Module 1 - The Brain

Question 1

parts of a neuron

Answer 1

1. dendrites: receive information from other cells in the form of neurotransmitters
2. soma: cell body
3. axon: long, thin fibre
4. myelin sheath: insulating layer
5. terminal buttons: release neurotransmitters

Question 2

what is the function of myelin?

Answer 2

insulates the neuron and allows for faster conduction of neurotransmitters along the axon

Question 3

what is long-term potentiation?

Answer 3

• “neurons that fire together wire together”

- results in an increase in dendrite receptors, postsynaptic sensitivity, and a number of synaptic vesicles

Question 4

what are the roles of glutamate and NMDA receptors in long-term potentiation?

Question 5

peripheral nervous system

Answer 5

PNS

• all of the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord
• sensory and motor functions

Question 6

autonomic nervous system vs somatic nervous system

Answer 6

autonomic nervous system: automatic, involuntary muscle movement and functioning
somatic nervous system: sensation and voluntary movement

Question 7

what does the central nervous system consist of?

Answer 7

• the brain and spinal cord
• meninges
• cerebrospinal fluid

Question 8

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Answer 8

• way of measuring electrical changes in the brain
• high temporal resolution
• poor spatial resolution
• non-invasive

Question 9

Computerized tomography (CT)

Answer 9

• multiple x-rays
• high spatial resolution
• still images - not showing function
• uses a fairly large amount of radiation

Question 10

positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 10

• radioactively tagged contrast, picked up on x-rays
• measures blood flow
• high spatial resolution
• poor temporal resolution

Question 11

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer 11

• measures blood flow
• high spatial resolution
• poor to moderate temporal resolution
• can’t be used on people with ferrous metal in their body

Question 12

Lesions

Answer 12

• destruction of a part of the brain (either controlled or accidental)
• invasive and permanent

Question 13

transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Answer 13

• temporary virtual lesions
• uses a magnetic field that changes the activity of the underlying neurons
• only used for the outmost layer of the brain

Question 14

electrical stimulation

Answer 14

• treatment for epilepsy

- has mapped many functions of the brain

Question 15

what do dissociations play an important role in?

Answer 15

determining how two functions are related

Question 16

what are the components of the hindbrain?

Answer 16

• cerebellum
• medulla
• pons
• reticular formation

Question 17

functions of the cerebellum

Answer 17

• fine muscle movement

- balance

Question 18

functions of the medulla

Answer 18

• blood circulation
• breathing
• muscle tone
• reflexes (sneezing, coughing, salivating)

Question 19

functions of the pons

Answer 19

• sleep

- arousal

Question 20

functions of the reticular formation

Answer 20

• sleep

- arousal

Question 21

location of the midbrain

Answer 21

part of the brain stem, above the hindbrain

Question 22

functions of the midbrain

Answer 22

• reflexive behaviours

Question 23

components of the midbrain and their functions

Answer 23

• superior and inferior colliculi (integrating sensory processes)
• substantia nigra (releases dopamine)

Question 24

what are the components of the forebrain?

Answer 24

• limbic system
• cerebrum
• thalamus
• hypothalamus
• basal ganglia
• amygdala
• hippocampus

Question 25

functions of the thalamus

Answer 25

- relay station for sensory information | - integration of sensory information

Question 26

functions of the hypothalamus

Answer 26

- control of autonomic nervous system | - regulation of basic biological drives (fighting, fleeing, feeding, mating)

Question 27

functions of the basal ganglia

Answer 27

- smooth, coordinated movement | - associative learning

Question 28

functions of the limbic system

Answer 28

- regulation of emotion, memory, and motivation

Question 29

functions of the amygdala

Answer 29

- basic emotional responses (fear, happiness, etc) - emotional learning - aggressive behaviour

Question 30

functions of the hippocampus

Answer 30

- formation and consolidation of memories

Question 31

functions of the cerebral cortex

Answer 31

- learning - remembering - thinking - consciousness

Question 32

function of the corpus callosum

Answer 32

connects the left and right hemispheres

Question 33

what is the left hemisphere responsible for?

Answer 33

- verbal processing - speech - reading - writing

Question 34

what is the right hemisphere responsible for?

Answer 34

- nonverbal processing - spatial tasks - music - visual recognition

Question 35

hemispheric asymmetry

Answer 35

- right hemisphere is heavier and longer | - left hemisphere's cortex is thicker

Question 36

functions of the primary visual cortex

Answer 36

- receives input from the thalamus | - processes, projects to other regions of the occipital lobe

Question 37

function of the dorsal stream in the primary visual cortex

Answer 37

guidance of movement

Question 38

function of the ventral stream in the primary visual cortex

Answer 38

object perception

Question 39

functions of the parietal lobe

Answer 39

- spatial relationships | - object recognition

Question 40

functions of the temporal lobe

Answer 40

- auditory processing | - language comprehension (Wernicke's Area)

Question 41

what are the components of the frontal lobe?

Answer 41

- prefrontal cortex (higher-order functions and executive control) - primary motor cortex - Broca's Area