Chapter 1: Introduction Flashcards
What is the brain?
CNS, PNS, monitors all organs, produces both behavior and emotions
How many neurons and glial cells does a human brain have?
87 billions neurons and 86 billion glial cells
What are the divisions of the nervous system
CNS (mediates behaviors)
SNS (transmits sensation and produces movement)
ANS (balances internal functions)
ENS (controls the gut)
Genotype vs Phenotype: How are they related/different?
Genotype: our genetic code, stays the same
Phenotype: observable characteristics, changes throughout life
Nerve net
a network of neurons apparently continuous with one another and conducting impulses in all directions. Think of a jellyfish
What are ganglia?
clusters of neurons
Encephalization quotient
the relationship between brain size and body size, complexity of behavior increases as EQ increases
Relation of brain cells to intelligence
Increased brain cells, increased behavioral complexity
Increased synapses, increased behavioral complexity
Connectome
mapping the connections between neural functional networks
How is brain size related to intelligence?
Increased brain size does not directly relate to intelligence
Neuroplasticity
the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or injury
Memes
an element of culture that is passed from one individual to another, memes exert selective pressure on further brain development, advances our species
Flynn Effect
performance on a intelligence test increases as time goes on
Weight of the brain
1360 grams
