Chapter 1

Question 1

What is Neuroscience?

Answer 1

The study of the nervous system

Question 2

How do we learn about neuroscience?

Answer 2

There are 3 ways:
1. Experimental design - Performing tests
2. Observational study - Observing differences in those who have a TBI compared to those who don’t
3. Case study - Highly detailed description of a single patient and their condition

Question 3

What is not neuroscience? (What myths should we debunk based on what we know about the brain?)

Answer 3

1. We only use 10% of our brain - Most of the brain is active most of the time.
2. Forming memories causes new neurons to be born - Neurogenesis exists and it is currently believed that memories are stored in synapses
3. The brain cannot repair itself - People recover from strokes, this is due to neurons being replaced (Neurogenesis)
4. Left brain = analytical, right brain = creative - All of the brain can do these functions just as well as the side that is “responsible”

Question 4

What are some examples illustrating the changing landscape of neuroscience? What are some changes over time in how we think of or know about the brain?

Answer 4

It used to be believed that blood was hot and that was associated with having a temper, and the brain would cool the blood, making the individual less angry as the blood flows through the brain. Since then, the localization theory has taken off and we now believe that different areas of the brain are responsible for different things.

Question 5

Why do we say neuroscience is an integrative field of study?

Answer 5

Neuroscience is a combination of several academic disciplines which all use their strengths to understand some aspect of the nervous system.

(Bio, psyc, chem, phys, healthcare providers, and computational neuroscience)

Question 6

Action potentials

Answer 6

Electrical impulses that travel down the axon of a neuron, allowing communication between neurons. They are all-or-none events (when a neuron reaches a certain threshold of excitation)

Question 7

Case study

Answer 7

Detailed investigation of a single individual, group, or event, used to explore complex phenomena or rare conditions.

Question 8

Causality

Answer 8

The relationship between cause and effect. Where one events directly brings about another event.

Question 9

CLARITY

Answer 9

Tissue-clearing technique used to make brain tissues transparent while preserving their structure.

Allows for detailed imaging of neurons and their connections.

Question 10

Cognition

Answer 10

Mental process involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding.

Question 11

Communication

Answer 11

Process of transferring information from one thing to another. Dendrite -> axon

Question 12

Confounding variable

Answer 12

An outside influence that can affect the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables in an experiment.

Question 13

Contralateral

Answer 13

The opposite side of the body (right side of the brain controls movements on the left side not the body)

Question 14

Control group

Answer 14

A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment of intervention being tested (serve as a baseline)

Question 15

Correlation

Answer 15

A statistical relationship between two variables, where changes in one variable are associated with changes in the other.

Correlation is NOT causation.

Question 16

Dependent variable

Answer 16

The variable being measured, changes in response to the independent variable.

Question 17

Dependent variable

Answer 17

The variable being measured, changes in response to the independent variable.

Question 18

Distributive processing theory

Answer 18

The idea that cognitive functions are not localized to a single brain area but instead involve multiple regions working together to process information.

Question 19

Electron microscope

Answer 19

A powerful microscope that uses beams of electrons instead of light to produce highly magnified images of very small objects (neurons or synapses)

Question 20

Experimental design

Answer 20

The plan or structure of an experiment that specifies how variables are manipulated and controlled to test the hypothesis

Question 21

Independent variable

Answer 21

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 22

Localization theory

Answer 22

The theory that specific cognitive functions or behaviours are controlled by specific regions of the brain, such as the Broca’s area for speech.

Question 23

Neurodegenerative conditions

Answer 23

Disorders where a progressive loss of neuron function or structure occurs. This leads to symptoms like memory loss, motor dysfunction, and cognitive decline. (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s)

Question 24

Neurogenesis

Answer 24

The process of generating new neurons, primarily in certain regions such as the hippocampus, and areas associated with learning and memory.

Question 25

Neurons

Answer 25

Nerve cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the nervous system. They have a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.

Question 26

Neurotransmitters

Answer 26

Chemical messengers released by neurons that transmit across synapses to other neurons, muscles, or glands. (Dopamine and serotonin).

Question 27

Phineas Gage

Answer 27

A famous case study in neuroscience involving a railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that altered his personality, providing early evidence of the role of the frontal lobes in personality and decision-making.

Question 28

Plasticity

Answer 28

The brains ability to change and adapt in response to experience, learning, or injury. This includes synaptic plasticity and the ability to form new neural connections.

Question 29

Quasi-experimental design

Answer 29

A research design that resembles an experimental design but lacks random assignment to groups. It is used when randomization is not feasible or ethical.

Question 30

Representative sample

Answer 30

A subset of a population that accurately reflects the demographics, characteristics, or variables of interest of the larger population.

Question 31

Synapses

Answer 31

The junctions between neurons where neurotransmitters are released to communicate signals to the next neuron, muscle, or gland.