Neurobiology Week 6 Flashcards
The brain uses ______ and ______, delivered via the blood.
oxygen and glucose
metabolites
A substance necessary for a living organism to maintain life.
using 20% of the oxygen and calories we consume despite being only 2% of our total weight.
brainstem
The “trunk” of the brain comprised of the medulla, pons, midbrain, and diencephalon.
regulating our respiration (breathing), heart rate, and digestion.
Cerebellum
A nervous system structure behind and below the cerebrum. Controls motor movement coordination, balance, equilibrium, and muscle tone.
cerebrum
Consists of left and right hemispheres that sit at the top of the nervous system and engages in a variety of higher-order functions.
cerebral hemispheres
The cerebral cortex, underlying white matter, and subcortical structures.
cognitive abilities and conscious experience.
cerebral cortex
The outermost gray matter of the cerebrum; the distinctive convolutions characteristic of the mammalian brain.
largest and most visible part of the brain
subcortal structures
Structures that lie beneath the cerebral cortex, but above the brain stem.
gyri
(plural) Folds between sulci in the cortex.
sulci
(plural) Grooves separating folds of the cortex.
gyrus
(plural form, gyri) A bulge that is raised between or among fissures of the convoluted brain.
sulcus
(plural form, sulci) The crevices or fissures formed by convolutions in the brain.
The two cerebral hemispheres can be further subdivided into four lobes:
- occipital
- temporal
- parietal
- frontal lobes.
occipital lobe
The back part of the cerebrum, which houses the visual areas.
- Sight
temporal lobe
An area of the cerebrum that lies below the lateral sulcus; it contains auditory and olfactory (smell) projection regions.
memory, and multisensory integration (e.g., the convergence of vision and audition).
- hearing and smell
parietal lobe
An area of the cerebrum just behind the central sulcus that is engaged with somatosensory and gustatory sensation.
somatosensory cortex
The region of the parietal lobe responsible for bodily sensations; the somatosensory cortex has a contralateral representation of the human body.
- body sensations
frontal lobe
The most forward region (close to forehead) of the cerebral hemispheres.
motor cortex
Region of the frontal lobe responsible for voluntary movement; the motor cortex has a contralateral representation of the human body.
- motor planning, language, judgment, and decision-making
basal ganglia
Subcortical structures of the cerebral hemispheres involved in voluntary movement.
limbic system
A loosely defined network of nuclei in the brain involved with learning and emotion.
The two cerebral hemispheres are connected by a dense bundle of white matter tracts called the _______.
corpus callosum
contrelatoral representation
Literally “opposite side”; used to refer to the fact that the two hemispheres of the brain process sensory information and motor commands for the opposite side of the body (e.g., the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body).
lateralized
To the side; used to refer to the fact that specific functions may reside primarily in one hemisphere or the other (e.g., for the majority individuals, the left hemisphere is most responsible for language).
callosotomy
Surgical procedure in which the corpus callosum is severed (used to control severe epilepsy).
split brain patients
A patient who has had most or all of his or her corpus callosum severed.
visual hemifield
The half of visual space (what we see) on one side of fixation (where we are looking); the left hemisphere is responsible for the right visual hemifield, and the right hemisphere is responsible for the left visual hemifield.
gray matter
Composes the bark or the cortex of the cerebrum and consists of the cell bodies of the neurons (see also white matter).
white matter
Regions of the nervous system that represent the axons of the nerve cells; whitish in color because of myelination of the nerve cells.
myelin
Fatty tissue, produced by glial cells (see module, “Neurons”) that insulates the axons of the neurons; myelin is necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses among neurons.
converging evidence
Similar findings reported from multiple studies using different methods.
phrenolgy
A now-discredited field of brain study, popular in the first half of the 19th century that correlated bumps and indentations of the skull with specific functions of the brain.
spacial resolution
A term that refers to how small the elements of an image are; high spatial resolution means the device or technique can resolve very small elements; in neuroscience it describes how small of a structure in the brain can be imaged.
what are lesions?
A region in the brain that suffered damage through injury, disease, or medical intervention.
define ablate
Surgical removal of brain tissue.
case studies
A thorough study of a patient (or a few patients) with naturally occurring lesions.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
A neuroscience technique whereby a brief magnetic pulse is applied to the head that temporarily induces a weak electrical current that interferes with ongoing activity.
temporal resolution
A term that refers to how small a unit of time can be measured; high temporal resolution means capable of resolving very small units of time; in neuroscience it describes how precisely in time a process can be measured in the brain.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
A neuroscience technique that passes mild electrical current directly through a brain area by placing small electrodes on the skull.
Positron emission tomography (PET)
A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting the presence of a radioactive substance in the brain that is initially injected into the bloodstream and then pulled in by active brain tissue.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): A neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in oxygen levels in the blood.
Electroencephalography (EEG)
A neuroimaging technique that measures electrical brain activity via multiple electrodes on the scalp.
much greater temporal resolution (millisecond precision rather than seconds) than PET or fMRI.
Diffuse optical imaging (DOI)
A neuroimaging technique that infers brain activity by measuring changes in light as it is passed through the skull and surface of the brain.
Which of the following would NOT be considered a structure that is part of the limbic system?
a. the pituitary gland.
b. the thalamus.
c. the medulla.
d. the hypothalamus.
e. the amygdala
the medulla
Name and describe the basic function of the brain stem, cerebellum, and cerebral hemispheres.
Name and describe the basic function of the four cerebral lobes: occipital, temporal, parietal, and frontal cortex.
Describe a split-brain patient and at least two important aspects of brain function that these patients reveal.
Distinguish between gray and white matter of the cerebral hemispheres.
Name and describe the most common approaches to studying the human brain.
Distinguish among four neuroimaging methods: PET, fMRI, EEG, and DOI.
Describe the difference between spatial and temporal resolution with regard to brain function.
Phineas Gage
pole through the head
Gage lost a portion of his left frontal lobe in the accident, but survived and lived for another 12 years.
psychophysiological measures
Any research method in which the dependent variable is a physiological measure and the independent variable is behavioral or mental (such as memory).
neuroscience methods
A research method that deals with the structure or function of the nervous system and brain.
define invasive
A procedure that involves the skin being broken or an instrument or chemical being introduced into a body cavity.
define noninvasive
A procedure that does not require the insertion of an instrument or chemical through the skin or into a body cavity.
The adult human brain only makes up about ______% (i.e. ≈ 3 pounds) of the average adult’s weight, but it uses _______% of the body’s energy!
2% weight
20% energy
what is hemoglobin?
The oxygen-carrying portion of a red blood cell.
oxygenated hemoglobin
deoxygenated hemoglobin
Hemoglobin carrying oxygen.
Hemoglobin not carrying oxygen.
blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal
The signal typically measured in fMRI that results from changes in the ratio of oxygenated hemoglobin to deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood.
temporal resolution
A term that refers to how small a unit of time can be measured; high temporal resolution means capable of resolving very small units of time; in neuroscience it describes how precisely in time a process can be measured in the brain.
spatial resolution
A term that refers to how small the elements of an image are; high spatial resolution means the device or technique can resolve very small elements; in neuroscience it describes how small of a structure in the brain can be imaged.
- the ability to distinguish one object from another in space
voltage
The difference in electric charge between two points.
position particle
A particle having the same mass and numerically equal but positive charge as an electron.
depolarization
A change in a cell’s membrane potential, making the inside of the cell more positive and increasing the chance of an action potential.
hyperpolarization
A change in a cell’s membrane potential, making the inside of the cell more negative and decreasing the chance of an action potential.
neural plasticty
The ability of synapses and neural pathways to change over time and adapt to changes in neural process, behavior, or environment.
peripheril nervous system
The part of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord.
sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
One of the two major divisions of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for stimulation of “fight or flight” activities.
- activates sweat glands
parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
One of the two major divisions of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for stimulation of “rest and digest” activities.
Which of the following brain imaging techniques provides the highest level of temporal resolution?
a. electroencephalography (EEG).
b. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
c. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
d. computer tomography (CT).
e. positron emission tomography (PET)
electroencephalography (EEG).
Irene has been having migraines lately and she goes to visit her doctor. Her doctor sends her to have a brain imaging test that will measure changes in the naturally occurring oxygen in the blood in her brain. Which type of procedure is Irene going to have?
a. diffuse optical imaging (DOI).
b. positron emission tomography (PET).
c. bilateral electroconvulsive viewing (BEV).
d. electromyography (EMG).
e. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Dr. Morales is interested in studying how very small facial movements can be an early indicator of emotional response. Which measure would Dr. Morales likely use to measure very small facial movements?
a. electromyography (EMG).
b. positron emission tomography (PET).
c. diffuse optical imaging (DOI).
functional magnetic resonance
d. imaging (fMRI).
e. bilateral electroconvulsive viewing (BEV)
electromyography (EMG)
The ______ nervous system includes nerves and neurons that are located outside of the brain and spinal cord, and facilitates communication to other parts of the body.
peripheral
Learn what qualifies as psychophysiology within the broader field of neuroscience.
Review and compare several examples of psychophysiological methods.
Understand advantages and disadvantages of different psychophysiological methods.
homo habilis
A human ancestor, handy man, that lived two million years ago.
homo sapiens
Modern man, the only surviving form of the genus Homo.
ectoderm
The outermost layer of a developing fetus.
neural induction
A process that causes the formation of the neural tube.
rostrocaudal
A front-back plane used to identify anatomical structures in the body and the brain.
spina bifida
A developmental disease of the spinal cord, where the neural tube does not close caudally.
forebrain
A part of the nervous system that contains the cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, and hypothalamus.
neuroblasts
Brain progenitor cells that asymmetrically divide into other neuroblasts or nerve cells.
neuroepithileum
The lining of the neural tube.
neural crest
A set of primordial neurons that migrate outside the neural tube and give rise to sensory and autonomic neurons in the peripheral nervous system.
autonomic nervous systems
A part of the peripheral nervous system that connects to glands and smooth muscles. Consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
somatic nervous system
A part of the peripheral nervous system that uses cranial and spinal nerves in volitional actions.
cranial nerves (___ pairs) and spinal nerves (____ pairs)
12
31
parasympathetic nervous systems
A division of the autonomic nervous system that is slower than its counterpart—that is, the sympathetic nervous system—and works in opposition to it. Generally engaged in “rest and digest” functions.
sympathetic nervous system
A division of the autonomic nervous system, that is faster than its counterpart that is the parasympathetic nervous system and works in opposition to it. Generally engaged in “fight or flight” functions.
gogogogogo or stopstopstop
cerebrum
Consists of left and right hemispheres that sit at the top of the nervous system and engages in a variety of higher-order functions.
sulcus
(plural form, sulci) The crevices or fissures formed by convolutions in the brain.
gyrus
(plural form, gyri) A bulge that is raised between or among fissures of the convoluted brain.
central sulcus
The major fissure that divides the frontal and the parietal lobes.
lateral sulcus
The major fissure that delineates the temporal lobe below the frontal and the parietal lobes.
temporal lobe
An area of the cerebrum that lies below the lateral sulcus; it contains auditory and olfactory (smell) projection regions.
primary motor cortex
A strip of cortex just in front of the central sulcus that is involved with motor control.
magnification factor
Cortical space projected by an area of sensory input (e.g., mm of cortex per degree of visual field).
Broceas area
An area in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere. Implicated in language production.
left frontal lobe
The most forward region (close to forehead) of the cerebral hemispheres.
- language production.
Pierre Paul Broca - aphasias
Due to damage of the Broca’s area. An inability to produce or understand words.
working memory
The form of memory we use to hold onto information temporarily, usually for the purposes of manipulation.
parietal lobe
An area of the cerebrum just behind the central sulcus that is engaged with somatosensory and gustatory sensation.
primary somatosensory cortex
A strip of cerebral tissue just behind the central sulcus engaged in sensory reception of bodily sensations.
Wernicke’s area
A language area in the temporal lobe where linguistic information is comprehended (Also see Broca’s area).
arcuate fasciculus
A fiber tract that connects Wernicke’s and Broca’s speech areas.
agnosias
Due to damage of Wernicke’s area. An inability to recognize objects, words, or faces.
occipital lobe
The back part of the cerebrum, which houses the visual areas.
thalamus
A part of the diencephalon that works as a gateway for incoming and outgoing information.
transduction
A process in which physical energy converts into neural energy.
limbic system
A loosely defined network of nuclei in the brain involved with learning and emotion.
hippocampus
(plural form, hippocampi) A nucleus inside (medial) the temporal lobe implicated in learning and memory.
fornix
(plural form, fornices) A nerve fiber tract that connects the hippocampus to mammillary bodies.
cingulate gyrus
A medial cortical portion of the nervous tissue that is a part of the limbic system.
globas palidus
A nucleus of the basal ganglia.
hypothalemus
Part of the diencephalon. Regulates biological drives with pituitary gland.
what is the pons?
A bridge that connects the cerebral cortex with the medulla, and reciprocally transfers information back and forth between the brain and the spinal cord.
medulla oblongata
An area just above the spinal cord that processes breathing, digestion, heart and blood vessel function, swallowing, and sneezing.
cerebellum
A nervous system structure behind and below the cerebrum. Controls motor movement coordination, balance, equilibrium, and muscle tone.
gray matter
Composes the bark or the cortex of the cerebrum and consists of the cell bodies of the neurons
white matter
Regions of the nervous system that represent the axons of the nerve cells; whitish in color because of myelination of the nerve cells.
immunocytochemistry
A method of staining tissue including the brain, using antibodies.
lesion studies
A surgical method in which a part of the animal brain is removed to study its effects on behavior or function.
event-related potentials
A physiological measure of large electrical change in the brain produced by sensory stimulation or motor responses.
computerized axial tomography
A noninvasive brain-scanning procedure that uses X-ray absorption around the head.
Magentic resonance imaging MRI
brain imaging noninvasive technique that uses magnetic energy to generate brain images (also see fMRI).
Positron Emission Tomography PET
An invasive procedure that captures brain images with positron emissions from the brain after the individual has been injected with radio-labeled isotopes.
amygdala
fearful and anxious emotions
hippocampus
memory
septal nuclei
pleasure, reward, reinforcement
mammillary body
connections with amydala and hippocampus
fornix
fibre bundle carries info from hippocampus to mammillary body and then on to thalemus
hypothalemus
hormone release
This system is generally engaged in “rest and digest” functions
the parasympathetic nervous system
This system is generally engaged in “fight or flight” functions
the sympathetic nervous system
The crevices/fissures in the brain (where the brain “dips down”) are called:
sulci
The area of the brain associated with language production is known as
Brocea’s area
The area of the brain associated with somatosensory and gustatory sensation is:
the parietal lobe
Describe and understand the development of the nervous system.
Learn and understand the two important parts of the nervous system.
Explain the two systems in the peripheral nervous system and what you know about the different regions and areas of the central nervous system.
Learn and describe different techniques of studying the nervous system. Understand which of these techniques are important for cognitive neuroscientists.
Describe the reasons for studying different nervous systems in animals other than human beings. Explain what lessons we learn from the evolutionary history of this organ.
central nervous system
brain
spine
central nerves
periphoral nervous sytem
periphoral nerves
