B6 - Studying The Brain Flashcards
Give an example of what can be learned from studying patients with brain damage…
If an area at the back of the brain is damaged from a stroke and the person goes blind, this shows the area has something to do with vision.
How does electrical stimulation work. What does it show?
This involves pushing a tiny electrode into the tissue and giving it a zap of electricity. We can observe what this causes us to do and learn what these areas of the brain do. For example, if the motor area is stimulated, this causes muscle contraction and movement.
What does MRI stand for?
Magnetic resonance imaging
How does MRI work?
The scanner is a tube like machine. When a person is doing something like listening to music, scientists can use the scanner to find out what areas of the brain are active. The scanner produces very detailed images.
To remember something you have to…
Store and retrieve the information.
Short term memory lasts for…
A few seconds to a few hours. It’s used for information you’re thinking about at the moment.
Long term memory is…
Memory that was stored days, months, or years ago.
We are more likely to remember something if…
- the information contains a pattern.
- the information is associated with a strong stimulus such as bright light or smells.
- the information is repeated.
How does studying patients with brain damage work?
If a small part of the brain is damaged, the effect this had on the patient can reveal what the damaged area does.
Memory is…
The storage and retrieval of information.
Stimuli to help remember things can include…
- Colour
- Noises
- Light
- Smell
