Localisation of Function in the brain

Question 1

recall the structure of the human nervous system, with reference to the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Answer 1

The central nervous system contains the brain and spinal cord and helps the brain communicate with the rest of the body. The brain is responsible for interpretation and thinking. The spinal cord connects the peripheral nervous system to the brain. It runs from the brain stem to the lower-middle section of the spine and is where reflexes occur. Spinal reflexes are reflexes controlled through the spine in response to sensations and stimuli.
The peripheral nervous system works alongside the central nervous system and sends messages from the body to the brain. It is made up of the somatic nervous system and the automatic nervous system.

Question 2

describe the role of the spinal cord in the human nervous system, with reference to the spinal reflex

Answer 2

The spinal cord connects the peripheral nervous system to the brain. The role of the spinal cord is to carry information from the environment via sensory neurons to the central nervous system and carry information from the brain to the motor neurons and effector muscles. The spinal cord can carry a spinal reflex arc to protect the body from harm. Spinal reflex occurs very quickly and without conscious thought. It involves monosynaptic reflex arcs or polysynaptic reflex arcs in the spine and does not require transmission to the brain.

Question 3

recognise that the cerebral cortex can be divided into a number of discrete areas, which have specific functions, including the frontal, occipital, parietal, and temporal lobes.

Answer 3

The key areas of the cerebral cortex are:
- Frontal lobe - responsible for abstract thought, social skills, and planning.
- Temporal lobe - responsible for hearing, language, and visual recognition
- Parietal lobe - responsible for the processing of sensory information
- occipital lobe - responsible for visual processing

Question 4

recall that language processing occurs within Broca’s area Wernicke’s area, and Geschwind’s territory.

Answer 4

There are three areas of the brain that are responsible for the processing of language: Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, and Geschwind’s territory. Broca’s area is responsible for the production of fluent speech, Wernicke’s area is responsible for the comprehension of speech and Geschwind’s territory connects the three lobes of the brain to enable speech.

Question 5

recognise that voluntary movements is coordinated from the primary motor cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia.

Answer 5

Voluntary movement is used to control our body parts and facial expressions and help us with communication. It is carried out through the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and primary motor cortex

Question 6

recognise that emotion occurs within the limbic system, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex.

Answer 6

Various parts of the brain are responsible for the activation of certain emotions. These are the limbic system, which is made up of the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex

Question 7

Communicate neurotransmission using a diagram

Answer 7

(Insert diagram)

Question 8

distinguish between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, with reference to Glutamate (Glu) and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA)

Answer 8

Neurotransmission is the communication between neurons. It allows messages from the environment to be processed by the brain and messages to be sent to the muscles so that action can occur. There are two types of synapses that are involved in the communication between neurons: Excitatory synapses and inhibitory synapses.
Excitatory synapses: Causes the target cell to become excited and more likely to fire and cause an action potential
Inhibitory synapses: Causes the target cell to become inhibited and less likely to fire and cause an action potential.
Glutamate: an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain involved in learning and memory
GABA: an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in arousal and sleep

Question 9

compare the physical and psychological functions of acetylcholine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin

Answer 9

Acetylcholine: a neurotransmitter in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system involved in muscle contractions learning and memory, and REM sleep
Eplnephrine: A neurotransmitter and hormone involved in stress responses
Norepinephrine: A neurotransmitter and hormone involved in stress response, alertness, arousal, emotional regualtion and attention
Dopamine: A neurotransmitter involved in thoughts, feelings, pleasure, motivation and behaviours
Serotonin: A neurotransmitter in the brain involved in the regulation of mood, sleep, eating, arousal and pain

Question 10

Discuss the impact of interference in neurotransmitter function, with reference to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease (symptoms and treatments).

Answer 10

Alzhimer’s Disease: Cause: Lack of an important memory neurotransmitter, acetylcholine caused by plaques and tangles in the brain. Plaques are insoluble clumps in between nerve cells that secrete toxic substance and kill neighbouring neurons. Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted neurons that prevent neurotransmitter from occuring.
Symptons: Memory loss, consfusion, difficulty learning new information, impaired attention.
Treatments: Increasing acetylcholine and cloinergic receptors through drug therarpy
Parkinson’s Disease: Cause: loss of dopamine due to cells in the basal Ganglia degenerating. This area of the brain is responsible for movement, so without enough dopamine a person can’t adequately control their body movements. Parkinson’s may stem from a combination of genetics and environmental factors such as pesticide use and lack of Vitamin B in the Diet.
Symptoms: Tremors, slowness in movement, uncoordinated movements, rigid movements, difficulty sleeping, reduced facial expressions.
Treatments: Drug treatment to increase dopamine, and physical therapy.