PSYCHOBIOLOGY: things to do with a brain Flashcards
describe what is meant by a contralateral process
input from the right side/visual field is processed in the left hemisphere of the brain & vice versa
describe the transmission & interpretation of sensory signals
signals from the diencephalon are relayed to the appropriate primary sensory cortex
- visual signals are relayed to the visual cortex
how are sensory signals interpreted?
dependent on the location the signal is detected at
- before this they are identical
what is topographic representation?
in sensory regions, signals arrive at positions corresponding to the position of receptor cells
what is a somatotopic map?
body shape is mapped onto somatosensory cortex
- signals from hand arrive in hand then arm then shoulder etc
what is a retinotopic map?
visual signals from neighbouring retinal positions arrive at neighbouring positions in the primary visual cortex
what is a tonotopic map?
auditory signals from adjacent areas of the cochlea arrive at adjacent areas in the primary auditory cortex
what is a feed forward signal transmission?
input comes from earlier, functionally lower processing stages
what is a feedback signal transmission?
input comes from functionally higher processing stages
what are cortical motor areas?
located in the frontal cortex at the boundary to the parietal cortex
what is the supplementary motor cortex & premotor cortex for?
planning, monitoring & sensory guidance of movements
what is the primary motor cortex for?
final execution stage, motor neurons send axons directly down the spinal cord
which subcortical structures interconnect cortical motor areas?
basal ganglia - modulates movements & involved in selective inhibition of movement
cerebellum - maintaining posture & balance, timing of movement & motor learning
- receives input from motor cortex, sensory cortex & other subcortical structures
