8. Behavioural Neuroscience: Models of the mind & the organisation of the Nervous System Flashcards
3 important findings from comparative neuroanatomy
- size doesn’t matter - intelligence not proportional to brain size
- number count - more neurons = greater # of synaptic connections b/w neurons = ^ complexity of func brain can supports
- brain supports func specialisation - animals for particular skill types have relatively larger brain areas dedicated for that func
what are the 2 brain simulation projects
- Allen Brain Institute
- The Human Brain Project
desc the Allen Brain Institute
create v detailed maps/atlas w/ data from mouse & human brain (brain areas to neurons to genes)
- discover exactly how many neurons
- compile pics of real brains & measurements
- for anyone to access for research
desc the Human Brain Project
GOAL: to understand what each neuron is doing & create completely virtual functioning brain (simulate it)
- reduce need for animal exp
- study diseases in silico exp
- improve validation of data & exp w/ computational validation
what are the divisions of the nervous system?
CNS & PNS
PNS: Somatic & Autonomic
Autonomic: Enteric, Sympathetic & Parasympathetic
Sym & Parasym communicate w/ Enteric
Somatic & Enteric comm
desc the CNS
- brain (retinal cells in eye) & spinal cord
- brain encased by skull, spinal cord sits w/in vertebrae (protection & flexibility when body moves)
desc the PNS
- cranial & spinal nerves (extend from CNS throughout body)
- sends messages from brain to control muscle movement
- receives sensory info abt body position, pain, temp & transmit to CNS
Desc Somatic Nervous System SNS (sub div PNS)
- receives sensory info from sensory organs
- controls skeletal muscle movement
- efferent & afferent cranial nerves
- incl spinal nerves (sensory & motor pathways) that extend thru vertebrae
what do efferent nerve fibres do?
send signals from brain to muscle
what do afferent nerve fibres do
send signals from peripheral sensory areas to communicate from sense modalities back to brain
(opp of efferent)
Desc the Autonomic Nervous System ANS (sub div PNS)
connects (mediates) central system to NON-VOLUNTARY muscles & glands (smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glands)
components: parasympathetic, sympathetic & enteric nervous system
desc Parasympathetic Nervous system (PNS)
dominates when body is in “rest & digest” mode
calming: preps body for restoration of energy
desc sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
dominates during times or stress/threat, “fight or flight” mode
arousing: preps body for activity, uses energy
desc the Enteric Nervous system (ENS)
Gut & gastrointestinal:
- contains 100 mil neurons
- has own reflexes & senses, can act INDP from brain (only part of PNS that can act autonomously)
- major role in emotions & stress
- 90% of connections b/w brain & gut go from gut > brain
- nearly every neurotransmitter found in brain ALSO FOUND IN GUT
