CH 6 - biology of the mind

4 medical test methods of imaging the brain

MRI, fMRI, PET, CT

brain plasticity

brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experiences by reorganizing/growing new neural connections

behavioural deficits occuring as a result of brain damage may be lessened by _______, which is […]

[brain rehab] [retraining the brain to work in new ways]

functions assigned to certain brain areas be reassigned to other brain areas to accommodate changing environmental inputs.

TRUE or FALSE

TRUE

greater use of a function commands less dedicated space in the brain

TRUE or FALSE

FALSE - greater use commands more dedicated space (plasticity)

4 lobes of the cerebrum & their main functions

1. frontal

   1. movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, judgement

2. parietal

   1. hearing and language

3. occipital

   1. processes visual information

4. temporal

   1. processes information about touch

motor cortex is in the _____ lobe, somatosensory cortex is in the _____ lobe

[frontal] [parietal]

explain possible reasons for phineas gage’s brain damage (and identify which component of the brain was damaged)

frontal lobe damage - prefrontal cortex

role of prefrontal cortex

• most anterior part of frontal lobe

• 1/3 of human cortex

• reasoning, decision-making, and planning

• associated with some personality aspects

largest component of human brain is ____, which contains the…

[cerebrum] [cerebral cortex]

corpus callosum

connects the 2 hemispheres of the cerebrum

lateralization

2 cerebral hemispheres specialized for different things

describe what the left cerebral hemisphere specializes in

analytical

logical

precise

repetitive

details

sequential

describe what the right cerebral hemisphere specializes in

creative

imaginative

conceptual

figurative

empathetic

general

the nervous system is a network of _____ conveying _____ information throughout the body

[neurons] [electrochemical]

2 divisions of the nervous system

• central (CNS - brain and spinal cord)

• peripheral (PNS - everything else)

CNS main functions

CNS

• receives, processes, and coordinates sensory information

• commands skeletal and muscular system responses

CNS brain main functions

supports perception, motor functions, emotion, cognition

CNS spinal cord main functions

• bridge between brain and body

• spinal nerves protected via vertebral column, spinal reflexes

• helps send neuron signals to and from the cerebrum

PNS main functions

• handles input and output from CNS

• all portions besides brain and spinal cord

• includes sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

somatic vs autonomic nervous system

PNS

• somatic = voluntary movements

• autonomic = involuntary movements, sympathetic & parasympathetic ns

sympathetic nervous system

prepares body to expend energy

• sympathetic nerve fibres exit from spinal cord

parasympathetic nervous system

rest and digest

• restores and conserves energy

• pupils contract, lungs constrict, heartbeat slows, digestive process starts

identify examples of sympathetic vs parasympathetic nervous system responses/situations

neuron

cells conducting electrochemical signals

glial cells