brain

Question 1

why is the brain remarkable?

Answer 1

• bigger than average for our size of body

Question 2

how heavy is an average human brain?

Answer 2

• 1.5kg

Question 3

is there a relationship between brain size and intelligence?

Answer 3

no- cows have the same size brain as a chimp

Question 4

what happens in most animals when brains get bigger? what animal does this not include

Answer 4

neurons get bigger but in primates neuron size remains the same= more neurons can fit in

Question 5

how many neurons are in the brain?

Answer 5

• 86 billion ; 80% in cerebellum
• each neuron connected directly w/ around 10,000 others

Question 6

how much of cardiac output is directed to the brain?

Answer 6

• 15-20 %
• cells consume large amounts of glucose

Question 7

what is the advantage of having a big brain ?

Answer 7

• allows for more complex motor behaviours

Question 8

what makes up the brainstem?

Answer 8

• medulla
• pons
• cerebellum

Question 9

what does medulla control?

Answer 9

• cardiac function, respiration and reflexes

Question 10

what do pons contain and describe its role

Answer 10

• contains nuclei that relay signals from forebrain to cerebellum

Question 11

what is cerebellum responsible for?

Answer 11

balance and helps with coordination

Question 12

what is cerebrum involved in?

Answer 12

• volitional movements

Question 13

what makes up the midbrain?

Answer 13

• tectum
• substance nigra

Question 14

what is tectum involving?

Answer 14

• movement in response to external stimuli
• rapid orientation of head and neck

Question 15

what does substancia nigra produce?

Answer 15

• dopamine

Question 16

what may result if substancia nigra is damaged?

Answer 16

• parkinsons

Question 17

what is the spinal cord responsible for?

Answer 17

• automatic movements

Question 18

where are the two parts of dienchaphelon found and what are they?

Answer 18

• found at bottom of forebrain
• thalamus
• hypothalamus

Question 19

what does the thalamus do?

Answer 19

• takes info from periphery and passes it to cortex

Question 20

what do hypothalamus regulate?

Answer 20

• hormones

Question 21

what is the series of interconnected nuclei?

Answer 21

• basal ganglia
• found in cerebrum

Question 22

what is the cerebral cortex?

Answer 22

• found outside of the cerebrum
• highly folded containing 6 layers of cells

Question 23

what is the cerebral cortex important for ? (7)

Answer 23

• movement
• attention
• perception
• consciousness
• thought
• language
• memory

Question 24

what are the folds in the brain called?

Answer 24

• gyri

Question 25

what are the grooves in the brain called?

Answer 25

- sulci

Question 26

what is the cortical control of movement?

Answer 26

- consists of 4 lobes; frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital

Question 27

what is found in the frontal lobe ?

Answer 27

- primary motor cortex, premotor cortex and prefrontal cortex

Question 28

what does the primary motor cortex code for ?

Answer 28

basic parameters of movement e.g. force, speed

Question 29

how long before movement does primary motor cortex fire?

Answer 29

5 to 100ms before

Question 30

what does pre- motor cortex code for ? give examples

Answer 30

- more complex aspects of movement - planning movement, spatial guidance

Question 31

what does supplementary motor area code for ? give example

Answer 31

- other complex movements - coordination sequence of actions

Question 32

what is found in parietal lobe?

Answer 32

- somatosensory cortex

Question 33

what does sensory cortex code for?

Answer 33

- touch, vibration, heat, pain and pressure

Question 34

what is the ability to recognise position of joint?

Answer 34

- joint position sense

Question 35

what is the ability to recognise joint movement?

Answer 35

- kinaesthesia

Question 36

what is the ability to appreciate and recognise force generated?

Answer 36

- sensation of resistance

Question 37

what is found in temporal lobe?

Answer 37

- auditory cortex

Question 38

what is found in occipital lobe?

Answer 38

- visual cortex