Chapter 1.3

Question 1

What three layers is the brain covered by? What function do these three layers play? What are their names?

Answer 1

• it is covered by the meninges
• > the meninges helps protect the brain
• > it keeps the brain anchored to the skull
• > it also resorbs cerebrospinal fluid
• the three layers names are:
• > pia(inner layer)->closest to the cortex
• > arachnoid(middle layer)
• > dura(outer layer)->closest to bone

Question 2

What is cerebrospinal fluid? Where is it produced?

Answer 2

• cerebrospinal fluid is the aqueous solution
• > on which the brain and spinal cord rest
• it is produced by ventricles in the brain

Question 3

Describe the general human evolution of the brain. In terms of the hindbrain, midbrain and the forebrain. Also in terms of the brainstem, limbic system and the cerebral cortex.

Answer 3

• so hindbrain and midbrain were structures that evolved earlier
• they then formed the brainstem
• > which is the most primitive part of the brain
• forebrain developed later
• > including the limbic system which controls pain, aggression, fear, pleasure, etc
• the most recent development has been the cerebral cortex
• > it is involved in memory, planning problem solving, etc

Question 4

Where does the brain develop from in prenatal life? What is it first composed of and what does it then develop into in terms of the number of swellings?

Answer 4

• it develops from the neural tube
• starts out with 3 swellings
• > prosencephalon(fore), Mesencephalon(mid) and rhombencephalon(hindbrain)
• it ends up with 5 swellings in the embryo
• the prosencephalon divides into:
• > telencephalon and the diencephalon
• the rhombencephalon divides into:
• > metencephalon and the myelencephalon

Question 5

Describe the functions of the hindbrain? Where is it located? Note it is referred to as the rhombencephalon

Answer 5

• it is located where the brain meets the spinal cord
• it is involved in breathing, digestion, motor coordination and arousal processes
• > arousal processes= sleeping/waking

-it is basically involved in the processes that control vital function

Question 6

What is the myelencephalon referred to as? What are their functions

Answer 6

• it is the medulla oblongota
• > controls vital functions
• > such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure

Question 7

What is the metencephalon composed of? What are their functions

Answer 7

• it is composed of the cerebellum and the pons
• pons is involved in the sensory and motor pathways between the medulla and the cortex
• cerebellum is involved in coordination of body movements, posture and balance
• > damage=clumsiness, slurred speech and loss of balance

Question 8

What is the mesencephalon composed of? What are their functions

Answer 8

• mesencephalon is composed of the colliculi
• > involved in reflexes initiated by auditory/visual stimuli
• superior colliculi is involved in audition
• inferior colliculi is involved in vision
• > has a role in reflexive reactions to sudden noises

Question 9

What is the diencephalon composed of? What are its function?

Answer 9

• thalamus-> sensory relay station
• hypothalamus->hunger/thirst and emotion
• pineal gland
• posterior pituitary gland

Question 10

What is the telencephalon composed of? What are its functions?

Answer 10

• cerebral cortex->complex perceptual, cognitive and behavioral processes
• basal ganglia->movement
• limbic system-> emotion and memory

Question 11

What is neuropsychology

Answer 11

• refers to the study of the functions and behaviors associated with specific regions of the brain
• it is most applied in research settings

Question 12

How can brain lesions be done with electrodes? How are these electrodes inserted

Answer 12

• done with electrodes that selectively apply heat, cold, or electricity to a specific part of the brain
• placed with high accuracy due to stereotactic instruments

Question 13

What does electrical stimulation result in

Answer 13

• it results in cortical maps
• patient has to be awake and alert during these stimulations
• > local anesthesia is required

Question 14

Is EEG invasive?

Answer 14

• no
• > it is done by placing several electrodes along the scalp
• > research on sleep seizures and brain lesions rely on EEG

Question 15

What is regional cerebral blood flow

Answer 15

• detects broad patterns of neural activity
• > based on increasing blood flow to different parts of the brain
• based on the assumption that when a specific part of the brain is activated
• > blood flow to that region of the brain is increased