The Brain and Behaviour

Question 1

What is lesioning?

Answer 1

Lesioning involves destroying a piece of the brain.

Question 2

What is electrical stimulation of the brain? (ESB)

Answer 2

electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB), which involves sending a
weak electric current into a brain structure to stimulate (activate) it.

Question 3

What research methods are used in neuroscience?

Answer 3

Question 4

What is an electroencphalogram (EEG)?

Answer 4

1. Recodring of the electrical activity of the brain

Question 6

What is evoked potential? 3

Answer 6

1. Artifical stimulation of the sensory fibers, that in consequence, produce electrical activity in central and peripheral pathways and also primary receptive areas.
2. Recorded with an EEG
3. Tests the integrity of sensory pathways from end-organ to cerebral cortex

Question 7

Describe electrical stimulation of the brain. 4

Answer 7

1. Artificial electrical stimulation
2. Allows for brain mapping
3. Applications in therapeutics: targeted stimulation
4. Surgical application

Question 8

Describe transmagnetic stimulation. 2

Answer 8

1. Consists of the use of rapidly changing magnetic fields to induce electric fields in the brain by electromagnetic induction.
2. Therapeutic application

Question 9

Describe X-ray 2

Answer 9

1. Electromagnetic vibratios of very short wavelength absorbed by high-density tissue (such as bone and metal) (2D)
2. Good for assessing the skull

Question 10

Describe the computed tomography scane (CT) 6

Answer 10

1. Scans the head with a narrow beam of X-rays, which allows the transmission of X-ray photos in the layer to be measured
2. The X-ray beam moves in a circle around the head, allowing different views.
3. The X-ray information is sent to a computer that interprets the X-ray data and dsiplays it in a 2D form on the monitor
4. Standard cuts are made at successive levels
5. Good to assess morphology of the brain
6. Much more sensitive than an X-ray

Question 11

Describe photon emission tomography (PET) 2

Answer 11

1. 3D imaging of the distribution of radioactively labelled contrast agent that attaches to a particular substanc e(e.g. glucose, oxygen)
2. The study of biochemical functions helps detecting disease before changes in the anatomy become apparent

Question 12

Describe magenetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3

Answer 12

1. Based on the absorbtion and emission of radiofrequency energy
2. The hydrogen nucleus of the cell generates alterations in a magnetic field that can be measured
3. Frequency is specific to each molecule (bone, blood, brain tissue)

Question 13

Describe functional magentic resonance imaging (FMRI) 2

Answer 13

1. Information from oxygenated blood is useful to see the brain working (BOLD effect: Blood-oxygen-level-dependant)
2. More used in research than in clinical context: mapping the brain

Question 14

Describe diffuse tension imaging (DTI) 2

Answer 14

1. Measures microscopic movement of water in the brain
2. Can be used to evaluate the integrity of white matter in the brain (pathways)

Question 16

Why is an EEG useful?

Answer 16

It is useful to investigate epilepsy: disruption of the electrical activity of the brain

Question 17

What does the cerebrum do?

Answer 17

Responsible for:

1. sensing,
2. thinking,
3. learning,
4. emotion,
5. consciousness,
6. and voluntary movement

Question 18

What does the corpus callosum do?

Answer 18

Bridge of fibers passing
information between the
two cerebral hemispheres

Question 19

What does the thalamus do?

Answer 19

Relay center for cortex;
handles incoming and
outgoing signals

Question 20

What does the cerebellum do?

Answer 20

Structure that co-ordinates fine muscle movement, balance

Question 21

What is the reticular formation?

Answer 21

Group of fibers that
carry stimulation
related to sleep and
arousal through
brainstem

Question 22

What does the spinal cord do?

Answer 22

Responsible for transmitting information
between brain and rest of body; handles
simple reflexes

Question 23

What does the medulla do?

Answer 23

Responsible for regulating
largely unconscious
functions such as breathing
and circulation

Question 24

What does the pons do?

Answer 24

Involved in sleep
and arousal

Question 25

What does the hippocampus do?

Answer 25

Part of limbic system involved
in learning and memory

Question 26

What does the pituitary gland do?

Answer 26

“Master” gland that regulates
other endocrine glands

Question 27

What does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 27

Responsible for regulating basic biological needs: hunger, thirst, temperature control

Question 28

What does the amygdala do?

Answer 28

Part of limbic system involved in emotion and aggression

Question 29

What structures make up the hindbrain?

Answer 29

The hindbrain includes the cerebellum and two structures found in the lower part of the brainstem: the medulla and the pons.

Question 30

What structures are found in the midbrain?

Answer 30

consists of the tegmentum, tectum, and cerebral peduncles. Responsible for the production of dopamine, which regulates habituation and motivation. Also plays a role in vision and hearing.

Question 31

What structure make up the forebrain?

Answer 31

The forebrain is the largest and most complex region of the brain, encompassing a variety of structures, including the 1. thalamus, 2. hypothalamus, 3. limbic system, 4. and cerebrum.

Question 32

Why is the thalamus a relay station?

Answer 32

The thalamus is a structure in the forebrain through which all sensory information (except smell) must pass to get to the cerebral cortex. The thalamus also appears to play an active role in integrating information from various senses.

Question 33

What is the limbic system?

Answer 33

The limbic system is a loosely connected network of structures located roughly along the border between the cerebral cortex and deeper subcortical areas. Includes parts of the thalamus and hypothalamus, the hippocampus, the amygdala, and other nearby structures. The limbic system also appears to contain emotion-tinged “pleasure centers.”

Question 34

Briefly describe the occipital lobe.

Answer 34

The occipital lobe, at the back of the head, includes the cortical area where most visual signals are sent and visual processing is begun. This area is called the primary visual cortex.

Question 35

Briefly describe the parietal lobe.

Answer 35

The parietal lobe is forward of the occipital lobe. It includes the area that registers the sense of touch, called the primary somatosensory cortex. Various sections of this area receive signals from different regions of the body. The parietal lobe is also involved in integrating visual input and in monitoring the body’s position in space.

Question 36

Briefly describe the temporal lobe.

Answer 36

The temporal lobe (meaning “near the temples”) lies below the parietal lobe. Near its top, the temporal lobe contains an area devoted to auditory processing, the primary auditory cortex.

Question 37

Briefly describe the frontal lobe.

Answer 37

The frontal lobe, the largest lobe in the human brain. It contains the principal areas that control the movement of muscles, the primary motor cortex. An area just forward of the primary motor cortex is where “mirror neurons” were first discovered accidentally in the mid-1990s.

Question 38

What are mirror neurons?

Answer 38

mirror neurons—neurons that are activated by performing an action or by seeing another monkey or person perform the same action.

Question 39

Research has gradually demonstrated that the anatomical structure and functional organization of the brain are more flexible, or “plastic,” than widely assumed. Explain this.

Answer 39

1. First, studies have shown that aspects of experience can sculpt features of brain structure. 2. Second, research has shown that damage to incoming sensory pathways or the destruction of brain tissue can lead to neural reorganization. 3. Third, studies now indicate that the adult brain can generate new neurons