AOS2- Sac 2

Question 1

When is the brain at around 90-95% adult size?

Answer 1

6 years

Question 2

When does synaptogenesis take place?

Answer 2

Before birth

Question 3

What is synaptogenesis?

Answer 3

Involves the formation of new synapses is the place where neighbouring neurons connect and communicate

Question 4

What happens when neural connections are repeatedly used?

Answer 4

They strengthen

Question 5

When do the two bursts of myelination occur?

Answer 5

Shortly after birth and during adolescence

Question 6

What is the last brain area to reach maturity?

Answer 6

Prefrontal cortex

Question 7

The case study of Phineas Gage demonstrates the effects of brain injury to the cortex in the…?

Answer 7

Frontal lobe

Question 8

Spatial neglect is most commonly associated with damage in the…?

Answer 8

Parietal lobe

Question 9

Most symptoms of Parkinson’s disease result from…?

Answer 9

Depleted amounts of dopamine in the substantia nigra

Question 10

What is Parkinson’s disease best described as?

Answer 10

A central nervous system disorder

Question 11

What is a synapse?

Answer 11

The place where neurons communicate

Question 12

The process of eliminating synaptic connections is called…?

Answer 12

Synaptic pruning

Question 13

When a brain area assumes or ‘ takes over ‘ the function of an adjacent damaged brain area, this is best described as…?

Answer 13

Adaptive plasticity

Question 14

A brain injury due to neural degeneration has…?

Answer 14

Gradual onset

Question 15

Brain maturation is generally complete by the end of…?

Answer 15

Early adulthood

Question 16

Explain the meaning of neurodegenerative in relation to brain injury.

Answer 16

Characterised by the progressive decline in the structure, activity and function of the brain tissue.

Question 17

Explain the difference between a brain injury and a head injury

Answer 17

Brain injury refers to any brain damage that impairs or interferes with normal functions. Whereas head injury is an injury to the skull.

Question 18

Describe a potential biological change caused by prefrontal cortex injury.

Answer 18

Trouble with overall level of motor activity

Question 19

Describe a potential psychological change caused by prefrontal cortex injury.

Answer 19

Emotion and personality changes

Question 20

Describe a potential social change caused by prefrontal cortex injury

Answer 20

Difficulty establishing and maintaining new relationships

Question 21

Describe some characteristics of general pattern of brain growth and injury.

Answer 21

Development of myelin
Synaptic pruning
Hindbrain, midbrain then forebrain

Question 22

Name and describe two processes other then genes and maturation that contribute to growth of brain size

Answer 22

Myelination - growth and development of white, fatty, substance around axons

Synaptogenesis - formation of new synapses between brain neurons

Question 23

Describe a potential benefit of studying changes in patients with cerebral cortex damage.

Answer 23

The ability to discover the functions of damaged part of brain

Question 24

When are the periods of rapid development in changes of brain structure and functions?

Answer 24

Infancy and early childhood.

Question 25

Explain why an immature or underdeveloped prefrontal cortex in adolescence is believed to contribute to poor decision making and impulsive behaviour.

Answer 25

Due,to it being the last part of the brain to mature. Prefrontal cortex is associated with reason and good judgements and isn’t fully developed until the age of 25.

Question 26

Explain the meaning of adaptive plasticity in relationship to the brain

Answer 26

Refers to the ability of the brain to compensate for lost functions and/or to maximise remaining functions in event of brain injury

Question 27

When during the lifespan is adaptive plasticity more likely to assist in recovery from brain injury? Explain

Answer 27

Quicker and more substantial in infancy and childhood because as we grow older we gradually lose the ability to compensate for damage.

Question 28

Give examples of naturally occurring neural mechanisms that assists recovery from brain injury through adaptive plasticity.

Answer 28

Rerouting - an undamaged neuron that has lost connection with an active neuron may seek a new active neuron and connect with it instead

Sprouting - is the growth of additional branches on axons or dendrites to enable new connections

Question 29

Give an example of a type of study on Parkinson’s disease that may be conducted using a neuroimaging technique.

Answer 29

PET and fMRI due to showing both brain structure and activity

Question 30

What is an assumption underlying animal studies on Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 30

That causes and treatments will be similar in both animal and humans because of the similarly in brain structure and functions

Question 31

Give one example of a research finding from animal studies that improved understanding or treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 31

Dopamine played a role in the control of voluntary movements and was linked to Parkinson’s disease

Question 32

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 32

Progressive neurological disorder characterised by motor and non motor symptoms.

Question 33

Name two motor and two non motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Answer 33

Tremor and slow movements ( motor )

Sexual and visual difficulties ( non - motor )

Question 34

What is special neglect?

Answer 34

Neurological disorder whereby individuals are unable to notice anything either on their left or right side

Question 35

What is brain plasticity?

Answer 35

The ability of the brain to change in response to experience

Question 36

What are functions of the temporal lobe?

Answer 36

Facial recognition
Understanding language
Learning and memory

Question 37

What is “ use it or lose it? “

Answer 37

If you learn something new. A new connection is formed but if you don’t use this connection or task for a while you will forget or ‘ lose ‘ that connection.