Neural Basis of Behavior (Pt. 2)

Question 1

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Answer 1

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It is primarily used to treat depression and other neurological disorders by modulating brain activity. TMS can help improve mood, cognitive function, and motor control by targeting specific brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex.

Question 2

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 2

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive method that records electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. It is used to diagnose conditions like epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain dysfunction by detecting abnormal brain wave patterns.

Question 3

CT scan

Answer 3

A Computed Tomography (CT) scan is an imaging technique that uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body, including the brain. It is commonly used to detect tumors, brain injuries, bleeding, and structural abnormalities

Question 4

PET scan

Answer 4

A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is a functional imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to detect metabolic activity in tissues. It helps diagnose conditions like cancer, brain disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s), and assess brain function by showing how different areas use energy.

Question 5

MRI

Answer 5

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues, including the brain. It is used to detect tumors, brain injuries, strokes, and neurological disorders without using radiation.

Question 6

Brain Stem

Question 7

Medulla

Answer 7

Plays an important role in vital body functions like heart rate and respiration. Damages cause death or life support.

Question 8

Pons

Answer 8

Helps control vital functions like respiration, controls muscles and the glands of the face and neck. Damage causes death

Question 9

Cerebellum

Answer 9

Primarily concerned with muscular movement coordination, but also plays a role in learning and memory. Disrupted by alcohol, damage results in motor disturbances such as inability to walk. Motion looks jerky

Question 10

Midbrain

Answer 10

Contains clusters of sensory and motor neurons. The midbrain relays information to visual and auditory centres

Question 11

Reticular Formation

Answer 11

Acts as a sentry alerting other areas of the brain that there are messages, then either blocks or relay the messages. It plays a role in sleep, consciousness, and attention. Damage could result in a coma

Question 12

Forebrain

Answer 12

Consists of two large cerebral hemispheres, that wrap around the brain stem

Question 13

Thalamus

Answer 13

Important sensory and relay station. Contains major relay structures for visual, auditory, and body senses

Question 14

Basal Ganglia

Answer 14

Critical for voluntary motor control. Damage can result in Parkinson’s or paralysis

Question 15

Hypothalamus

Answer 15

Plays a role in controlling many different basic biological drives such as sexual behaviour, temperature regulation, eating, drinking, aggression, and the expression of emotions. Damage can disrupt these behaviours

Question 16

Limbic system

Answer 16

Involved in memory and helps to coordinate behaviours needed to satisfy motivational and emotional urges that arise in the hypothalamus. Damage would result in an inability to carry out organized sequences of events

Question 17

Hippocampus

Answer 17

Involved in forming and retrieving memories. Damage could result in memory loss or inability to transfer information from short to long term

Question 18

Amygdala

Answer 18

Organizes emotional response patterns, particularly those linked to fear or aggression.

Question 19

Nucleus accumbens

Answer 19

Important for reward and motivation

Question 20

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 20

Involved in mental processes such as thought, memory, and perception

Question 21

Frontal lobe

Answer 21

Controls Speech and skeletal motor functions

Question 22

Parietal Lobe

Answer 22

Controls body sensations

Question 23

Occipital Lobe

Answer 23

The visual area of the brain

Question 24

Temporal Lobe

Answer 24

Receives messages from the auditory system

Question 25

Motor Cortex

Answer 25

Controls the muscles in the body. Damage could result in paralysis. Right controls left and vice versa

Question 26

Somatic Sensory Cortex

Answer 26

Receives sensory input that gives rise to our sensations of heat, touch, cold, and our senses of balance

Question 27

Wernicke’s Area

Answer 27

Found in the temporal lobe, and it is involved in language and comprehension. Damage causes an inability to understand written or spoken speech

Question 28

Broca’s Area

Answer 28

Found in the frontal lobe and is necessary for normal speech production. Damage causes an inability to speak

Question 29

Association Cortex

Answer 29

Found within all lobes of the cerebral cortex, and is involved in the highest level of mental functions such as perception, language, and thought. Damage causes disruption or loss of function for speech, understanding, thinking, and problem solving

Question 30

Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 30

Controls abilities such as goal setting, judgement, strategic planning, and impulse control. Damage results in an inability to see how actions affect their future

Question 31

Corpus Callosum

Answer 31

A neural link that bridges the two hemispheres and allows them to work as a single unit

Question 32

Lateralization

Answer 32

Refers to the relatively greater localization of a function in one hemisphere over the other

Question 33

Aphasia

Answer 33

The partial or total loss of the ability to communicate using language