Exam 1

Question 1

What are the historically opposed models of brain function which have contributed to the advancement of cognitive neuroscience research?

Answer 1

Modular/Localized and Distributed

Question 2

What historical evidence supports the idea of a localized brain?

Answer 2

Broca and Wernicke: found evidence of separate localized origins of language production and language comprehension in patients with differing focal lesions.

Question 3

What historical evidence supports the idea of a distributed brain?

Answer 3

Karl Lashley found that rats navigation of a maze was unaffected by location of the brain areas removed. Size of the lesion was found to matter.

Question 4

What rudimentary insights and techniques gave rise to the emergence of modern neuroimaging techniques?

Answer 4

Mosso observed that the veins on the surface of the brain varied in pulsation depending on what his patient was doing, inferring that blood flow increases with mental activity.

Question 5

What is the difference between cellular and systems neuroscience?

Answer 5

Cellular neuroscience is mostly ex-vivo and focused on 1-100 individual neurons and how they transmit information. Systems neuroscience is focused on brain regions and networks and is more commonly in-vivo.

Question 6

What is the function of neurons?

Answer 6

To carry information from one place to another via electrical, electrochemical, and chemical signals.

Question 7

What is the function of glial cells?

Answer 7

To provide structural and functional support for neurons.

Question 8

What type of glial cells populate the extracellular space between neurons, establishing connections between neurons and the vascular system?

Answer 8

Astrocytes

Question 9

What type of glial cells wrap around axons to facilitate rapid and long-term communication?

Answer 9

Oligodendrocytes

Question 10

What cellular level property of neurons is measured/exploited in intracellular electrophysiology?

Answer 10

The intracellular voltage changes associated with the transmission of information within a neuron. (recording action potentials)

Question 11

What cellular level property of neurons is measured/exploited in surface-based electrophysiology?

Answer 11

The extracellular voltage changes associated with the transmission of information between neurons. (recording local field potentials)

Question 12

What cellular level property of neurons is measured/exploited in fMRI?

Answer 12

Oxygen concentration, as active neurons require more oxygen than inactive neurons.

Question 13

Describe the layers of the cortex.

Answer 13

Allocortex- layers 1-4
Mesocortex- layers 3-6
Neocortex- layer 6

Question 14

Divide the cerebral cortex by anatomical features at the broadest level.

Answer 14

The occipital lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the frontal lobe.

Question 15

Describe the occipital lobe.

Answer 15

Contains the visual cortex, V1-V5. It is retinotopically organized and sensitive to orientation, spatial frequency, and movement.

Question 16

Describe the parietal lobe.

Answer 16

Contains the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex, allowing for sensations such as touch, pain, temperature, and body position. Contributes to spatial cognition and the integration of conceptual knowledge with motor control.

Question 17

Describe the temporal lobe.

Answer 17

Contains the primary auditory cortex, the integration of complex visual information with conceptual knowledge, and all forms of declarative memory.

Question 18

What are the three main functional subdivisions of the frontal lobe?

Answer 18

The prefrontal cortex: higher order association cortex
The premotor cortex (M2): planning and sequencing of volitional movement
The primary motor cortex (M1): generates signals that control volitional movement

Question 19

In surface-based electrophysiology, what does a positive LFP indicate?

Answer 19

Depolarization of superficial layers or hyperpolarization of deep layers.

Question 20

In surface-based electrophysiology, what does a negative LFP indicate?

Answer 20

Hyperpolarization of superficial layers or depolarization of deep layers.

Question 21

How do astrocytes accommodate neuronal demand for glucose and oxygen?

Answer 21

They dilate vasculature, resulting in an overabundance of oxygenated blood.

Question 22

What does EEG stand for?

Answer 22

Electroencephalography

Question 23

What is EEG?

Answer 23

Noninvasive recording of voltage changes in the brain using electrodes on the scalp. High temporal resolution, but undefined spatial resolution.