Intro to Brain & Behaviour Flashcards
Why study the Brain and Behaviour?
How the brain produces behaviour is still a major unanswered scientific question
Understanding brain function will allow improvements in many aspects of our daily lives: medical advancements, educational systems, economic systems and social systems
What are the 2 representations in the head?
1) Mental representation
2) Neural representation
Define Mental Representation.
The sense in which properties of the outside world (e.g. colours, objects) are copied/simulated by cognition
The sense in which properties of the outside world (e.g. colours, objects) are copied/simulated by cognition is know as..?
Mental Representation
Define Neural Representation
The way in which properties of the outside world manifest themselves in the neural signal (e.g. different spiking rates for different stimuli)
The way in which properties of the outside world manifest themselves in the neural signal (e.g. different spiking rates for different stimuli) is known as…?
Neural Representation
Studies of animal brains, patients with brain damage, and neuroimaging have enabled scientists to understand ….?
The structure and function of the brain
What does Anterior/Rostral mean in the Nervous system?
The front part of the brain
What does Posterior/Caudal mean in the Nervous system?
The back part of the brain
The front part of the brain is called…?
Anterior/Rostral
The back part of the brain is called…?
Posterior/Caudal
What does Dorsal mean in the Nervous system?
The top part of the brain
What does Ventral mean in the Nervous system?
The bottom part of the brain
The top part of the brain is called…?
Dorsal
The bottom part of the brain is called…?
Ventral
What does Lateral mean in the Nervous system?
Part of the brain that is towards the side
What does Medial mean in the Nervous system?
Part of the brain that is towards the middle
What does Ipsilateral mean in the Nervous system?
Same side
What does Contralateral mean in the Nervous system?
Opposite side
Define Transverse section in brain slices
Right angle to the neuraxis
Brain slice right angle to the neuraxis is known as…?
Transverse section
Define Sagittal Section in brain slices
Parallel to neuraxis and perpendicular to the ground
The brain slice parallel to the neuraxis and perpendicular to the ground is known as…?
Sagittal Section
Define Horizontal Section in brain slices
Parallel to the ground
The brain slice parallel to the ground is known as…?
Horizontal Section
What are the 3 types of brain slices and planes?
1) Transverse section
2) Sagittal section
3) Horizontal section
What are the 2 types of nervous systems?
1) Central nervous system
2) Peripheral nervous system
What 2 things are part of the central nervous system?
Brain and Spinal Cord
What are the 2 types of nervous systems in the peripheral nervous system?
1) Somatic NS
2) Automatic NS
Brain & spinal cord are in which nervous system?
Central Nervous System
Cranial nerves & spinal nerves are in which nervous system?
Peripheral Nervous System
What are the 2 nerves in the Peripheral Nervous System
1) Cranial nerves
2) Spinal nerves
What are the 5 characteristics of the brain?
1) Soft, jellylike structure; weight = 1400g
2) Large mass of neurons, glia and other supporting cells
3) The brain accounts for only 2% of body weight
4) In the liver, any given area performs the exact same function as another. In the brain, although similar in appearance, areas support different functions
5) The most protected organ in the body encased in a tough bony skull and floating in CSF fluid
How much does the brain account for our body weight?
2%
How much blood supply does the brain use?
20%
How much oxygen does the brain consume through the blood supply?
15-20%
How many miles of blood vessels does the human brain contain?
400 miles
What is the purpose of the large hole in the ventral part of the human skull?
Passage of the spinal cord
What is the name of the hole we have at the ventral part of our skull?
Foramen Magnum
Define Meninges
Layers of membranes which protect the brain and spinal cord
What is the term used to describe this?
Layers of membranes which protect the brain and spinal cord
Meninges
How many Meninges are there?
3
What are the 3 Meninges?
1) Dura Mater
2) Arachnoid
3) Pia Mater
Which meninge is the tougher, outer layer?
Dura Mater
Which meninge is flexible?
Dura Mater
Which meninge is a web-like structure filled with fluid that cushions the brain?
Arachnoid
Which meninge is like a sheet of cellophane that is draped over the brain and does not dip into the valleys of the brain contour?
Arachnoid
Which meninge is the delicate inner layer?
Pia Mater
Which meninge is the last layer of the meninges, which adheres to the surface of the brain?
Pia Mater
What is the term used to describe the space between the arachnoid and pia mater?
The subarachnoid space
Define the subarachnoid space
The space between the arachnoid membrane and pia mater filled with CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)
Define ventricles
A set of hollow chambers within the brain filled with CSF
What is the term used to define a set of hollow chambers within the brain filled with CSF?
Ventricles
What are the 4 ventricles?
1) Lateral Ventricles
2) Third Ventricles
3) Cerebral Aqueduct
4) Fourth Ventricle
What is the name of the fluid that is similar to blood plasma composition and is formed by the choroid plexus to protect the brain?
Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF
What is Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF formed by?
Formed by the choroid plexus
What is Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF similar to in terms of composition?
Blood plasma
What is the purpose of Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF?
Forms a watery cushion to protect the brain
What forms a watery cushion to protect the brain?
Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF
Where is the Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF circulated?
Circulated in arachnoid space, ventricles, and central canal of the spinal cord
What is the total volume of Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF?
125-150 ml
How many times per day does Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF turn over?
3 to 4 times per day
What actively secretes Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF?
The brain
Does Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF get reused/reabsorbed?
Yes
CSF is constantly being made, circulates and is reabsorbed into the bloodstream
Describe the 5-step circulation of CSF
1) Passes from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle through the interventricular foramen
2) From the third ventricle, the CSF flows through the cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) to the fourth ventricle
3) From the fourth ventricle, some CSF flows through a narrow passage called the obex and enters the central canal of the spinal cord. However, the majority of CSF passes through the apertures of the fourth ventricle; the median aperture (of Magendie) and two lateral apertures (of Luschka). Via these openings, the CSF enters the cisterna magna and cerebellopontine cisterns
4) From there, the CSF flows through the subarachnoid space of the brain and spinal cord
5) It is finally reabsorbed into the dural venous sinuses through arachnoid granulations
Is CSF reabsorbed?
Yes
What is the condition where infants have excess CSF fluid in the brain
Hydrocephalus
Describe hydrocephalus
- Excess liquid in the brain
- Head gets bigger and babies bones near the brain can expand
- Excess fluid puts pressure on the brain, which can damage it
When does the development of the nervous system begin?
Around the eighteenth day after conception
What happens by the 21st day to the infant’s brain?
Ridges of the brain touch each other and fuse together, forming a tube (neural tube) that gives rise to the brain and spinal cord
What are the 3 major divisions of the brain?
1) Forebrain
2) Midbrain
3) Hindbrain
Lateral and Third ventricles are in which major division of the brain?
1) Forebrain
2) Midbrain
3) Hindbrain
1) Forebrain
The cerebral aqueduct ventricle is in which major division of the brain?
1) Forebrain
2) Midbrain
3) Hindbrain
2) Midbrain
The fourth ventricle is in which major division of the brain?
1) Forebrain
2) Midbrain
3) Hindbrain
3) Hindbrain
Which section/division of the brain is the largest?
1) Forebrain
2) Midbrain
3) Hindbrain
1) Forebrain
Telencephalon and Diencephalon subdivisions are in which major division of the brain?
1) Forebrain
2) Midbrain
3) Hindbrain
1) Forebrain
What 3 principle structures are in the Telencephalon subdivision?
1) Cerebral cortex
2) Basal ganglia
3) Limbic system
Mesencephalon subdivision is in which major division of the brain?
1) Forebrain
2) Midbrain
3) Hindbrain
2) Midbrain