Untitled Flashcard Set

Heart (in Ancient Egypt)

Considered the center of the soul; during mummification, the brain was discarded.

Hippocrates

Argued that the brain is the center of intelligence.

Aristotle

Disagreed with Hippocrates, stating that the brain cooled the heart.

Galen

Physician for gladiators who contributed by dissecting animal brains and proposing ventricular theory.

Ventricular Theory

The idea that brain ventricles move through nerves to create movement.

Dualism (Descartes)

The idea that the mind and body are separate entities, with the mind/soul located in the pineal gland.

Phrenology (Franz Gall)

The theory that bumps on the skull reflect brain surface and personality traits.

Ablation (Marie-Jean-Pierre Flourens)

A method of destroying parts of the brain to investigate its functions.

Broca’s Area (Paul Broca)

A region in the left frontal lobe crucial for speech comprehension and production difficulties.

Common Mechanisms (Darwin)

The concept that the nervous systems of different species may share similar processes.

Neurons

The basic functional units of the brain.

Molecular Neuroscience

Studies molecules such as neurotransmitters, receptors, and ion channels.

Cellular Neuroscience

Examines neuronal properties and cellular interactions.

Systems Neuroscience

Studies neural circuits that execute common functions like vision and movement.

Behavioral Neuroscience

Focuses on how neural systems coordinate to produce behaviors.

Cognitive Neuroscience

Explores complex mental operations such as memory, language, and consciousness.

Animal Research

Essential for medical progress; regulated by committees focusing on animal welfare.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder leading to memory loss and cognitive decline.

Autism

A developmental disorder characterized by challenges with social interaction and communication.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves.

Parkinson’s Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, causing tremors and stiffness.

Schizophrenia

A mental disorder characterized by distorted thinking and perceptions.

Stroke

A medical emergency; occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted.