Chapter 1 - Neuroscience's past, present and future Flashcards
Where are the cerebrum and the cerebellum?
The cerebrum is in the front, and the cerebellum in the back of the brain.
What are major functions of the CEREBRUM?
Sensation and perception. It is also a repository of memory.
What are major functions of the CEREBELLUM?
It is primarily a movement control cente
What is the function of white matter relative to the gray matter?
It contains the fibers that bring information to and from gray matter.
What are the four lobes of the cerebrum?
Frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe.
What is the role of the CENTRAL SULCUS?
It divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.
What is the role of the SYLVIAN FISSURE?
It divides the frontal lobe from the temporal lobe.
What are the elements of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM?
The cerebrum, the cerebellum, the brain stem, and the spinal cord.
What are the elements of the PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM?
The nervous system that extends throughout the body.
Where do the DORSAL and VENTRAL roots of the nerve enter the spinal cord?
The DORSAL root enters towards the BACK of the spinal cord, and the VENTRAL root enters towards the FRONT. D-B, V-F
What is the area of MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE?
The study of the most elementary level of brain, the function of the molecules that allow neurons to communicate, among others.
What is the area of CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE?
The study focusing on how all the molecules work together to give neurons their special properties. How many different types of neurons are there, how do they differ in function? How do they perform computations?
What is the area of SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE?
The study focusing on constellations of neurons that form complex circuits, that perform a common function. E.g., the visual system and the motor system.
What is the area of BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE?
The study focusing on how neural systems work together to produce integrated behaviors. Are different forms of memory accounted for by different systems? How do different parts of the brain affect mood and behavior? Etc.
What is the area of COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE?
Understanding how neural mechanisms are responsible for higher levels of human mental activity, such as self-awareness, imagination, and language. How the activity of the brain creates the mind.
What is CLINICAL neuroscience research?
Medical/clinical research that is mainly conducted by physicians. Neurology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, neutopathology.
What is EXPERIMENTAL neuroscience research?
Research that provides a foundation for all medical treatments of the nervous system. Includes many methodologies. Neuroanatomists, neurophysiologists, neuropharmacologists, …
What is THEORETICAL neuroscience research?
Research that uses mathematical and computational tools to understand the brain at all levels of analysis. Trying to make sense of the vast amounts of data generated by experimentalists, with goals of helping focus experiments on questions of greatest importance.
What are the four steps of the scientific process?
Observation, replication, interpretation, and verification.
What is the observation part of the scientific process?
Observation is observing the external world, or introspection. For example: Cut the nerve fibers that control the muscles, see if it affects muscles.
What is the replication part of the scientific process?
Any observation, whether experimental or clinical, must be replicated. E.g., on different subjects or making similar observations in different patients.
What is the interpretation part of the scientific process?
Once a scientist believes the observation is correct, he or she interprets it. This depends on the state of knowledge or ignorance at the time and the mindset of the scientist. Interpretations do not always withstand the test of time.
What is the verification part of the scientific process?
Reproduction. The observation must be sufficiently robust so that any competent scientist who precisely follows the protocols of the original observer can reproduce it.
What are brain ventricles, and what functions have been ascribed to them over the ages?
Ventricles are a set of four interconnected cavities or hollow spaces of the brain. The cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a cushion or a buffer for the brain is produced there. They were thought to play a role in sensations by movement of humors, and thought to have caused movement of the limbs.
