brain and neuropsychology

# Nervous System Structure and Function

Q: What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

A: The Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Q: What is the function of the Central Nervous System?

A: The CNS coordinates incoming information and makes decisions about movement and other activities. It consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Q: What are the two components of the Peripheral Nervous System?

A: The Somatic Nervous System (SNS) and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Q: What is the difference between the SNS and ANS?

A: The SNS uses myelinated nerves for fast transmission of sensory and motor information, while the ANS uses unmyelinated nerves for slower transmission related to internal organ function and emotional responses.

# Fight or Flight Response

Q: What are the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

A: The sympathetic division (activates arousal) and the parasympathetic division (allows energy storage when not under threat)

Q: What physical changes occur during the fight or flight response?

A: - Deeper breathing

- Increased heart rate

- Dilated pupils

- Increased sweating

- Quick sugar metabolism

- Blood thickening

- Release of endorphins

- Release of adrenaline

Q: What is the James-Lange Theory of Emotion?

A: The theory suggests that emotions are the result of interpreting physical changes in the body, rather than physical changes being caused by emotions. As James said: "We do not weep because we feel sorry; we feel sorry because we weep."

# Neuron Structure and Function

Q: What are the three types of neurons?

A: 1. Motor neurons (movement)

2. Sensory neurons (carry sensory information)

3. Relay neurons (pass messages within CNS)

Q: What is synaptic transmission?

A: The process where neurons pass messages to other neurons or muscles by releasing neurotransmitters into tiny gaps (synapses) between dendrites

Q: What is Hebb's Theory of Learning?

A: When neurons repeatedly excite each other, neuronal growth occurs and synaptic knobs become larger, forming stronger neural pathways ("cell assemblies")

# Brain Structure and Function

Q: What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and their functions?

A: 1. Frontal lobe: thought, memory, problem-solving, planning, movement

2. Parietal lobe: sensory integration, language, spatial awareness

3. Temporal lobe: hearing, speech, language comprehension, emotions

4. Occipital lobe: visual processing

Q: What is the function of the cerebellum?

A: Controls balance and coordination, making movements smoother and more automatic with practice

Q: What are the main language areas in the brain?

A: - Broca's area: speech production

- Wernicke's area: speech understanding

- Angular gyrus: written language processing

# Brain Scanning Techniques

Q: What are the three main types of brain scans?

A: 1. CT scans (X-ray slices)

2. PET scans (radioactive tracers)

3. fMRI scans (magnetic fields)

Q: What is unique about fMRI scans?

A: They can show brain activity in real-time, take only 2 seconds for a complete scan, and don't use harmful radiation or radioactive substances

Q: What was the key finding of Tulving's "Gold" Memory Study?

A: Different types of memory (semantic vs episodic) activate different parts of the brain - episodic memories activate frontal and temporal lobes, while semantic memories activate parietal and occipital lobes