Neuroscience Core Concepts(Pre-Reading)

Question 1

How many nerve cells, or neurons, does a human brain contain?

Answer 1

Roughly 86 billion neurons.

Question 2

Is it true that we only use a small fraction of our neurons?

Answer 2

False. We use all of the neurons in our brains.

Question 3

What forms the nervous system?

Answer 3

Neurons exchange electrical signals with thousands of other neurons to create the countless circuits that, along with the nerves throughout our bodies, form the nervous system.

Question 4

Name ALL the organisms that possess nervous systems similar to the human nervous system.

Answer 4

Roundworms, Fruit flies, Zebrafish, Salamandars, Mice, Monkeys

Question 5

What systems does the nervous system communicate with to keep our bodies in sync?

Answer 5

• Cardiovascular system
• Gastrointestinal system
• Immune system

Question 6

What is the estimated prevalence of neurological or psychiatric conditions worldwide?

Answer 6

One in four people.

Question 7

What are some examples of neurological or psychiatric conditions mentioned?

Answer 7

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Depression

Question 8

Fill in the blank: The human nervous system has evolved from much _______ beginnings.

Answer 8

[simpler]

Question 9

True or False: The nervous system is completely independent from other bodily systems.

Answer 9

False.

Question 10

What do these neurological and psychiatric problems often cause?

Answer 10

Financial and Social burdens

Question 11

What serves as the body’s command center? Why?

Answer 11

The brain; Neurons communicate with each other

The brain is responsible for controlling thoughts and actions through neuronal communication.

Question 12

How do neurons communicate with each other?

Answer 12

Using both electrical and chemical signals

Neurons relay messages throughout the body through these signals.

Question 13

What are the electrical signals created by sensory neurons called?

Answer 13

Action potentials

Action potentials are rapid electrical signals that travel down a neuron.

Question 14

What prevents electrical signals from crossing between two neurons?

Answer 14

The gap called a synapse

The synapse is the space where communication occurs between neurons.

Question 15

How does the electrical signal go from neuron to neuron if it can’t cross the gap?

Answer 15

The action potential is transformed into a chemical message that can cross the gap

The transformation occurs at the synapse for communication between neurons.

Question 16

What can trigger a second action potential in the receiving neuron?

Answer 16

The release of chemical messengers

Chemical messengers can convey the message onward or inhibit it.

Question 17

What happens to the synapse with repeated activity? Why is that important?

Answer 17

It grows stronger; The next message is more likely to get through.

A stronger synapse increases the likelihood of message transmission.

Question 18

How do neurons learn to pass on important messages? Why is that important?

Answer 18

Through repeated activity that strengthens synapses; The unimportant messages are ignored.

This process allows the brain to adapt and learn from experiences.

Question 19

True or False: Neurons can both transmit and inhibit messages.

Answer 19

True

Neurons can convey messages or blunt the transmission depending on the chemical messenger released.

Question 20

What are the circuits in your nervous system made up of?

Answer 20

Neurons

Question 21

What circuit carries signals from sense receptors to your brain?

Answer 21

Sensory Circuit

Question 22

What circuit sends commands to your muscles?

Answer 22

Motor circuits

Question 23

What do simple circuits carry out?

Answer 23

Automatic reflexes

Question 24

What higher-level activities require complex circuits?

Answer 24

Memory, decision-making, and perceiving the world

Question 25

When do all these circuits arise?

Answer 25

Before you’re born

Question 26

What directs neurons to assemble simple circuits in your developing brain?

Answer 26

Genes

Question 27

How do simple circuits become more complex?

Answer 27

Through changes from new experiences and environments

Question 28

When do changes in neurons and their connections primarily happen?

Answer 28

Mostly in childhood

Question 29

What continues to happen to the brain over your whole life?

Answer 29

Building a better brain

Question 30

Fill in the blank: Sensory circuits carry signals from sense receptors to your _______.

Answer 30

brain

Question 31

True or False: Motor circuits are responsible for carrying signals from sense receptors.

Answer 31

False

Question 32

What is the term used to describe the brain's ability to change?

Answer 32

Plasticity ## Footnote This term refers to the brain's ability to strengthen, weaken, or create new connections between neurons.

Question 33

What happens to the connections between neurons when you learn a new skill?

Answer 33

They strengthen or weaken, and new connections may be created ## Footnote This process allows the brain to adapt to new experiences.

Question 34

What is the significance of the brain's capacity to change?

Answer 34

It allows recovery from injury or disease by rerouting connections and potentially growing new neurons ## Footnote However, this process is typically slow.

Question 35

What occurs to neurons during the development of the human brain?

Answer 35

An excess of neurons is grown

Question 36

What is synaptic pruning?

Answer 36

The process of eliminating extra neurons early in life and keeping only necessary connections ## Footnote This occurs early in life as the brain develops.

Question 37

What can happen to unused neurons later in life?

Answer 37

They can wither away ## Footnote This underscores the importance of keeping the brain engaged.

Question 38

What types of activities help preserve neurons?

Answer 38

Physical and mental exercise ## Footnote Engaging in these activities is crucial for maintaining brain health.

Question 39

True or False: Most neurons in the brain are replaced throughout life.

Answer 39

False ## Footnote Most of the neurons you have at birth will stick around for the rest of your life.

Question 40

What ability does the brain have due to its interconnected neurons?

Answer 40

Understand the world, plan actions, and solve problems

Question 41

What does the brain require to understand the world effectively?

Answer 41

To incorporate all available information

Question 42

How does the brain create a picture of the world?

Answer 42

By combining information from all of the body’s senses

Question 43

What processes does the brain use to make sense of the assembled picture?

Answer 43

Inference and instinct

Question 44

What are emotions in the context of brain function and what do they do?

Answer 44

Value judgments that help the brain respond effectively to events

Question 45

How does the brain form memories?

Answer 45

By associating pictures with feelings

Question 46

What does the brain do with stored memories?

Answer 46

Learns from them and uses that knowledge in the future

Question 47

What other tool is required for the brain to predict future events, calculate your next move, and devise plans for future opportunities?

Answer 47

Imagination

Question 48

What is necessary for consciousness?

Answer 48

All brain activities function normally

Question 49

What do the brain's trillions of connections work together to do?

Answer 49

Understand the world, think about the future, and create...you

Question 50

Fill in the blank: The brain uses _______ to respond to events.

Answer 50

[emotions]

Question 51

True or False: The brain can only solve problems when it is not incorporating information from the senses.

Answer 51

False

Question 52

Does the brain make or use emotions?

Answer 52

BOTH

Question 53

What is one unique talent that makes humans special?

Answer 53

Our talent for talking

Question 54

How do humans communicate compared to other animals?

Answer 54

In ways that are far more complex(i.e seen with our ability to talk)

Question 55

What part of the human brain is primarily responsible for language? Why is it more amply wired for communication than animals?

Answer 55

Cerebral cortex; it's enormous and is brimming with neural circuits dedicated to language.

Question 56

What are the specific lobes of the cortex involved in language?

Answer 56

Temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes

Question 57

What do neurons in the cerebral cortex form to interpret language?

Answer 57

Circuits

Question 58

What processes do the language circuits in the brain perform?

Answer 58

Generate words, turn them into sounds, and understand sounds heard

Question 59

When are human brains primed to learn language?

Answer 59

From birth

Question 60

What does language endow humans with?

Answer 60

Thoughts and creativity

Question 61

What abilities does language provide us?

Answer 61

Trade ideas and information, share observations, and allow others to build on discoveries

Question 62

What has the development of language led to over time?

Answer 62

Human culture and inventions of modern society

Question 63

How much electricity does the human brain run on?

Answer 63

25 watts ## Footnote This is enough to power an LED light bulb.

Question 64

How many different types of neurons are there in the brain?

Answer 64

Nearly 10,000 different types ## Footnote This diversity contributes to the brain's complex functions.

Question 65

What drives us to understand our world from a very early age?

Answer 65

Curiosity ## Footnote Curiosity is a special ability arising from our complex brains.

Question 66

What has the study of neuroscience allowed us to learn about?

Answer 66

Individual neurons and their interactions ## Footnote This includes how they work at a molecular level.

Question 67

What can billions of neurons working together allow us to do?

Answer 67

Talk, learn, and imagine ## Footnote These are fundamental cognitive functions.

Question 68

What are some insights gained from neuroscience exploration?

Answer 68

Treatments for pain and Parkinson’s disease ## Footnote More treatments are being developed as research progresses.

Question 69

What psychological conditions is neuroscience helping to understand?

Answer 69

Depression and Alzheimer’s disease ## Footnote These conditions are revealing their secrets through research.

Question 70

True or False: Much remains to be learned about the brain.

Answer 70

True ## Footnote Ongoing research continues to uncover more about brain functions.

Question 71

Fill in the blank: The urge to scratch when we have an itch is __________.

Answer 71

irresistible ## Footnote This behavior is an example of brain function and response.

Question 72

How much do neurological and psychiatric conditions cost the U.S economy?

Answer 72

$1.5 Trillion

Question 73

What do neuroscientists study?

Answer 73

The biology of nerves and the brain, in both animals and humans

Question 74

Which medications has helped millions of patients beat the BACK-SYMPTOMS of parkinsons disease? When was this created?

Answer 74

L-Dopa; 1950's and 60's

Question 75

What class of drugs was created to treat depression? When? Give an example of one such drug?

Answer 75

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; 1990's; Prozac

Question 76

What is sometimes more useful than the actual brain to study the brain?

Answer 76

A petri dish

Question 77

What is a model of the developing human brain that scientists use to study how new cells are born called?

Answer 77

Neural Rosette

Question 78

What cells are at the center of the Rosette? What do they do?

Answer 78

Precursor Cells; They are specialized cells that create new neurons and glia by dividing themselves

Question 79

What is the red ring in a Rosette?

Answer 79

A visualization of the connections between these precursor cells.

Question 80

What is the green lines in the Rosette?

Answer 80

As they generate new neurons and glia, the newborn cells radiate out from the center of the rosette to the outer edge of the brain using the precursor cells as a scaffolding.