8.3 - The brain Flashcards
What is the outer layer of the brain called?
cortex
The cortex is composed of grey matter.
How many cerebral hemispheres is the cortex divided into?
two
Each hemisphere has distinct lobes.
What are the four lobes of each cerebral hemisphere?
- frontal lobe
- parietal lobe
- occipital lobe
- temporal lobe
Each lobe has specific functions.
What is located below the grey matter in the brain?
white matter
White matter is composed of myelinated nerve axons.
What connects the two cerebral hemispheres?
corpus callosum
The corpus callosum is made of white matter.
What can be studied to determine the functions of certain brain regions?
consequences of accidental brain damage
This can reveal the roles of different brain areas.
What can brain damage caused by a stroke affect?
- speaking
- understanding speech
- reading
- writing
Stroke can lead to various communication impairments.
What is the potential of neurons to change in structure and function called?
neural plasticity
This allows some patients to recover abilities after a stroke.
What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?
Decision making, reasoning, planning, consciousness of emotions, forming associations, primary motor context
The frontal lobe is crucial for higher cognitive functions and motor control.
Which lobe is responsible for processing auditory information?
Temporal lobe
The temporal lobe also plays a role in memory.
What functions are associated with the parietal lobe?
Orientation, movement, sensation, calculation, some types of recognition
The parietal lobe integrates sensory information from various modalities.
What is the primary role of the occipital lobe?
Visual processing
The occipital lobe contains the visual cortex, which interprets visual stimuli.
Fill in the blank: The _______ lobe is involved in decision making and reasoning.
frontal
The frontal lobe is essential for executive functions.
True or False: The temporal lobe is involved in memory processing.
True
Memory functions are largely associated with the temporal lobe.
What type of information does the parietal lobe process?
Sensation and movement
It helps in spatial awareness and navigation.
Fill in the blank: The _______ lobe is primarily responsible for visual perception.
occipital
Visual stimuli are processed in the occipital lobe.
What is the function of the corpus callosum?
Connects the two hemispheres of the brain
The corpus callosum facilitates communication between the left and right hemispheres.
Which structures does the corpus callosum connect?
Connects lower structures to cerebrum
This includes connections to various subcortical structures.
What is the role of the hippocampus?
Long-term memory pathways and memory retrieval
The hippocampus is crucial for forming and retrieving memories.
What does the basal ganglia control?
Controls movement and motor functions
The basal ganglia are involved in the regulation of voluntary motor movements.
What hormones are produced by the anterior pituitary gland?
FSH, LH, and oxytocin
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and oxytocin are key hormones in reproduction and other functions.
What is the primary function of the cerebellum?
Balance and movement coordination
The cerebellum is essential for maintaining posture and coordinating voluntary movements.
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
Thermoregulation and appetite control
The hypothalamus helps regulate body temperature and hunger signals.
What hormone does the hypothalamus produce related to water balance?
ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)
ADH helps regulate water retention in the kidneys.
What processes does the medulla oblongata control?
Unconscious processes
The medulla oblongata regulates vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat.
What technology do MRI scans use to produce images?
Uses magnets and radio waves to produce images on a computer
What is the primary function of functional MRI (fMRI) scans?
Tracks biocompatibility and brain activity by measuring changes in blood flow
List three advantages of MRI scans.
- Better at showing soft tissue and organs
- Better resolution than other scans
- Non-invasive
List three disadvantages of MRI scans.
- Expensive
- Can be noisy
- Claustrophobic
What is a key advantage of functional MRI scans?
Can study human emotions and brain activity
True or False: MRI scans expose patients to radiation.
False
Fill in the blank: fMRI scans provide _______ spatial resolution.
[good]
What is a disadvantage of fMRI scans?
Can be expensive and noisy
What type of tissues are MRI scans particularly good at differentiating?
Soft tissues and organs
How do CT scans produce an image?
Narrow beam of x-rays rotated around the patient, with signal rejected based upon density of tissue. Thin slices of brain are put together.
CT scans utilize x-ray technology to create detailed images of the body’s internal structures.
What are the advantages of CT scans?
- Can monitor development of a disease
- More detail than an x-ray
CT scans provide more comprehensive imaging, which aids in tracking disease progression.
What are the disadvantages of CT scans?
- Uses radiation
- Only captures a slice of the brain
- Resolution issues
The use of radiation and potential resolution issues can limit CT scan effectiveness.
How do PET scans produce an image?
Person injected with radioactive tracer, which emits positrons that collide with electrons, resulting in gamma waves that are detected.
PET scans are used to observe metabolic processes in the body.
What are the advantages of PET scans?
- Less sensitive to motion artifacts
- Good for diagnosing Alzheimer’s
- Can show impact of cancer treatment
- Provides a 3D image
PET scans are particularly effective for assessing brain function and cancer treatment outcomes.
What are the disadvantages of PET scans?
- Uses radiation
- Expensive
The cost and radiation exposure are significant considerations when opting for PET scans.
where does the optic nerve extend to?
à part of the thalamus, the primary visual cortex and midbrain
