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Brain, Mind, & Behavior Exam #1 Study Guide

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It is an inseparable system that includes brain, mind, and behavior and do not work in isolation from one another (unified system); Experience shapes the brain -> the brain shapes experience and vice versa
What are the fundamental principles of the brain?
plasticity
brain's life-long ability to change structurally or functioning as a result of new experience
biopsychology
study of the relationships between the brain, mind, body, and behavior; focuses on establishing general principles that govern and explain understanding how the brain, nervous, and endocrine (hormonal) systems generate and control behavior and mental processes; branch of both psychology and neuroscience
neuroscience
study of the nervous system and its role in behavior
phrenology
variations in the size and shape of specific areas of the human skull corresponded to the size of each underlying brain organ, and that individual differences in abilities, character, and personality could be determined by carefully measuring the skull
Mr. Tan
patient of Paul Broca who lost the ability to produce speech and could only say the world "tan"; used tone of voice, facial expression and genstures to effectively convey feelings and desires
Broca's area
the region in the brain's left front lobe that was responsible for speech production; through an autopsy on a patient named Mr. Tan by a French neuroanatomist who had severe damage in that area
Wernicke's area
the region in the rear left side of the brain that was responsible for producing meaningful speech and for speech comprehension; discovered by a German neurologist through autopsies of his patients discovered
preconscious, conscious, and unconscious
What are the levels of Freud's model of consciousness?
Phineas Gage
railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior; case played a role in the development of the understanding of the localization of brain function
case study
most common method of studying brain, mind, and behavior that involves the observation of people who suffered damage to their brain or nervous system through accident, disease, infections, viruses, or strokes; provides researchers with detailed information about the effects of brain damage
lesioning
involves the experimental alteration or destruction of portions of the brain in laboratory animals and then carefully observing the behavioral effects of the damage; surgically produced in humans in an attempt to treat psychological and/or neurological disorders
electrical recording
as a method of investigating brain functioning, a process of recording the electrical changes that occur in a specific neuron or groups of neurons in the brain in relation to particular activities or behaviors
electroencephalogram (EEG)
graphical recording of the generalized electrical activity of the cerebral cortex
brain waves
several distinctive patterns of EEG activity that correlate with particular types of behavior; categorized according to their frequency range: Beta, Alpha, Theta, or Delta
electrical stimulation
involves the use of electrodes or small wires to deliver weak pulses of electric current to stimulate brain tissue; when stimulated by electric current, neurons immediately increase firing activity, and behaviors can be elicited
brain imaging ("brain mapping")
methods of scanning that bran that are relatively non-invasive (not entered or invaded by an foreign equipment); provide vivid images of living brain; some scans provide images of brain structure, while others directly observe actual brain activity as it occurs
CAT scan (computerized axial tomography)
first modern method of imaging the brain; construct a three dimensional image of the structure of the living brain through the use of computer technology by combining thousands of separate x-rays taken at slightly different angles; allows neurologists to detect abnormalities of the living brain of patients who suffered brain traumas and lesions
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
provides highly detailed images of the structure of the living brain; measures the radio waves emitted from brain and uses the information to construct extremely clear three-dimensional images of brain anatomy; offer much greater resolution than CAT scans, proven to be of significant value in diagnosis of structural brain abnormalities
PET scan (positron emission tomography)
first imaging technique to provide images of brain activity; provides images of brain activity through computerized measurement of the brain's metabolic activity and allows neuroscientists to investigate the activity of specific reas o the brain while a subject is engaged in mental tasks; proven to be valuable in studying the relationship between brain activity and mental processes, but are generally too expensive for clinical use
SPECT scan (single photon emission computerized tomography)
provides vivid three-dimensional images of brain activity through the use supercomputers to measure brain metabolism and blood flow, providing neuroscientists with a blood flow/metabolism map of brain activity, do not produce the level of detail like PET scans, but less expensive; allows neurologists to identify brain patterns that correlate with psychiatric and neurological illnesses
fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
uses high-powered, rapidly oscillating magnetic fields and powerful computerized computation to measure oxygen concentration in the blood flow of the brain in which oxygen consumption is increased, thus indicating increased activity in the that area; allows researchers to detect and measure specific areas of brain activity as an individual performs cognitive and motor tasks; best resolution of any of the currently used imaging techniques
DTI (diffusion tensor imaging)
special type of MRI technique that provided vivid images of the complex wiring of the brain by measuring the rate at which water diffuses between cells in the brain and body; provided more data about the wiring and condition of the brain from a conventional MRI
biochemical studies
an important field of neuroscience research of how drugs affect emotions, mood, cognition, memory, and other behavior
central nervous system
consists of nerve tissue encased within the bony protection of the spine and skull; analyzes stimuli inputted from peripheral nervous system, decides how to respond, and transmits response commands back to the peripheral nervous system; serve as the command center for the nervous system; consists of two major components: the spinal cord and the brain
peripheral nervous system
consists of all nerve tissue outside the central nervous system; communicates with the central nervous system through sensory and motor nerves that enter or exit the central nervous system either through the spinal cord of directly to the brain
somatic nervous system
consists of sensory nerves that detect internal and external stimulation and sends this information the central nervous system for processing and motor nerves that convey messages from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles; most of the activity is under voluntary control
autonomic nervous system
includes nerves that reach out to every part of the body to regulate the ongoing activity of muscles, organs, and glands; it includes nerves that convey sensory information from blood vessels, heart, lungs, and most other organs and glands of the chest , abdomen and pelvis, and motor nerves that convey commands from the central nervous system to the tiny muscles in the skin, around blood vessels, in the eye, in the stomach, intestines, bladder, heart, and most other organs and glands of the body; most of the activity occurs on a reflexive or automatic level, outside conscious awareness or control
sympathetic nervous system
division of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates, organizes and mobilizes energy, and arouses the body to deal with challenging, threatening, or stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
division of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates bodily processes involved in recovery from or termination of such challenges, and can be thought of as rest and digestion responses; promotes growth, energy storage, and sleep
reptillian brain
What's another word for the brainstem?
mammalian brain
What's another word for the limbic system?
human brain
What's another word for the neo cortex?
brainstem
composed of several parts, including the medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, and the reticular activating system; has 3 major functions: 1) serves as a two-way information highway, carrying signals between the brain and body, 2) it is responsible for basic life support functions, such as heart rate and respiration, and 3) it plays key roles in consciousness and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) "dream sleep"
cerebellum
"little brain"; located at the back of the brain, connected to the brainstem; functions include: coordination of movement, balance and posture, integration of sensory and motor functions, and is involved in certain types of memory and cognitive functions
limbic system
system of brain structures ringing around the top of the brain; include the thalamus and hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, septum, cingulate gyrus, and the hippocampus
basal ganglia
system of structures connected to the limbic system and the cerebral cortex; involved in such functions as emotions and cognition, and the initiation and control of movements
neo cortex
"cerebrum"; thinking cap of the brain; consists of two large hemispheres (left and right) and is responsible for all higher and mental function, including perception, cognition, organizing and directing behavior
cerebral hemispheres
each of these is specialized to perform certain roles; the left is specialized in language, speech, and analytical processes, while the right is more involved in visual-spatial and emotional processes
lobes
each of these in the hemisphere are in to four different sections: 1) the occipital found at the back of the brain and is responsible for visual processing, 2) the parietal lobe located at the top rear area of each hemisphere is for processing body sensations, 3) the temporal lobes located on the lower side of each hemisphere which plays critical roles in hearing, emotions, and language, and 4) the frontal lobes found at the front of each hemisphere that are responsible for emotional control and planning and directing behavior
receive, process, and transmit information between each other; responsible for everything you do
What are neurons?
Allow us to think, feel; make up the nervous system; help communicate other neurons
What are the functions of neurons?
100 billion
How many neurons are there?
Do not reproduce after birth; They have a membrane designed to send and receive information to and from other cells; They release neurotransmitters
How do neurons differ from other cells?
ten time more numerous than neurons and occupy the same amount of space; do not transmit information to other cells and are constantly replaced
What are glial cells?
help neurons word; they are the structural framework; provide nourishment and metabolic support to neurons; removes waste and tissue debris; provide as a protective barrier between blood and neurons; forms scar tissue; helps maintain proper levels of substance necessary for brain functioning
What are the functions of glial cells?
glial cells nourish, support and maintain the proper chemical environment for neurons
What does Einstein's brain suggest able their role(s) in our brains?
meninges
three layers of protective tissues below the cranium; these membranes provide a tough outer protection of the brain and spinal cord
blood-brain barrier
a system that protects the brain from harmful substances circulating in the capillaries in the brain; works a filter, allowing some substances to pass in to the brain, while preventing others from entering
glial cells
What type of cells form the blood-brain barrier
meningitis
protective layer of tissue that covers the brain and the spinal cord; consists of three layers called: the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater
traumatic brain injuries
most common cause of death in people under age 45; leading causes are falls, automobile/motorcycle accidents, and sport injuries; can range from mild to sever and symptoms depend upon the level of severity and the area of the brain that has been injured
ventricles
the subarachnoid and large cavities within the brain where the cerebrospinal fluid continuously circulates between; there are 4 of these: 2 large lateral, 3rd in the midbrain area, and the 4th in the brain stem
by special glial cells that cover the capillaries in the walls of the ventricles
Where is cerebrospinal fluid produced? And how much is produced daily?
hydrocephalus
abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain's ventricles; results from imbalance between amount produced and the rate at which it is absorbed
aneurysm
occurs when a weak or diseased spot of a blood vessel swells out and burst
cerebrospinal fluid
clear fluid where the brain and spinal cord are cushioned; buffers the brain and spinal cord from shock; functions: 1) protects brain and spinal cord from injury by providing a protective fluid cushion for the brain and spinal cord, 2) contains a variety of substances essential to normal brain functioning, 3) delivers nutrients, hormones, and neurotransmitters, and other important substances, 4) it helps maintain the proper water and acid-base balances, and 5) it diffuses waste materials away from the brain
20% of the body's energy supply
What are the brain's daily blood, glucosem, and oxygen requirements?
stroke
condition that occurs when part of the brain is damaged by being starved of its blood supply through blockage of a blood vessel or leakage from an artery or vessel in to brain tissue; two types of these: ischemic (blockage of blood supply to part of brain), and hemorrhagic (artery in the brain leaks or ruptures)
hemorrhagic stroke
occur when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures

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