Week 2/3-neurons

Question 1

Name and describe functions for diagram of neuron

Answer 1

Nucleus: characteristics of cell (contain DNA)

Axon: Efferent (transmit) to other neurons or target organs

Myelin sheath: insulates, protects nerve fibre + aids in speed up nerve conduction

Dendrites
many branches, Afferent (receive) from other cells via synaptic sites through its specialized receptors

Nodes of ranvier:

Question 2

What are cranial nerves?

Answer 2

part of the PNS
-emerging directly from the brain and brainstem to exchange info bwn brain and mainly head and neck. -Each is paired and present on both sides.

Question 3

Which cranial nerves are relevant for speech and language?

Answer 3

Trigeminal Nerve (V): Controls jaw muscles

Facial Nerve (VII): Controls facial muscles

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX): contributes to soft palate elevation and pharynx movement.

Vagus Nerve (X): Controls the vocal cords in the larynx

Accessory Nerve (XI): Assists in head and neck movement

Hypoglossal Nerve (XII): Controls tongue movement

Question 4

How is trigeminal nerve relevant for speech language? provide number.

Answer 4

Controls jaw muscles for articulation and mastication, enabling precise movements for clear speech.
-V

Question 5

How is facial nerve relevant for speech language? provide number.

Answer 5

Controls facial muscles for expression, lip movement, and articulation.
-VII

Question 6

How is Glossopharyngeal nerve relevant for speech language? provide number.

Answer 6

Aids in resonance and phonation by contributing to soft palate elevation and pharynx movement.
-IX

Question 7

How is Vagus nerve relevant for speech language? provide number.

Answer 7

Controls the vocal cords in the larynx for phonation, resonance, and swallowing, playing a crucial role in producing sound and intonation.
-X

Question 8

How is Accessory nerve relevant for speech language? provide number.

Answer 8

Assists in head and neck movement, indirectly supporting speech posture and resonance.
-XI

Question 9

How is hypoglossal nerve relevant for speech language? provide number.

Answer 9

Controls tongue movement, crucial for articulation and clear pronunciation.
-XII

Question 10

Describes the hemispheres of the brain

Answer 10

-Contralateral hemispheres (left and right hemispheres)
-opposite side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body
-symmetrical for most functions, excepting language

Question 11

Describe the 4 locations/lobes of the brain

Answer 11

-Frontal = voluntary control of skeletal muscles
-Parietal = perception of touch, pressure, pain, vibration, taste, temperature
-Temporal =perception of auditory and olfactory stimuli (conscious)
-Occipital = perception of visual stimuli (conscious)

Question 12

Describe Broca’s area and it’s relationship to language functions
Define Broca’s aphasia/it’s characteristics.

Answer 12

-in left frontal lobe (in right-handed individuals).
-Contains motor neurons for speech control (motor cortex).
-Broca’s aphasia (agrammatic): laboured speech, word finding difficulties, inflection omissions

Question 13

Describe Wernicke’s area and it’s relationship to language functions
Define Wernicke’s aphasia/it’s characteristics.

Answer 13

-in upper temporal lobe of left hemisphere
-lies close to auditory cortex.
-Wernicke’s aphasia (severe): fluent speech, semantically incoherent, difficulty naming things, lexical errors

Question 14

Describe angular gyrus and it’s relationship to language functions.
What may come as result of damage?

Answer 14

-Located in the parietal lobe, near the temporal lobe.
-Associates perceived words with images, sensations, and ideas.
-Crucial for translating written words into internal monologue.
-Damage may cause anomia (word-finding difficulties) and writing issues.

Question 15

Describe visual cortex and it’s relationship to language functions.
What may come as result of damage?

Answer 15

-Located in/around calcarine fissure in occipital lobe.
-processes visual info.
-Includes written language, and visual cues in spoken language

Question 16

Describe arcuate fasciculus and it’s relationship to language functions.
What may come as result of damage?

Answer 16

-bundle of axons connecting caudal temporal cortex and inferior parietal cortex to the frontal lobe.
-Links Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area.
-Damage can affect short-term memory of new words and speech sounds.

Question 17

Describe the evidence of split brains theory

Answer 17

-Severed corpus callosum results in no communication bwn hemispheres, appear independent.
-individual with closed eyes:
.An item in the left hand cannot be named (but can be used).
.An item in the right hand can be both used and named.
-Conclusion: The left hemisphere is essential for language.

Question 18

Describe evidence of dichotic listening theory

Answer 18

-Participants hear two different sounds simultaneously through earphones (e.g., “curl” in the left ear, “girl” in the right ear).
-When asked to report what they hear, participants are more frequently correct with linguistic sounds, indicating that the left hemisphere specializes in processing these, rather than all sounds.

Question 19

Describe evidence for event-related potentials theory

Answer 19

electrical signals emitted from the brain in response to different stimuli.
-E.g. The left hemisphere has greater response to speech