Chapter 3 : Biological basis of behaviour (5) Flashcards
What is brain plasticity?
Neuroscientists call this brain plasticity, which is “the brain’s ability to change structure and function”
What are the 3 conclusions of brain plasticity?
- First, experience can sculpt features of brain structure.
- Second, damage to incoming sensory pathways or the destruction of brain tissue can lead to neural reorganization.
- Third, the adult brain can generate new neurons
what are the two regions of the brain that undergoes neurogenesis?
Hippocampus and Rostrum.
Which side of the brain is important for speech?
Left side of the frontal lobe (broca’s area)
What is split brain surgery?
In split-brain surgery, the bundle of fibres that connects the cerebral hemispheres (the corpus callosum) is cut to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures
Explain the connections of the left and right hemispheres.
Each hemisphere’s primary connections are to the opposite side of the body.
For ex: the left hemisphere controls, and communicates with, the right hand, right
arm, right leg, right eyebrow, and so on, whereas the right hemisphere controls, and communicates with, the left side of the body.
How is stimuli registered in the eye and ears by the hemispheres?
Both eyes deliver information to both hemispheres, but this input is still separated.
Stimuli in the right half of the visual field are registered by receptors on the left side of each eye, which send signals to the left hemisphere.
What is the function of the left hemisphere?
The left hemisphere is usually better at tasks involving verbal processing, such as language, speech, reading, and writing
What is the function of the right hemisphere?
The right hemisphere exhibits superiority on many tasks involving nonverbal processing, such as most spatial, musical, and visual recognition tasks and tasks involving the perception of emotions
What was the method used to study cerebral specialization other than split brain surgery?
One method involves looking at left-right imbalances in visual or auditory processing, called perceptual asymmetries.
What is the second means of communication important to behaviour in the body?
Endocrine system
What is the most significant difference between neurotransmittors and hormones?
Neurotransmitters generally communicate across very short distances with lightning speed along very specific pathway.
Hormones travel to distant cells at a much slower speedand tend to be less specific, as they can act on many target cells throughout the body
What part of the brain controls the endrocrine system?
Hypothalamus.
How does the nervous system and endocrine system work together?
During fight or flight response, the hypothalamus sends signals along 2 pathways - autonomic nervous system and through pituitary gland to the adrenal gland.
What are the glands of the endocrine system and what are their functions?
Pituitary―“master gland,” growth hormone, oxytocin
Thyroid―metabolic rate
Adrenal―salt and carbohydrate metabolism
Pancreas―sugar metabolism
Gonads―sex hormones
