Chapter 3 Flashcards
How do scientists study the human brain and nervous system?
Scientists use advanced tools and methods like neuroimaging to explore the brain and nervous system.
What challenges did researchers face in the past when studying the human brain?
studying the human brain without causing damage due to the limitations of study methods and technologies.
What are the historical methods researchers used to study the brain?
Researchers studied the brain by looking at tissue from autopsies, observing how patients with brain damage behaved, and recording brain activity with EEG.
What is the drawback of recording electrical brain activity through EEG?
EEG provides only a summary of surface brain activity, making it challenging to pinpoint deep brain activity accurately.
What are some modern neuroimaging techniques used to study the brain?
Modern neuroimaging techniques include MRI, fMRI, CT scans, PET scans, TMS, and DTI, each with its advantages and limitations.
How does functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) differ from other brain imaging techniques?
fMRI combines the clarity of MRI for anatomical imaging with the ability to measure real-time activity in specific brain areas during tasks or behaviors.
Why is it important to choose the right technique for studying the brain?
Researchers should choose the right methods for their study by thinking about things like how easy it is to access, how much it costs, and the kind of information they require.
Who is Dr. Wilder Penfield, and what is he known for?
Dr. Wilder Penfield was a neurosurgeon known for his groundbreaking work in treating epilepsy by identifying and removing specific brain areas that caused seizures.
What is the significance of Dr. Penfield’s work in understanding the brain?
Dr. Penfield’s research was crucial for treating epilepsy but didn’t uncover how the brain stores complex thoughts. That understanding has improved with modern neuroscience studies.
What are the two main components of the human nervous system?
The two main components of the human nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord.
What are the key types of neurons responsible for transmitting information in the nervous system?
Afferent neurons: Carry sensory info to the CNS.
Efferent neurons: Send info from the CNS to muscles and glands.
Interneurons: Link various neurons together.
What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) composed of?
Somatic nervous system: Handles senses and movement.
Autonomic nervous system: Takes care of automatic, involuntary functions..
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system, and what functions do they serve?
The autonomic nervous system has two parts: the sympathetic nervous system (kicks in during stress) and the parasympathetic nervous system (operates when you’re at rest).
What physiological changes occur when the sympathetic nervous system is activated?
When the sympathetic nervous system activates, it initiates the “fight-or-flight” response, causing effects such as a faster heart rate, dilated pupils, heightened breathing, and the release of glucose for energy.
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in the body?
The parasympathetic nervous system assists in bringing the body back to its relaxed state and is often called the “rest and digest” system.
How can social situations, like public speaking, activate the sympathetic nervous system?
Social situations that evoke fear of embarrassment can activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to stress responses.
What is the function of the spinal cord in the central nervous system?
The spinal cord processes sensory and motor information, helps with reflexes, and links the brain to the body.
What is a pain reflex, and how does it illustrate the role of the spinal cord in quick reactions?
A pain reflex, such as quickly pulling your foot away from a tack, involves the spinal cord in generating rapid responses without brain involvement.
What happens when there is spinal cord damage, and how does the location of the damage affect the individual’s condition?
Spinal cord damage can result in paralysis and loss of sensation. The location of the damage affects the extent of paralysis.
What promising developments have been made in the treatment of spinal cord injuries?
Progress comes in the form of epidural electrical stimulation, neural bypasses, and stem cell treatments for spinal cord recovery.
What is the hindbrain, and what are its main components?
The hindbrain is the part of the brain closest to the spinal cord, consisting of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.
What is the primary function of the medulla?
The medulla regulates basic bodily functions such as respiration, heart rate, and reflexes.
What is the role of the pons in the brain?
The pons acts as a bridge between the medulla and other brain areas, playing a role in sleep, dreaming, breathing, and more.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
The cerebellum is responsible for motor coordination, learning, and certain types of movement-related tasks.
What is the reticular formation, and what are its functions?
The reticular formation is a neural network extending from the hindbrain to midbrain, regulating consciousness, arousal, and various bodily functions.
What structures are found in the midbrain, and what roles do they play in movement?
The midbrain houses the substantia nigra, which is crucial for smooth movement, and contains dopamine-producing neurons that are essential for motor control.
What is the thalamus, and what is its primary role?
The thalamus is a collection of nuclei serving as a relay station for incoming sensory information, except for the sense of smell.
How does the hypothalamus contribute to motivation and regulation of the endocrine system?
The hypothalamus controls motivated behaviors like eating, drinking, and sex, and plays a role in regulating hormones throughout the body.
What is the connection between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland?
The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland, which produces hormones and controls various endocrine glands.
What is the limbic system, and what functions does it regulate?
The limbic system is a group of interconnected brain structures involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory regulation.
What is the role of the amygdala in the brain?
The amygdala processes information about emotions, particularly fear, and has a role in the development of phobias.