The role of the brain flashcards

Explain the Heart vs Brain debate.

The heart vs brain debate looks at whether or not the heart is the source of all our feelings, thoughts and behaviours or whether it's the brain.

Explain the Mind-Body Problem debate.

The mind-body problem is a debate that questions whether our mind and body are separate and distinguishable things or whether they're the same thing. There are two types of views on this debate: 1. DUALISM: the mind and body are distinguishable things, but they interact. 2. MONISM: the mind and body are the same.

What is phrenology?

Phrenology is the study of a relationship between the skull's surface features and a person's personality and behavioural characteristics.

What's the difference between autopsy and ablation?

An autopsy is the examination of a body after death to determine the cause of the death or the cause of the disease or disorder that a person suffered. Whereas ablation involves disabling selected brain tissues followed by observations of changes in behaviour. This is irreversible and is considered unethical for humans.

What's the difference between electrical brain stimulation (EBS) and split-brain studies?

Electrical brain stimulation involves inserting a small electrified fine wire onto a specific brain area. Whereas split-brain studies involve cutting the nerve tissue that connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

What's the difference between CT and MRI neuroimaging techniques?

Computerised Tomography (CT), is a neuroimaging technique that involves taking continuous 2D x-ray images of a person's brain or body to provide both 2D and 3D images. Whereas Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), is a neuroimaging technique that uses magnetic and radio fields to take 2D and 3D images of the brain.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of the CT?

Some of the advantages of CT are that it's relatively safe and a cost-effective procedure. It also provides clear 2D images of the structure of the brain and body, and it also enables researchers to view the structure of the brain both in 2D and 3D. On the other hand, it provides no information about the activity of the brain during cognitive tasks and uses x-ray technology which emits radiation. Therefore frequent use isn't recommended, and it also produces images in black and white.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of MRI?

Some of the advantages of MRI are that it produces detailed 3D computer-enhanced colour images which can be changed by the researcher. It also uses harmless magnetic fields and radio waves. On the other hand, it's expensive, along with not providing information about cognitive or motor activity. As well as with some people find the MRI chamber claustrophobic and require sedation during the procedure.

What's the difference between fMRI and PET neuroimaging techniques?

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), is a neuroimaging technique that uses magnetic and radio fields to take 2D and 3D images of the brain and its activity. Whereas Positron Emission Tomography (PET), is a neuroimaging technique that uses a scanning device to take coloured images of the brain, showing its functional activity and structure by teaching the levels of a radioactive substance in the brain.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of fMRI?

Some of the advantages of fMRI are that it produces high-resolution computer-enhanced 3D images of the brain and body with 1mm accuracy. It also allows researchers to view the blood flow and oxygen consumption of a specific area of the brain and detailed information about the physical structure of the brain and brain activity is shown. However, the fMRI can be loud, requiring people to wear earplugs along with its camber being claustrophobic. As well as the precision of activation is questionable as it doesn't show the sequence of activation.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of PET?

Some of the advantages of PET are that it provides information about the function of the brain and the corresponding location of particular areas of the brain during motor and cognitive tasks. It also allows researchers to see the brain in action when a person is under the influence of drugs and provides valuable comparisons of a patient's mental functioning as their disease progresses. On the other hand, it can be expensive to run and it uses radioactive material to show areas of activation which has a short time limit.

What is the Nervous System?

The nervous system is a network of specialised cells in the body that allows the communication of information around the body about the internal and external environment. It has three main functions, receive information, process information and coordinate a response to information.

What's the difference between the Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System?

The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord, the spinal cord connects the CNS to the PNS. Whereas the peripheral nervous system is an entire network of nerves that are located outside of the CNS that transmits information to and from the CNS. It's also divided into two categories; the Autonomic Nervous System and the Somatic Nervous System.

What roles does the brain perform as part of the Central Nervous System?

The brain is the organ that coordinates thought, behaviour and nervous system activity. It's the control centre for the body, allowing the body to respond to information both from within and outside the body as well as process information received by the body and then form responses.

What roles does the spinal cord have as part of the Central Nervous system?

The spinal cord is a cable of nerve tissue connecting the brain to the Peripheral Nervous System, it's responsible for carrying motor information from the brain and sensory information from the body.

What's the difference between the Autonomic Nervous System and the Somatic Nervous System? What similarities do they share?

The Autonomic Nervous System and the Somatic Nervous System are both a part of the PNS. The ANS is a network of neurons connecting the CNS to our internal muscles and organs and controlling involuntary actions. The ANS has two divisions; 1. Sympathetic Nervous System and 2. Parasympathetic Nervous System. On the other hand, the Somatic Nervous System is a network of sensory nerves that carry information received by sensory receptors in the body to the CNS and motor nerves that carry information from the CNS to control voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

What's the difference between the Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System? What similarities do they share?

Both the Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System are divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System. The SNS activates internal muscles, organs and glands in emergencies and prepares the body for action in times of threat. E.g: flight or fight response. This includes heart rate increasing, breathing rate increases and pupils dilating. On the other hand, the Parasympathetic Nervous System is responsible for restoring the body to its normal state of functioning after an extreme emotion subsides. The optimal state is known as homeostasis when all systems in the body are at a stable level of functioning.

What is the flight or fight response?

A reaction that occurs automatically, resulting in a state of physiological arousal that prepares the body to deal with sudden threats by confronting them (fight) or running away to safety (flight).

What are sensory neurons?

Sensory neurons specialise in communicating information about the body's sensations, sent from the Peripheral Nervous System to the Central Nervous System they generally only respond to a particular type of stimulus. For example; taste receptors, smell receptors and temperature receptors: both hot and cold.

What's the difference between interneurons and motor neurons?

Interneurons act as a link between sensory and motor neurons, relying on information from one to another. Interneurons only exist in the Central Nervous System and only have a single axon leaving the cell body with a single dendrite coming to the cell body from a receptor cell. On the other hand, motor neurons specialise in communicating information about our movement. They're sent from the Central Nervous System to the skeletal muscles in the Peripheral Nervous System.

Explain the functions of the numbered parts.

1. Axon terminals: the end of the neuron that releases a neurotransmitter that carries its message to other neurons. 2. Myelin sheath: a fatty substance that coats and helps insulate the axon for faster transmission. 3. Axon: a nerve fibre that transmits information away from the cell body to other neurons. 4. Cell body: the cell body combines information received from the dendrites and sends them to the axon. 5. Neculus: an organelle in the cell body that contains the cell's DNA. 6. Dendrites: thin finger-like strictures that receive electrical impulses from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body of the neuron.

What are glial cells?

Specialised cells that protect and support neurons and their functioning. The primary roles of glial cells are to hold neurons in place, provide nutrients and oxygen and repairs neurons and eliminates diseases or damaged neurons.

What are the types of glial cells that can be found in the Central Nervous System?

There are three types: 1. Astrocytes are the most common glial cells and function to connect neurons to the blood supply, provide helpful chemicals, remove waste and provide structural support. 2. Oligodendrocytes form myelin to insulate neurons and help with transmission. 3. Microglia are tiny glial cells that remove waste and protect neurons from harmful substances.

What type of glial cell can be found in the Peripheral Nervous System?

Schwann cells are located in the PNS, thye form myelin for neurons in the PNS.