lecture 1 nervous system and history

Question 1

Purpose of the nervous system

Answer 1

Guide and organize movement to get the things we need to survive

Question 2

How many neurons are in the brain

Answer 2

90 billion

Question 3

Neuron facts / why it’s important

Answer 3

Excitable: generates electrochemical properties (action potentials)
Neuron speed, integration, and precision
collective activity of neurons determines actions, behaviours and thoughts

Question 4

Brain region - Visual distinction

Answer 4

Based on landmarks in the brain
E.g obifrontal gurus near orbital bone

Question 5

Cytoarchitectural Distinction

Answer 5

Cell structure of neurons in different brain areas
E.G primary motor cortex has larger betz cells (neurons)

Question 6

Functional Distinction

Answer 6

Brain regions defined by function

Question 7

Genetic Distinction

Answer 7

Genetic markers —> There are different genetic profiles in different parts of the brain. It’s not practical since there’s almost 3000-5000 in the brain.

Question 8

Ancient Egyptians believed

Answer 8

heart was more critical than the brain

Question 9

Physicians believed (Hippocrates & Galen)

Answer 9

Brain damage was correlated to behavioural impairments (4 humours of the brain)

Question 10

Aristotle believed

Answer 10

brain purpose was to cool blood

Question 11

Religious views

Answer 11

Soul responsible for behaviours, soul is different than your body

Question 12

Role of ventricles (1500s)

Answer 12

Ventricles (CSF filled cavities ) are what determine behaviour

Question 13

Descartes Dualist Model (& pineal gland)

Answer 13

Body and soul are different, soul determines behaviour
Compatible with religion
Pineal gland is the mediator between mind and body
Machine (nervous system transmits info like machines)

Question 14

Holistic view

Answer 14

Brain regions involved in ALL functions
No specialization of any region

Question 15

Localized function view (explain + who came up with it, what was the research based on)

Answer 15

Franz Gall
Different regions of the brain have specific functions
Brain structure correlated with cognition in animals

Question 16

Experience-dependent neuroplasticity

Answer 16

brain regions can change with use of their dedicated function

Question 17

Phrenology

Answer 17

Brain areas related that are related to mental traits — increase the size in those traits
Changes in brain significant enough to deform cranium

Question 18

Flourens

Answer 18

effects of controlled legions on animals

Question 19

Fritsch and Hitzjg (zap)

Answer 19

Brain stimulation effects on the movement in dogs
Areas of the brain involved in motor movement

Question 20

Jackson (hierarchy processing)

Answer 20

Hierarchy of processing in the nervous system
Lower levels (basic functions)
Middle levels (sensory motor functions)
Higher levels (conscious thought)

Question 21

Link between brain damage and language impairment

Answer 21

Aphasia

Question 22

Wernicke’s aphasia damage

Answer 22

Located in the temporal lobe
Impacts language comprehension

Question 23

Brocas aphasia damage

Answer 23

located in the frontal lobe
Impacts speech production

Question 24

Evolutionary theory (who created it)

Answer 24

Darwin & Wallace
Natural section - traits there are good for evolutionary purposes

Question 25

Hereditary genius (who created it)

Answer 25

Galton Anyone who’s a freak doesn’t deserve to reproduce

Question 26

Microposy and staining methods (NISSL STAIN)

Answer 26

Revealed neuronal structure and organization

Question 27

Father of modern neuroscience

Answer 27

Ramon Y Cajal Advanced staining procedures done by camilo golfing to visualize the nervous system

Question 28

Neuron doctrine vs Reticular theory (disproven)

Answer 28

Neuron doctrine - nervous system is made out of individual cells Reticular theory - everything is a single continuous network

Question 29

who proposed the synapse, and who confirmed it

Answer 29

Sherrington confirmed by Palay

Question 30

Brodmann Map (what is it)

Answer 30

Studied neuronal structure obv in the cortex (size, density, and types) (cytoarchitecture) All these cell groups are located in different areas If different cell structure/properties affect functions, map of cell properties/structure could become a map of function Assumption that structural difference = functional difference 52 regions

Question 31

Brodmann map (why it’s still important)

Answer 31

The map is still used in neuro imaging Newer systems like TALAIRACH and MNI systems

Question 32

First neurotransmitter identified (which one and by who)

Answer 32

Otto Loewi Acetylcholine

Question 33

People who identified characteristics of action potetials

Answer 33

Eccles, Hodgkin, Huxley

Question 34

Four reasons why animal research is employed

Answer 34

ethical perspective (experimental design) unethical to use on humans Reductionist/Logistic Perspective Animals nervous system simpler, easier to study evolutionary perspective Nervous system similarities between animals and humans explain behavioural similarities Comparative perspective Nervous system differences between animals/humans helps explain behavioural differences

Question 35

Limitations of animal models (3 of them) pp

Answer 35

cost is high (human research way cheaper) Modelling human behaviours is challenging (behaviours like language can’t be investigated) Ungeneralizable - drugs that work on animals don’t work on humans (about 20% of them work)

Question 36

Key features of a disorder model (animal) (3 of them)

Answer 36

Behavioural impairments similar to real disorder Biological changes (within nervous system) similar to real disorder Behavioural impairments/biological changes can be reversed by drugs that can treat the real disorder

Question 37

Faulton & Jacobsen “Becky” PFC lesion

Answer 37

Noticed effect of PFC damage in animals Becky became more docile after injury

Question 38

Moniz belief on PFC lesion

Answer 38

Believed it could cure mental illness.

Question 39

Lobotomy impacts

Answer 39

Performed on large population unconsensuallg Marginalized groups, esp women >60%

Question 40

Mistakes in lobotomy

Answer 40

experimental method wasn’t used animal case study generalized species difference not considered limited follow up individual rights ignored