Neuroscience Core Concepts(Pre-Reading) Flashcards
How many nerve cells, or neurons, does a human brain contain?
Roughly 86 billion neurons.
Is it true that we only use a small fraction of our neurons?
False. We use all of the neurons in our brains.
What forms the nervous system?
Neurons exchange electrical signals with thousands of other neurons to create the countless circuits that, along with the nerves throughout our bodies, form the nervous system.
Name ALL the organisms that possess nervous systems similar to the human nervous system.
Roundworms, Fruit flies, Zebrafish, Salamandars, Mice, Monkeys
What systems does the nervous system communicate with to keep our bodies in sync?
- Cardiovascular system
- Gastrointestinal system
- Immune system
What is the estimated prevalence of neurological or psychiatric conditions worldwide?
One in four people.
What are some examples of neurological or psychiatric conditions mentioned?
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Depression
Fill in the blank: The human nervous system has evolved from much _______ beginnings.
[simpler]
True or False: The nervous system is completely independent from other bodily systems.
False.
What do these neurological and psychiatric problems often cause?
Financial and Social burdens
What serves as the body’s command center? Why?
The brain; Neurons communicate with each other
The brain is responsible for controlling thoughts and actions through neuronal communication.
How do neurons communicate with each other?
Using both electrical and chemical signals
Neurons relay messages throughout the body through these signals.
What are the electrical signals created by sensory neurons called?
Action potentials
Action potentials are rapid electrical signals that travel down a neuron.
What prevents electrical signals from crossing between two neurons?
The gap called a synapse
The synapse is the space where communication occurs between neurons.
How does the electrical signal go from neuron to neuron if it can’t cross the gap?
The action potential is transformed into a chemical message that can cross the gap
The transformation occurs at the synapse for communication between neurons.
What can trigger a second action potential in the receiving neuron?
The release of chemical messengers
Chemical messengers can convey the message onward or inhibit it.
What happens to the synapse with repeated activity? Why is that important?
It grows stronger; The next message is more likely to get through.
A stronger synapse increases the likelihood of message transmission.
How do neurons learn to pass on important messages? Why is that important?
Through repeated activity that strengthens synapses; The unimportant messages are ignored.
This process allows the brain to adapt and learn from experiences.
True or False: Neurons can both transmit and inhibit messages.
True
Neurons can convey messages or blunt the transmission depending on the chemical messenger released.
What are the circuits in your nervous system made up of?
Neurons
What circuit carries signals from sense receptors to your brain?
Sensory Circuit
What circuit sends commands to your muscles?
Motor circuits
What do simple circuits carry out?
Automatic reflexes
What higher-level activities require complex circuits?
Memory, decision-making, and perceiving the world
When do all these circuits arise?
Before you’re born
What directs neurons to assemble simple circuits in your developing brain?
Genes
How do simple circuits become more complex?
Through changes from new experiences and environments
When do changes in neurons and their connections primarily happen?
Mostly in childhood
What continues to happen to the brain over your whole life?
Building a better brain
Fill in the blank: Sensory circuits carry signals from sense receptors to your _______.
brain
True or False: Motor circuits are responsible for carrying signals from sense receptors.
False
What is the term used to describe the brain’s ability to change?
Plasticity
This term refers to the brain’s ability to strengthen, weaken, or create new connections between neurons.
What happens to the connections between neurons when you learn a new skill?
They strengthen or weaken, and new connections may be created
This process allows the brain to adapt to new experiences.
What is the significance of the brain’s capacity to change?
It allows recovery from injury or disease by rerouting connections and potentially growing new neurons
However, this process is typically slow.
What occurs to neurons during the development of the human brain?
An excess of neurons is grown
What is synaptic pruning?
The process of eliminating extra neurons early in life and keeping only necessary connections
This occurs early in life as the brain develops.
What can happen to unused neurons later in life?
They can wither away
This underscores the importance of keeping the brain engaged.
What types of activities help preserve neurons?
Physical and mental exercise
Engaging in these activities is crucial for maintaining brain health.
True or False: Most neurons in the brain are replaced throughout life.
False
Most of the neurons you have at birth will stick around for the rest of your life.
What ability does the brain have due to its interconnected neurons?
Understand the world, plan actions, and solve problems
What does the brain require to understand the world effectively?
To incorporate all available information
How does the brain create a picture of the world?
By combining information from all of the body’s senses
What processes does the brain use to make sense of the assembled picture?
Inference and instinct
What are emotions in the context of brain function and what do they do?
Value judgments that help the brain respond effectively to events
How does the brain form memories?
By associating pictures with feelings
What does the brain do with stored memories?
Learns from them and uses that knowledge in the future
What other tool is required for the brain to predict future events, calculate your next move, and devise plans for future opportunities?
Imagination
What is necessary for consciousness?
All brain activities function normally
What do the brain’s trillions of connections work together to do?
Understand the world, think about the future, and create…you
Fill in the blank: The brain uses _______ to respond to events.
[emotions]
True or False: The brain can only solve problems when it is not incorporating information from the senses.
False
Does the brain make or use emotions?
BOTH
What is one unique talent that makes humans special?
Our talent for talking
How do humans communicate compared to other animals?
In ways that are far more complex(i.e seen with our ability to talk)
What part of the human brain is primarily responsible for language? Why is it more amply wired for communication than animals?
Cerebral cortex; it’s enormous and is brimming with neural circuits dedicated to language.
What are the specific lobes of the cortex involved in language?
Temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes
What do neurons in the cerebral cortex form to interpret language?
Circuits
What processes do the language circuits in the brain perform?
Generate words, turn them into sounds, and understand sounds heard
When are human brains primed to learn language?
From birth
What does language endow humans with?
Thoughts and creativity
What abilities does language provide us?
Trade ideas and information, share observations, and allow others to build on discoveries
What has the development of language led to over time?
Human culture and inventions of modern society
How much electricity does the human brain run on?
25 watts
This is enough to power an LED light bulb.
How many different types of neurons are there in the brain?
Nearly 10,000 different types
This diversity contributes to the brain’s complex functions.
What drives us to understand our world from a very early age?
Curiosity
Curiosity is a special ability arising from our complex brains.
What has the study of neuroscience allowed us to learn about?
Individual neurons and their interactions
This includes how they work at a molecular level.
What can billions of neurons working together allow us to do?
Talk, learn, and imagine
These are fundamental cognitive functions.
What are some insights gained from neuroscience exploration?
Treatments for pain and Parkinson’s disease
More treatments are being developed as research progresses.
What psychological conditions is neuroscience helping to understand?
Depression and Alzheimer’s disease
These conditions are revealing their secrets through research.
True or False: Much remains to be learned about the brain.
True
Ongoing research continues to uncover more about brain functions.
Fill in the blank: The urge to scratch when we have an itch is __________.
irresistible
This behavior is an example of brain function and response.
How much do neurological and psychiatric conditions cost the U.S economy?
$1.5 Trillion
What do neuroscientists study?
The biology of nerves and the brain, in both animals and humans
Which medications has helped millions of patients beat the BACK-SYMPTOMS of parkinsons disease? When was this created?
L-Dopa; 1950’s and 60’s
What class of drugs was created to treat depression? When? Give an example of one such drug?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors; 1990’s; Prozac
What is sometimes more useful than the actual brain to study the brain?
A petri dish
What is a model of the developing human brain that scientists use to study how new cells are born called?
Neural Rosette
What cells are at the center of the Rosette? What do they do?
Precursor Cells; They are specialized cells that create new neurons and glia by dividing themselves
What is the red ring in a Rosette?
A visualization of the connections between these precursor cells.
What is the green lines in the Rosette?
As they generate new neurons and glia, the newborn cells radiate out from the center of the rosette to the outer edge of the brain using the precursor cells as a scaffolding.
