L3 - Brain Basics Flashcards

1
Q

Label the brians according to what specie(s) they belong to:

A

A. Bird

B. Mammal

C. Reptile

D. Bony Fish

E. Amphibian

F. Shark

G. Lamprey

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2
Q

Why do regions of the brain vary in size?

A

Neuron-rich system are energetically costly

  • e.g. In humans: 20% of blood flow goes to the brain, and consumes 20% of the oxygen your body uses. (despite being only c. 2% of your body weight)
  • basically use it or lose it
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3
Q

Lable this embryonic vertibrate brain

A

Top to bottom:

  1. Forbrain
  2. Midbrain
  3. Hindbrain
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4
Q

What are the cerebral “cortices” of mammals?

A
  • The outer layers of the cerebral hemispheres
  • singular - “cortex”
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5
Q

What does DECORTICATE** mean?

A

The cortices are surgically removed

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6
Q

What does DECEREBRATE** mean?

A

The entire cerebral hemispheres are surgically removed

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7
Q

What does VOLUNTARY mean?

A

In humans

  • feels like we mke a decision

Also

  • action can be initiated, delayed or withheld altogether based on context (often thanks to learning)
  • action can be modified part-way through if not succeeding (use of feedback)
  • action can be abandoned part-way through if not working (ditto)
  • action can be modified over time with learning
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8
Q

Lable the diagram

A
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9
Q

What part of the brain is responsible for decision-making, learning, and use of feedback?

A

Forebrain - Telencephalon

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10
Q

What does UNVOLUNTARY mean?

A

In humans

  • Feels like we do not make a decision: just happens

Also

  • context does not weather or when an action is performed: happens in a ‘stimulus-response’ automatic manner
  • action cannot be modified part-way through if not succeeding (no use of feedback)
  • action cannot be abandoned part-way through if not working (ditto)
  • action cannot be modified over time with learning
  • e.g. startle reflexes
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11
Q

What is the function the MEDULLA?

A
  • coordinates some unlearnt reflex actions (e.g. swallowing, vomiting, sneezing)
  • also contains ‘vital centres’ that control heart -beat and breathing (also blood pressure)
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12
Q

What is the function of the PONS?

A
  • mediates other unlearnt, reflex actions like startle, grasping
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13
Q

Some actions can be voluntary OR involuntary.

True or False?

A

True

  • Some functions like swallowing, breathing,stepping, swimming, ect can be both
  • Most of these functions are controlled by the medulla and/or spine and/ or midbrain (optic tectum) BUT can be ‘commanded’ by the forebrain too
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14
Q

What are some characteristics of “Anencephalic” babies lacking a cerebrum?

A
  • They can still swallow, yawn, show grasp reflexes; have facial expressions; eyes may even follow moving objects
  • all these actions are involuntary due to the fact there is no fore-brain to allow these actions to become voluntary.
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15
Q

“DECEREBRATE” dogs/cats can still…

A
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16
Q

A lamprey needs a froebrain to be able to swim.

True or False?

A

False

A lamprey actually doesn’t need a brain at all in order to swim

17
Q

What are the cortical areas relevant to voluntary motor control?

A
  • Premotor cortex
  • Supplementary cortex motor area
  • Primary motor cortex
  • Posterior parietal cortex
18
Q

Sensory cortices and pre-frontak cortex send information processing via ___________?

A

via the basal ganglia

19
Q

What are the 3 main types of CORTICO-BASAL CIRCUITS?

A
  1. A motivation circuit that assesses and determines the rate and persistence required
  2. A sensorimotor circuit that starts and ends at the motor and sensorimoter cortices, mainly passing through the putamen
  3. A cognitive cirvuit that starts and ends at several cortical regions including the prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex, mainly passing through the caudate
20
Q

What is the PUTAMEN?

A
  • The outer part of the lentiform nucleus of the brain.
  • involved in learning and motor control, including speech articulation, and language functions, reward, cognitive functioning, and addiction
21
Q

What is the CAUDATE?

A
  • a paired, “C”-shaped subcortical structure which lies deep inside the brain near the thalamus
  • It plays a critical role in various higher neurological functions
  • The caudate works with the putamen to receive the input from cerebral cortex. Collectively, they can be considered the “entrance” to the basal ganglia. Projections from the putamen reach the caudate directly via the caudolenticular grey bridges.
22
Q

What are the 4 main types of voluntary movent control?

A
  1. High level decisions about what to do
  2. How to do it I: the individual actions required
  3. How to do it II: smooth speedy sequences
  4. How to do it III: the rate and persistence required
23
Q

What are some facts about the ASSOCIATIVE REGIONS of the prefrontal cortex?

A
  • It acts via the cognitive circuit that starts and ends at several cortical regions including the prefrontal cortex, mainly passing through the caudate
  • In charge of:
    • impulse control
      • stop and think, then act
    • supervision and planning
    • moderating ‘impulsivity’ & distractibility
      • preference for immediate small rewards over delayed bigger rewards
      • THIS CIRCUIT FUNCTIONS POORLY IN JUVENILES AND STRESSED INDIVIDUALS
24
Q

What role does the cerebellum play in motor coordination with practice?

A
  • it receives input from the motor cortex and sends signals back
  • programs final voluntary muscle control so that: muscles are more coordinated, muscle memory can start to occur.
25
Q

The forebrain develops similarly in all vertibrates except who?

A

Bony fish

26
Q

Regional size of the brain reflects functional improtance in vertibrates

True or False?

A

True

27
Q

True or False

The brain and spinal chord are designed to automatically produce some reflexes and simple actions (with no volition or forebrain input)

A

True

28
Q

True or False?

Voluntary behavior is not controlled by three major cortice-basal ganglia circuits

A

False

Voluntary behavior is controlled by three major cortice-basal ganglia circuits; and regional allocation within the motor cortex reflects functional importance

29
Q

Sequences of voluntary behavior is smoothed and integrated with practice thats to what region of the brain?

A

The cerebellum

30
Q

Brain comparison

A
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36
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A