Unit 1 Exam - Brain and Behavior

Dunning-Krueger Effect

Nonsense neuroscience = more believable; based on a science study

Why was science slow to study the brain?

The brain could be easily damaged; brain was considered philosophical/religious

Who discovered internal electrical energy?

Galvani; stimulated the legs of a frog; claimed electrical current were running through the frogs body; had controversy because it was actually the metal table causing the legs to contract

Phrenology

invented by franz joseph gall; idea that bumps on skull reveal personality traits (not true); no scientific evidence to support it

Brocas Area

Paul Broca; studied brains of patients with speech problems (aphasia) after their death; discovered there were frontal lobe lesions causing this; said brocas area was responsible for speech production

Camillo Golgi

first to view brain cells by staining brain tissue (golgi stain); also claimed reticular theory

Santiago Ramon y Cajal

Shared Nobel prize with Golgi; claimed Neuron Doctrine

Soups vs Sparks

debate between Golgi and Cajal; Reticular theory (Golgi, Soups)) said cells are connected in a reticulum; Neuron doctrine theory (Cajal, Sparks) said cells communicate but do not touch.

Neurotrophins

Growth and survival for neurons; discovered by Rita Levi

Animal research led to understanding what?

Neurons, neurotransmitters, brain regions, learning/memory, drugs and treatment

Why use animals for research?

unethical to use humans; breeding for genetics; shorter life span; epigenetics

Protection of animals and ethical guidelines include

IACUC (institutional animal care and use committee) reviews research; 3 Rs include, Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement

Ethical principles for human participant research

informed consent; minimize harm; avoid deception; voluntary withdrawal; protect confidentiality

Branches of nervous system

CNS (brain + spinal cord); PNS (somatic and Autonomic)

Somatic

Sensory organs to CNS; CNS to muscles

Autonomic

Controls Organs (heart and intestine); parasympathetic (rest and digest); Sympathetic (fight or flight)

Anatomical Directions

Anterior, Posterior, superior, inferior, medial, latteral, dorsal, ventral, ipsilateral, contralateral

Anterior

front

Posterior

back

Superior

above

Inferior

below

Medial

middle

Lateral

side

Dorsal

back/top

Ventral

front/bottom

Ipsilateral

same side

Contralateral

opposite side

Major divisions of brain

Cerebrum, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Midbrain, Pons, Medulla

Cerebrum

thinking, perception, voluntary movement

Thalamus

main information relay station

Hypothalamus

master control center

Midbrain

sensory + motor signals

Pons

connects cerebrum, cerebellum, spinal cord to relay sensory + motor information

Medulla

breathing, heart rate, blood pressure

Neuroimaging (CT)

scans brain structure

Neuroimaging (MRI)

scans a detailed structure

Neuroimaging (EEG)

electrical activity

Dendrites

receive signals

Soma

Cell body, holds neuron

Axon

Send Action potential

Myelin

speeds action potential

Axon terminals

release neurotransmitters

Synapse

communication between neurons

Astrocytes

(CNS) support neurons, regulate environment, blood-brain barrier

Oligodendrocytes

(CNS) make myelin

Schwann cells

(PNS) make myelin, help axon regenerate after injury (can leave glial scar)

Microglia

(CNS) immune defense/cleanup

Ependymal cells

(CNS) produce/regulate cerebral spinal fluid, help remove waste

Satellite cells

(PNS) support neurons in ganglia

Resting Membrane potential

-65 mV; neuron is at rest; inside is more negative than outside