Exploring the brain Flashcards
What does the brain do?
Brian allows us to behave, speak, make gestures. The nervous system allows these to be acted upon. Input leads to computation which leads to output. Sensing leads to processing which leads to effect
What is the peripheral nervous system?
The peripheral nervous system provides us with inputting sensory information and generating outputs, allowing us to behave. This is an important gateway for sensory information.
What are the two subsections of the peripheral nervous system & what do they do?
(a) autonomic nervous system: internal environment passes sensory neurone to the CNS, & the CNS passes motor neurons to the internal environment (focused on the guy & the way homeostasis interfaces behaviour)
(b) somatic nervous system: external environment passes sensory neurons to CNS, and the CNS passes motor neurons to the external environment (responsible for providing inputs from external environment e.g. touch sensors in fingers)
What makes up the somatic nervous system?
White matter and nerve matter run up and down the spinal cord. Many cell bodies have grey appearance. Sensory info comes through the dorsal route. Nerves running out to muscles produce muscle contractions that come through the ventral route. Mediated by the spinal cord, not the brain.
Features of the autonomic nervous system
Includes sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves which have opposed actions e.g. when para is active heart rate slows, when sympathetic is active heart beat speeds up.
What is the medulla?
Lots of connections pass through the medulla. Consists of different nuclei. Regulates many autonomic functions e.g. breathing & hear rate. Damage can be fatal (controls essential functions). Essential structure in preserving life.
What is the pons?
Many connections pass through from spinal cord to diencephalon & cortex. Many nuclei have specific function. Functions include auditory processing and arousal state.
What is the cerebellum?
Layered cortical structure. Receives inputs from the cerebral cortex and spinal cord via the pons. Functions include making the following more adaptive & accurate: balance, procedural memory, motor learning.
What is the midbrain?
Two structures in the midbrain: superior colliculus and the substantia nigra. SC received visual and auditory info. SN embedded in motor control circuits and is important in the initiation and termination of motor actions. Degeneration is associated with Parkinson’s.
What is the diencephalon?
It’s major structures are the thalamus and the hypothalamus.
What is the cerebrum?
Formed of the cerebral cortex. It has sub-cortical structures, which are: hippocampus, basal ganglia, amygdala, olfactory bulb.
What is the basal ganglia?
Inputs from cortex, hippocampus. Functions include coordinating movement and motivating behaviour.
What is the amygdala?
Functions are emotional learning, especially fear conditioning.
What is the hippocampus?
Functions are associative learning, spatial memory and representation.
