Neuroscience and The Human Brain Flashcards
Who was Charles Whitman?
Stabbed mother and wife to death, climbed a tower and shot people.
Tumor in brain
compressed amygdala, causing changes in emotional regulation and fear/aggression
Pattern of Brain Evolution
reptiles - survive/maintain life
Mouse - Instinct/emotion/memory
Primates - Cognition, problem-solving, social skills, art, prediction etc.
What is included in the primitive brainstem?
Medulla Oblongata
Cerebellum
Midbrain
Function: Medulla Oblongata
Coordinate info
Breathing rate, rhythm, BP, reflex
Biological
Function: Cerebellum
Coordinate subconscious regulation of VOLUNTARY movements
Posture and balance
Function: Midbrain
Maintain muscle tone
send sensory data to forebrain
Alertness
What is part of the Advanced forebrain?
Hypothalamus
Limbic system
Thalamus
Cerebrum
Function: Hypothalamus
regulate homeostasis
integrate endocrine system
Function: Limbic System
Emotional brain
Olfaction
Memory
INCLUDES AMYGDALA
Function: Thalamus
Gateway to consciousness
Relay info to snd from cerebrum
Four lobes of cerebrum
Occipital
Frontal
Temporal
Parietal
Where is: Occipital
Back
above cerebellum
where is: Temporal
Sides
Temples
Where is: Parietal
Top of head
Between frontal and occipital
Where is: Frontal
Front
Obviously
Function: Cerebrum
Cerebral Cortex, neocortex
Capacity to talk
Calculate
Art
Perception
Separation of Cerebral Cortex
2 halves
:ongitudinal fissure
extensive connections between halves
Control opposite sides of boddy
Precentral Gyrus
Motor cortex
Post central gyrus
Sensory cortex
Define Neuron
Specialized electrically excitable cell
Define Dendrite
Antenna
Receive information from different cells.
Cell Body
Information is Processed
Axons
Processed info passed through to other cells
Extension of neuron, carries AP away from body taward other neuron/target
Synapses
axon terminal connection
cite of transfer
Why aren’t all cells excitable?
Most cells do not contain ion channels, electrical current/AP is impossible
Simple Diffusion
Molecules slip between phospholipids
Oxygen, water, CO2
Small hydrophillic molecules
Facilitated Diffusion
Diffusion Facilitated by channel/carrier proteins
channel: Water/ions
carrier: Ions, charged/uncharged particles
Active Transport
Energy input required
Carrier proteins
ions, various charged/uncharged molecules
Resting Membrane Potential
At rest, more -ve ions inside cell than outside
-70mV
Neuronal Stimulation
If sufficiently stimulated, triggers ion channels to open
+ve Na ions can now cross
Depolarization at axon hillock -> AP in axon
Action Potentials
Self-sustaining electrical signal travelling away from body of neuron
Move only in one direction.
One is not stronger than another
All or none event
Myelination
Carries signals faster
Myelin = insulating sheath of fatty material produced by glial cells, surrounding axon
Define: Nerve
Many individual neurons bundled together with supporting cells, blood vessels, connective tissue to form communication pathway
Nodes of Ranvier
Unmyelinated gaps, site of action potentials
Ganglion
Cluster of neuronal cell bodies that serves as a local/regional intergating centre
Between PNS and CNS
Which Invertebrates have the most complex brains?
Mollusks and Octopi/squid, though vertebrates are more complex
Autonomic
Involuntary
Glial Cell
Support cell, more common
How many pairs of nerves are in humans?
31
Interneurons
Only in CNS, primarily in spinal cord
Process/pass info in 3 ways:
- Directly to motor neuron
- up tto brain for further processing
- Both at same time
Grey matter
Unmyelinated
Somatic
Voluntary
Sympathetic
Fight or flight
Parasympathetic
Reduce HR, Relaxation
AP CAN ONLY HAPPEN AT
Nodes of Ranvier
Synaptic Cleft
Tiny, fluid-filled gap between cells
Acetylcholine
Muscle Contractions
Epinephrine
Increase HR and elevate bp
Fight or flight
Norepinephrine
Stim fight or flight, increase alertness
Dopamine
affects muscle activity
Pleasure centre
Glutamate
The common neurotransmitter in invertebrates
Learning, memory
GABA
Muscle coordination
Midbrain
Movement, motivation
loss of dopamine here -> parkinsons
Hindbrain
MO, pons, cerebellum
Subconscious
Vision
More densely packed retina, crispier image
Fovea
Centre of retina
more compact,
Crispiest image
eyes far apart
Good peripheral to see predators
eyes close
depth perception
Hearing
Air is compacted, travels at speed of sound, about 1209km/hr, pressure is greater than outside wave, enters ears, mechanoreceptors transform it into electric impulses, processed in brain
Loudness of sound reflects:
Intensity of pressure changes
Outer ear
Pinna
Auditory canal
Ear drum
Estachian tube
Function: Pinna
Curled cartilage
Concentrates sound energy
Function: Ear drum
Vibrate in response to air pressure, convert energy to movements
function: Estaschian Tube
Equalizes pressure
middle ear to throat
Middle ear
Three tiniest bones
Cochlea
Organ of Corti
Basilar membrane
Cochlea
Coiled, fluid filled tube
Organ of corti
Inside cochlea, converts mechanical sound into pattern of nerve impulses
Function: Basilar Membrane
vibrates in response to vibrations in middle ear
Louder = greater movement
Function: Vestibule
Structure in ear that maintains balance
Otoloith
Signal direction of gravitational pull
dense crystals of calcium carbonate
Vestiubal apparatus
3 fluid-fulled sacs
Moves when you rotate you head
