Neuroscience
Attempt to explain cognitive processes in terms of underlying brain mechanisms
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Describe the biological "hardware‟ upon which mental "software‟ supposedly runs
Neuroscientists
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Learn more the structures and functions of the human brain and how they relate to the behaviors we observe in people
- using language, solving problems, and remembering.
Question 1
Is it possible to have a full life when living with only half of the brain?
Question 2
What is the main parts of the brain?
Question 3
What is split-brain?
Additional Resources 1
Neuroscience of Foraging
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Mind Map
Neuroscience of foraging research is focused on the intersection of foraging theory and neuroscience
foraging theory aims on animal problems
They found out that animals can be thought of as economic decision-maker such as can learn on how to use the benefits and how to reduce the costs
Animal decision-makers have difficulty making two-option choices, and use degenerate strategies evolved to solve foraging problems
Neuroscience of Foraging
Highlight the utility of considering foraging-like problems when investigating the mechanisms of economic choice.
Animal should combine the benefits and costs to make it into one conclusion, after that compare it to specific threshold
There are two problems :
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whether to approve or refuse a prey item
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decide whether to leave it or move on to next prey
Both of these problems can be applied to human as well
Additional Resources 2
Why is Depression More Prevalent in Women
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Mind Map
The differential risk can derive primarily from differences in biological sex
Evidence suggests that hormone replacement therapy is often effective in preventing postmenopausal depression in women
Studies indicate that estrogen can have a protective effect on the pathology that underlies depression and declines in estrogens can increase the danger of depression
no convincing indication that the prevalence of depression is higher in countries where women have substantially lower socio-economic status
The relation between the prevalence of depression and antidepressant use may indicate stigma or diagnosis in adolescence
Why Is Depression More Prevalent In Women?
Research has shown that in male brain testosterone, endogenous aromatase is converted to estrogen
Primate and rodent research consistently include the role of female hormones, like estrogen, in depression
Depression causes tend to vary, with women most often presenting with internalizing symptoms and men presenting with externalizing symptoms
Most complex organ of the body
Approximate length = 15 cm
Consists of approximately 10 billion nerve cells (neurons) and billions of interconnecting fibers
Approximate weight = 1400 g (3 pounds/1.4 kg)
Answer 2
What is the main parts of the brain?
Major Parts of Brain
Cerebellum
- Major structure part of the hindbrain and can be found in the back portion of the skull below the temporal and occipital lobes located near the brainstem
- Receives information from other region of the brain and nervous system (brain stem, spinal cord and cerebrum)
- Responsible for coordinating voluntary movement, a number of functions including motor skills like balance, posture, mental function, movement, vision, motor learning, and coordination
Cerebrum
- Largest part of the brain
- Composed of two large hemisphere which is joined by corpus callosum
- Every cerebral hemisphere is painted of surface layer of grey matter (cerebral cortex) and a central core of white matter.
Lobes and Function
Occipital lobe:
- found in the back of your cerebrum, plays a role in processing visual information
Temporal lobes:
- primarily functions in auditory processing. It may also be involved in emotion, learning, and pronunciation/learning a new language
Frontal lobe:
- allow to solve a complex task, undergo voluntary movement of body parts, and form complete sentences
Parietal lobe:
- functions in general sensation and feeling
Brainstem
Component of brainstem
Midbrain
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most superior portion of the brainstem.
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located posterior to the hypothalamus and superior to the pons
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contains reflex centers for head, eye, and body movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli
Pons
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Lies between the midbrain and medulla oblongata
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Recognizable by its bulblike anterior portion
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Consists primarily of axons
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Longitudinal axons connect lower and higher brain centers, and transverse axons connect with the cerebellum.
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works with the medulla oblongata by controlling the rate and depth of breathing
Medulla Oblongata
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most inferior portion of the brain, and it is the connecting link with the spinal cord
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Descending (motor) axons extending between the brain and the spinal cord cross over to the opposite side of the brain within the medulla oblongata
Cerebral Cortex
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Joins higher brain centers to the spinal cord
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It contains several nuclei that are surrounded by white matter.
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Ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) axons between higher brain centers and the spinal cord pass through the brainstem
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Controls processes basic for live (heart rate, breathing, digestion, and sleep)
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Main route of communication between the rest of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves that run throughout the body
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3 mm thick
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Very thin layer
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The area is complex pattern packed into a small space inside the skull
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receives messages from all sensory organs
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Initiates all voluntary actions
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stores all our memories
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Gyrus
- Hill-like portion
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Sulcus
- The 'valley' between two Gyri (Plural for Gyrus)
Cerebral Hemisphere
Answer 3
What is split-brain?
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Research that includes severing of corpus callosum
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Roger Sperry (Physiological Psychologist)
Specialization of the hemisphere
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Reasoning
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Language
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Writing
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Reading
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Logic
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Mathematics
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Linear
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Analysis
Left Side
Right Side
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Recognition of faces and patterns
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Art
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Rhythm
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Visual
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Creativity
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Synthesis