputers (“brain on a chip”).
Key goals:
Reduce animal testing through in silico experiments.
Study neurological diseases computationally.
Develop AI systems inspired by brain architecture.
Why is replicating the brain or mind scientifically challenging?
No existing project has created a complete, accurate simulation of the brain or consciousness.
Even simple organisms like C. elegans (only 302 neurons) cannot be fully simulated in a way that replicates their actual behaviour or mental states.
Challenges include:
Complexity of neuronal interactions
Lack of complete data on synaptic connections and brain chemistry
Limits of current computing power and models
What ethical debates arise around simulating the brain or using animal models?
Raises the question: If we replicate a brain, do we also replicate a mind or consciousness?
Ethical issues include:
AI consciousness – Should advanced artificial systems have rights?
Animal experimentation – Is it morally acceptable to use animals in neuroscience research?
These debates challenge how we define sentience, personhood, and responsibility in science.
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
The nervous system is divided into the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
What structures are included in the CNS?
The CNS consists of the brain (including the retina) and the spinal cord, both protected by the skull and vertebrae.
What is the role of the Peripheral Nervous System?
The PNS connects the CNS to the rest of the body and includes the somatic and autonomic systems. It enables voluntary movement, sensory perception, and involuntary control of organs.
What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?
It controls voluntary muscle movement and sensory input, using cranial and spinal nerves to relay information to and from the CNS.
What is the autonomic nervous system and its subdivisions?
The autonomic system regulates involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion. It has three subdivisions:
Sympathetic: Activates “fight or flight” responses (driven by noradrenaline).
Parasympathetic: Promotes “rest and digest” functions (driven by acetylcholine).
Enteric Nervous System (ENS): A “second brain” in the gut, containing ~100 million neurons and influencing both digestion and emotion.
What functional roles do the CNS and PNS play in behaviour and regulation?
The CNS integrates sensory information and coordinates both voluntary and involuntary responses.
The PNS enables:
Somatic control: e.g., voluntary movement, vision via the optic nerve.
Autonomic control:
Sympathetic: Increases alertness (e.g., dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat).
Parasympathetic: Supports recovery and digestion (e.g., slower heartbeat).
ENS: Manages digestion and connects closely with emotional processing.
What is the ENS and why is it called the “second brain”?
The Enteric Nervous System operates semi-autonomously in the gastrointestinal system, containing ~100 million neurons. It communicates bidirectionally with the brain and regulates digestion. About 90% of gut-to-brain signals travel this route, supporting the gut-brain axis.
What is the hierarchical organization of the nervous system?
The hierarchy follows this structure:
Nervous System → CNS and PNS → Somatic/Autonomic (PNS) → Sympathetic, Parasympathetic, ENS
Which major figures contributed to the early study of comparative neuroanatomy and brain function?
Charles Darwin (1872): Proposed evolutionary links between human and animal behaviour in The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.
Carlson & Birkett (2016): Provided foundational textbook material on nervous system divisions and functions.
