Brain, Neurons and Intelligence

What is the difference between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord; PNS consists of nerves branching from the spinal cord to all parts of the body.

What does the CNS include?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is the Cerebral Cortex and what is its function?

The wrinkled outer layer of the brain; responsible for higher-level thinking, reasoning, decision-making, voluntary movement, sensory perception, and language.

Where is the Corpus Callosum located and what is its function?

A thick band of nerve fibres connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres; it enables communication between both sides of the brain.

Where is the Thalamus located and what is its function?

Deep in the centre of the brain, above the brainstem; acts as the brain’s relay station directing sensory information (except smell) to the correct brain area.

Where is the Cerebellum located and what is its function?

At the back of the brain, under the occipital lobe; coordinates balance, posture, and fine muscle movements.

Where is the Spinal Cord located and what is its function?

Extends down from the brainstem inside the vertebral column; sends information to and from the brain and controls some reflexes.

What are the components of the Brainstem and their functions?

Medulla Oblongata – controls breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure; Midbrain – involved in vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake cycles, and temperature regulation; Pons – connects parts of the brain, helps control breathing, and influences sleep and facial expressions.

What is the function of the Medulla Oblongata?

Controls vital automatic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

What is the function of the Midbrain?

Involved in vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake cycles, and temperature regulation.

What is the function of the Pons?

Connects different parts of the brain, helps control breathing, and plays a role in sleep and facial expressions.

Which hemisphere is primarily responsible for controlling the right side of the body?

The left cerebral hemisphere.

Which hemisphere is primarily responsible for controlling the left side of the body?

The right cerebral hemisphere.

What is Broca’s area and where is it located?

The brain region in the frontal part of the left frontal lobe involved in language production.

What happens in Broca’s aphasia?

Speech is affected with difficulty forming complete sentences; understanding speech remains, and speech may be short, sharp, and lacking function words.

What is Wernicke’s area and where is it located?

Left temporal lobe region responsible for language comprehension.

What happens in Wernicke’s aphasia?

Difficulty understanding language and finding the correct words; speech production is fluent but often meaningless.

What are the key parts of a neuron and their basic functions (Dendrite, Nucleus, Soma, Axon, Myelin Sheath, Axon Terminal, Terminal button)?

Dendrite – receive and process signals; Nucleus – contains DNA and controls activities; Soma – cell body; Axon – transmits signals; Myelin Sheath – speeds transmission and protects signals; Axon Terminal – releases neurotransmitters; Terminal button – stores/releases neurotransmitters.

What are the three main types of neurons and their roles?

Sensory Neurons – detect stimuli and send impulses to CNS; Motor Neurons – carry impulses from CNS to muscles/glands; Interneurons – connect relaying neurons within brain and spinal cord.

How do neurons communicate?

Electrical signals travel along the neuron to trigger neurotransmitter release at the synapse, which cross the synapse and bind to receptors on the next neuron.

What is Verbal/Linguistic intelligence?

Strength in reading, writing, storytelling, memorizing names/places, and thinking in words.

What is Logical/Mathematical intelligence?

Ability to manipulate numbers, solve problems, reason, and recognize patterns.

What is Bodily/Kinaesthetic intelligence?

Control of body movements, skillful use of the body, coordination, and expression through movement.

What is Musical/Rhythmic intelligence?

Ability to produce, appreciate, and recognize patterns in sounds and rhythms; skills in singing or playing instruments.

What is Visual/Spatial intelligence?

Think in pictures, create mental images, enjoy maps and charts, and have a sense of direction.

What is Intrapersonal intelligence?

Self-awareness; understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and inner states.

What is Interpersonal intelligence?

Ability to relate to and understand others, see perspectives, and collaborate effectively.

What is intelligence, as described in the notes?

A general ability underlying a wide range of behaviors, including memory, reasoning, language use, and numeracy.

What are Kinesics?

The use of body language, movements, posture, gestures, and facial expressions to communicate.

What is personal space and its zones?

The distance zones used to manage social interactions: Intimate 0–0.5 m; Personal 0.5–1.5 m; Social 1.5–3.5 m; Public >3.5 m.

What is Stress in this context?

A response to the need to change in order to fit into an environment; not all stress is bad.

What are the five broad categories of emotional intelligence?

Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Empathy, Social skills.

What is emotional intelligence?

The ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others, including using emotions effectively in social interactions.