psy 211 module 2

what are the 3 main parts of the neuron

cell body, axon, dendrites

what type of transmission is synapses?

chemical

ERPs

consistent patterns of EEG that are triggered by a stimulus and are embedded in the overall EEG

why is there a different amount of action potentials?

different number based on amount/type of information the neuron is trying to display to next circuit

sulcus/fissure

each crease

true or false: the action potentials get smaller as they travel down axon

false: they don't get smaller

single units

individual neurons

hippocampus

long term memory

how to study lesions

look for overlaps to avoid problems of how unique everyone's lesions are or create artificial lesions in animals and are able to choose location of lesion

action potentials

messages sent by axons and are "all or none"

what is the downside of fMRI and PET scans

neurons might get more active bc they're doing a specific type of processing of a stimulus=increase in blood flow to that region

what's the second stage in information transmission?

neurotransmitter is released into synaptic cleft

temporal resolution

not exactly when it was active

central sulcus

separates partial and frontal lobes

what is the 1st approach for determining the relationship between an anatomical area and a cognitive process?

1. measure the cognitive process in person or animals with damage in a specific brain area

how many glial cells are in the brain?

10 trillion

what is the 2nd approach for determining the relationship between an anatomical area and a cognitive process?

2. stimulate the area and measure the cognitive process

how much does the human brain weigh

3-4 pounds

what is the 3rd approach for determining the relationship between an anatomical area and a cognitive process?

3. measure neural activity in the area while the cognitive process is engaged

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

what do the motor and somatosensory cortex have?

a map of the body

what does firing mean?

a neuron generating action potentials

transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

a noninvasive stimulation that is a very strong magnetic field that passes through skull and causes neurons to fire

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

what's the first stage in information transmission?

action potential (aka spike) travels down axon to presynaptic neuron

myelin

allows faster transmission along nerve cells

how do we record brain activity?

an electrode is put down right by the neuron and we report as that action potential is sent down the axon

lesion

damage in a specific brain area

inhibitory postsynaptic potential

decreases activation of the postsynaptic cell

what lobe is in the front half

frontal

what are PET and fMRIs good at, but also poor at?

good spatial resolution, poor temporal resolution

what are ERPs good at, but also poor at?

good temporal resolution, poor spatial resolution

excitatory postsynaptic potential

increases activation of postsynaptic cell

dendrites

inputs of neurons and receives information from other neurons

what are the association areas

involved in complex aspects that go beyond simple sensory modalities

what's the fourth and final step in information transmission?

ions flow into or out of the postsynaptic cell, generating a postsynaptic potential

cell body

keeps cell alive

brocas area

language area in the prefrontal cortex

contralateral

on the opposite side of the body

ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

axon

outputs of neuron and sends information away from cell body

what 3 lobes are in the back half

parietal, temporal, and occipital

the Electroencephalogram (EEG)

some voltage "leaks" through the active region of the cortex; each line corresponds with the patch on the head

what the diagram for cognitive neuroscience?

stimulus --> brain --> response

how are lesions caused?

stroke, heart attack, or physical damage

what are the primary techniques for cognitive neuroscience

the fMRI and EEG/ERPs

Where does the right side of the brain receive input from?

the left side of the body

what does the right side of the brain control?

the muscles of the left side of the body

what does the left side of the brain control?

the muscles on the right side of the body

what's the third stage in information transmission?

the neurotransmitter binds with receptor on postsynaptic neuron, chasing ion channels to open or close

where does the left side of the brain receive input from?

the right side of space

cognitive neuroscience

the study of neural mechanisms underlying mental processes

synapses

tiny gaps between dentrites and axons of different neurons

How many nerve cells are in the brain?

trillion and each are connected to 10,000 others

how many cells are in the brain?

trillions of individual cells connected together that transmit signals to other cells

true or false: cognitive neuroscience helped solve some long standing debates in field

true

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

uses the magnetic properties of atoms to get a high resolution picture of brain structure; see lesions and location of it

how is information sent in the neuron?

via electrical activity

what is John Locke's idea on association areas

we learn by associated bc we are born with a blank slate brain

spatial resolution

which part of the brain is active

are each action potentials the same size?

yes

do neurons use both electrical and chemical communication?

yes

is there a delay for fMRIs?

yes, there is a 6 second delay between change in neural activity and change in blood flow