The Biology Of The Mind Pt. 1 Flashcards
What is neuroplasticity?
when the brain adapts to changes through experiences by integrating information to connect our experiences
our environment affects our behavior and mental processes!
What is the purpose of the nervous system?
electrochemical communication network that involves nerve cells in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
What are the three types of neurons?
sensory - incoming info from the tissues and sensory receptors are carried to the brain + spinal cord
motor - outgoing info from the brain and spinal cord that gets sent to the muscles and glands
interneurons - communicate internally and process information between sensory and motor outputs; located between brain and spinal cord
What is the central nervous system’s function and what does it consist of?
the division of the nervous system that contains the brain and spinal cord to make decisions for the body
What is the peripheral nervous system’s function?
division of the nervous system that gathers information and carrying out decisions from the CNS to other body parts
What are the two subsystems of the PNS?
SOMATIC = voluntary control of skeletal movement
- spinal cord that receives signals from senses and carries to and from brain
- organize simple rhythmic skeletal muscle activity + organize reflexes
AUTONOMIC = involuntary control of skeletal movement
- responsible for homeostasis
1. sympathetic = arouses and spends energy for fight/flight = voluntary control of skeletal muscles
2. parasympathetic = calms and preserves energy to rest and digest = maintenance of involuntary muscles + glands
What does it mean by older brain structures?
deeper structures of the brain ; the base
What is the brainstem responsible for and what does it consist of?
oldest, innermost regions responsible for basic/automatic survival functions
- medulla - heartbeat, bp, + breathing
- pons - coordinate involuntary movement + sleep
- reticular formation - control arousal
What is the thalamus responsible for?
transport sensory info from cortex and transmits replies to cerebellum + medulla
- influences multitasking
- sits on top of brainstem
What is the cerebellum responsible for?
coordinates voluntary, fluid movement and life-sustaining functions
- judgment of time, sound, texture, and emotional control
enable nonverbal learning + skill memory
What is the limbic system responsible for and what does it consist of?
controls emotions and memory
1. hypothalamus = maintain endocrine system
- emotion + reward
2. amygdala = two lima shaped bean sized neural clusters linked to anger and fear
3. hippocampus = form new memories
- decreases in age and function as age progresses
What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?
control and processing via interconnected cells that cover the cerebral hemispheres
How many lobes do each hemisphere have?
4
What are the different lobes and their functions?
frontal = planning, decision making, speaking + motor cortex
parietal = sensory input in relation to touch + body position + somatosensory cortex
occipital = visual
temporal = auditory processing
Who is phineas gage?
a patient who has a steel bar go through his left eye and brain = personality change from organized to impulsive
