Unit 1 AOS 2 SAC Flashcards
Hindbrain
controls basic survival functions that we do unconsiously
Hindbrain main structures
Medulla, Cerebellum, Pons
Midbrain
keep us alert, awake and vigilant
Midbrain structure
Reticular formation
Forebrain
responsible for complex functions like emotions, motivations, sensations, perceptions, learning and memory
forebrain structures
Thalamus, hypothalamus, cerebrum
medulla
regulates all organs vital for life functioning
cerebellum
Coordinates voluntary movement and balance
pons
responsible for sleep and arousal
reticular formation
helps in focusing selective attention, alertness and physiological arousal
Thalamus
relays all sensory information except smell to the brain
Hypothlamus
Regulates body temperature, sleep wake cycle, sex drive, hunger, thirst and hormone secretion
Cerebrum
higher cognitive functioning, voluntary movements, emotions and personality
Cerebral cortex
outer layer of the brain, divided into cortical lobes, known as the Frontal lobe, Temporal lobe, Occipital lobe and Parietal lobe.
Frontal Lobe
In charge of movement and speech. primary area is primary motor cotex, which controls movement
frontal lobe association areas
Association areas recieve and combine information from other areas of the brain. Also in charge of planning and carrying out movement, personality, language, judgement, emotions and attention
broca’s area
in LEFT frontal lobe only, in charge of production of speech
temporal lobe
in charge of hearing and memory. Primary area is Primary Auditory cortex which recieves and processes sounds. Left auditory cortex processes verbal sounds (words) and right processes non-verbal sounds (music)
temporal lobe association areas
important role in memory, remembering facts, procedures, events, object and facial recognition.
Wernicke’s area
in LEFT temporal lobe only, in charge of understanding speech
Occipital lobe
In charge of vision, primary area is the primary visual cortex, which specialises in the processing of visual information, which is sent to the cortex via the eye receptors and thalamus.
Occiptal lobe association areas
Transforms visual information into complete pictures, integrates visual information from other areas in the brain
Parietal lobe
Sensory and spatial reasoning. Primary area is the primary somatosensory cortex, which recieves and controls sensory information from the skin
Parietal lobe association areas
Sense of touch, motion detection, Location of objects in space, attention and spatial reasoning
Neuroplasticity
the brain’s ability to grow and change throughout the lifespan. When an individual’s neurons and their connections, as a result of learning, experience and brain trauma
developmental plasticity
changes in your brain as a result of learning new things, gaining experience and developing
adaptive plasticity
changes in your brain that occur after brain damage, to re-establish connections and enable the brain to continue working like it used to.
Long term potation
the long lasting strengthening of neural connections in the brain due to repeated stimulation
Brain damage
can occur through disease or trauma as well as the use of drugs and alcohol
Rerouting
healthy neurons seek an alternative route when existing connections are lost
Sprouting
existing neurons form new axon terminals and dendrites to allow new connections to be made
Maximising and maintaining our brain
Mental stimulation - any activity that activates or enriches the mind
good diet and exercise
Dendrites
branch like extensions on a neuron, passes info and is connected to the cell body
cell body
contains the nucleus, brain of the neuron, passes information to the axon
axon
nerve fibre of neuron, goes through the whole thing. transmits information to other neurons
Myelin Sheath
Layer of insulation around the axon which protects and speeds up electrical charge
Axon terminal/Axon buttons
end of the neuron, connects to other dendrites to pass information
Aquired brain injury (ABI)
the result of damage to the brain that happens after birth at any time during life
Causes of ABI
physical injury, disease or infection, oxygen deprivation to the whole body or brain, poisoning or drugs or alcohol and brain tumours
effect of ABI on biological factors
change in organ function, seizures, loss or increased sensitivity of smell or some smells
effect of ABI on pscychological factors
changes in cognition, behaviour, personality, emotion and memory loss, impusivity and irritability
effect of ABI on social factors
relationships, interations in the environment and interpersonal skills
Examples of ABI
Stroke, Spatial neglect and Aphasia
what is CTE
a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated impacts to the head. It is progressive and fatal. The brain movement inside the skull causes a buildup of Tau protein.
Causes of CTE
Contact sports (boxing, AFL, NFL), military exposure to blast impacts, head banging and domestic violence. Other possible risk factors include timing, genetics, severity, location and lifestyle
Symptoms of CTE
impairments in decision making, attention and concentration, memory loss, depression, anxiety and paranoia and aggression and emotional outbursts.
Difficulties in diagnosing CTE
Very similar to Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological disorders
Can only be diagnosed in autopsy
Phrenology
Assessing a person’s personality and intelligence through feeling the bumps on their skull
Pseudosciences
a false science that is mistakenly regarded as being based on a scientific method, e.g. Astrology (Star Signs), Phrenology and Palmistry
Psychology
The study of the brain and its functions. Derived from philosophy, which involves making predictions on human behaviour but is not based on evidence, and natural science, which is based on evidence
Split brain surgery
Involves cutting the band of nerve tissure connecting the hemispheres of the brain (corpus callosum) to reduce the effect of epileptic seizures.
What happened to Phineas Gage?
While working on a rail line, Gage was using gunpowder to blow up a large rock, packing it in with a large metal rod. Then, accidentally the gunpowder sparked and blew the metal rod into Gage’s cheek and all the way through the top of his skull, through his frontal lobe.
What did we learn from Phineas Gage’s accident?
It taught psychologists that the frontal lobe was mostly in charge of emotions, personality, motor movements and cognitive funtions like memory and problem solving, as this is what Gage had problems with after his accident
Case study
an investigation of a particular activity, behaviour or event that contains a real or hypothetical situation and real world complexities
Hemispheric specialisation
some functions are only located in one side of the brain.
corpus callosum
a thick bundle of nerves connecting the 2 hemispheres that allows them to communicate
Right side hemispheric specialisation
creativity, appreaciation for art and music, spatial reasoning and facial recognition
left side hemispheric specialisation
logical reasoning. verbal tasks including comprehension, reading and writing, and also analytical thinking.
Central nervous system
Made up of brain and spinal cord. has 2 main functions - carry motor information from the brain and receive sensory information which travels to the brain
peripheral nervous system
network of neurons outside the CNS. connects CNS to organs. divided into somatic and autonomic systems
Somatic nervous system
mainly involved with external, carry out voluntary movement and convey sensory information
autonomic nervous system
mainly involved with internal. self regulating, and divided into sympathetic (body reacting to potentially dangerous situations) and parasympathetic (helps maintain stability)
types of neurons
sensory, motor and interneurons
neurodiversity
the idea that every human has a unique nervous system with a different combination of abilities and
needs
experience dependant plasticity
changes that occur due to individual experience
experience expectant plasticity
changes that occur due to specific environmental cues that the brain expects to be exposed
experience independant plasticity
changes in the brain that occur regardless of experience, genetically predetermined
long term depression
the long lasting weakening of neural connections in the brain due to not exercising the information
synaptic pruning
when the brain removes neurons and synapses it doesn’t need
synaptogenesis
the formation of new synapses
