BIO AND COG WEEK 1

Question 1

How much does the Human brain weigh?

Answer 1

• 3 pounds (1.4kg)

Question 2

Describe the brain surface area?

Answer 2

• surface area of our brains has increased in size- seen in the convolutions ( gyri and sulci) in our cerebral cortex compared to other animals.

Question 3

how are humans brains different to animal brains?

Answer 3

• In more intelligent animals cortex is bigger

- in animals they rely heavily on smell, the olfactory bulb is relatively larger

Question 4

what are Encephalisation Quotient?

Answer 4

• Humans have a greater ratio of brain weight to body weight than other animals

Question 5

What is brain size is restricted by pelvis shape?

Answer 5

• birth canal size is restricted by the fact that we walk on 2 legs

Question 6

what is the hemisphere connected by?

Answer 6

• corpus callosum

- 200 million neurons cross this bridge between the hemispheres

Question 7

how many neurons are surrounded in grey and white matter?

Answer 7

• 87 billion neurons , surrounded by about the same number of glial cells

Question 8

what is the Brainstem and Cerebellum?

Answer 8

medulla- Various essential, reflexive actions such as vomiting, balance respiration rate and heart rate

Cerebellum- Execution of motor actions also involved in cognitive processes such as attention and sequencing

Question 9

Networks involved in language?

Answer 9

• Broca’s area - involved of production of speech sound
  Wernicke’s area- involved in understanding of speech
  Motor cortex- controls the movement of muscles
  Arcuate fasciculus- connects Wernicke’s area to Broca’s area

Question 10

whats are the different lobes?

Answer 10

Front Lobe- memory, planning, decision making and personality
Parietal Lobe- Attention, visuo-spatial skills. perception
Temporal lobe- Memory, emotion regulation
Occipital lobe - The visual world

Question 11

Define a neuron?

Answer 11

• Electrically excitable cell, communicates with other cells through synapses

Question 12

what are neurotransmitters and their jobs?

Answer 12

• chemical messenger used in synapses

Question 13

At the post synaptic membrane what happens?

Answer 13

• Sodium ions= excitation action potentials more likely

- Chloride ions= Inhibition action potentials less likely

Question 14

what networks are involved in language?

Answer 14

• Broca’s area- involved in production of speech sound
• Wernicke’s area- involved in understanding of speech
• motor cortex - controls the movement of muscles
• Arcuate Fasciculus - Connects Wernicke’s area to Broca’s area