History of Neuroscience

Question 1

Early hominids practiced __, a procedure where holes were drilled into the skull for therapeutic purposes.

Answer 1

Trephination/Trephining

Question 2

Egyptians were aware of brain damage symptoms.

However, they believed the __, not the brain, was the center of intelligence and memory.

Answer 2

Heart

Question 3

Stated that the brain is the seat of intelligence.

Answer 3

Hippocrates

Question 4

Believed that the heart controlled intellect, while the brain served to cool blood.

Answer 4

Aristotle

Question 5

A Greek physician in Rome, who studied brain and spinal injuries from gladiators.

Answer 5

Galen

Question 6

He dissected sheep brains and proposed early theories

Answer 6

Galen

Question 7

According to Galen, this processes sensations

Answer 7

Cerebrum (soft)

Question 8

According to Galen, this controls muscles

Answer 8

Cerebellum (firm)

Question 9

According to Galen, this channels for “vital humors” flowing through nerves, which were believed to be hollow tubes

Answer 9

Ventricles

Question 10

A pioneer in anatomy, he studied the structure of the human brain and ventricles.

Answer 10

Andreas Vesalius

Question 11

Proposed a hydraulic view, where fluids from the ventricles “pumped up” the body.

Answer 11

Andreas Vesalius

Question 12

Introduced substance dualism, the idea that the mind (soul) and body are separate.

Answer 12

René Descartes (17th
Century)

Question 13

Suggested the pineal gland as the connection between the mind and the brain.

Answer 13

René Descartes (17th Century)

Question 14

Proposed the Cartesian Theater, a hypothetical “center of consciousness.

Answer 14

René Descartes (17th Century)

Question 15

This period marked the foundation of modern neuroscience with four key insights:

Answer 15

1. Nerves as Wires
2. Localization of Brain Function
3. The nervous system (and
   thus behavior) is governed
   by the principles of
   evolution by natural
   selection.
4. The Neuron is the
   Basic Functional Unit
   of the nervous system.

Question 16

Conducted experiments on electricity.

Answer 16

Benjamin Franklin (1751)

Question 17

Demonstrated that nerves use electricity to make muscles contract.

Answer 17

Luigi Galvani & Emil du Bois-Reymond (1800)

Question 18

Found that dorsal roots carry sensory information and that ventral roots control motor function.

Answer 18

Charles Bell & Francois Magendie (1810)

Question 19

Suggested the cerebellum controls motor function (moter fibers: ventral roots) and the cerebrum processes sensations (sensory fibers: dorsal roots).

Answer 19

Charles Bell (1811)

Question 20

Conducted brain ablation (selective removal) studies to prove Bell’s and Galen’s theories.

Answer 20

Marie-Jean-Pierre Flourens

Question 21

Developed phrenology, linking skull shape to personality.

Answer 21

Franz Joseph Gall

Question 22

Studied patients with language impairments, identifying Broca’s area in the left frontal lobe.

Can understand but not speak.

Answer 22

Paul Broca

Question 23

Proposed evolution by natural selection.

Answer 23

Charles Darwin (1859)

Question 24

Animal models in neuroscience were validated by showing that basic nervous systems are shared across species.

Answer 24

Charles Darwin (1859)

Question 25

Proposed cell theory, suggesting that the brain consists of individual neurons rather than a single network.

Answer 25

Theodore Schwann (1839)

Question 26

Modern neuroscience is divided into several disciplines:

Answer 26

1. Molecular Neuroscience 2. Cellular Neuroscience 3. Systems Neuroscience 4. Behavioral Neuroscience 5. Cognitive Neuroscience

Question 27

Studies the biochemical processes (biochemistry) of the nervous system.

Answer 27

Molecular Neuroscience

Question 28

Examines individual neurons and their functions.

Answer 28

Cellular Neuroscience

Question 29

Investigates neural circuits responsible for sensory and motor functions.

Answer 29

Systems Neuroscience

Question 30

Explores how brain systems produce behavior, emotions, and cognition.

Answer 30

Behavioral Neuroscience

Question 31

Focuses on how brain activity leads to thought, memory, and self-awareness.

Answer 31

Cognitive Neuroscience

Question 32

A major motivation behind neuroscience research is understanding neurological and psychiatric diseases, which affect millions.

Answer 32

Nervous System Disorders

Question 33

Degenerative Brain Diseases

Answer 33

1. Alzheimer’s Disease 2. Parkinson’s Disease 3. Huntington’s Disease

Question 34

Causes dementia and memory loss

Answer 34

Alzheimer’s Disease

Question 35

Leads to motor impairments

Answer 35

Parkinson’s Disease

Question 36

An inherited condition that causes brain cells to slowly lose function and die

Answer 36

Huntington’s Disease

Question 37

Cerebrovascular Disease

Answer 37

Stroke

Question 38

Mental Disorders

Answer 38

1. Depression 2. Schizophrenia 3. Addiction

Question 39

3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.

Answer 39

Stroke

Question 40

Is the leading cause of suicide.

Answer 40

Depression

Question 41

Involves delusions and hallucinations

Answer 41

Schizophrenia

Question 42

Fundamental Neuroscience Concepts The nervous system operates on a stimulus-response basis:

Answer 42

1. Stimulus 2. Receptors 3. Conductors 4. Brain interprets the signal. 5. Conductors 6. Effectors

Question 43

Structures in the Stimulus-Response Pathway

Answer 43

1. Receptors 2. Conductors 3. Effectors

Question 44

Detect and transmit sensory information.

Answer 44

Receptors

Question 45

Nerve pathways between brain and body.

Answer 45

Conductors

Question 46

Muscles or glands that respond to stimuli.

Answer 46

Effectors