Brains alarm system
Is the control of the limbic system
Acts a bridge from Medulla to other brain regions
Amino acids are mainly found in the spinal cord as well as in the brain
Where the spinal cord meets the brain stem
Only needed for the storing of long term memories
These two help one another by pinpointing the exact spot in the body
These are non-neural cells located in the centre area of the nervous system
Gateway to the Cortex
At the top are flat- plate like hemispheres in each hemisphere
Located at the side of the brain
Located at the front of your head (forehead area)
Both of these measure blood flow in the brain
These are like lock and key receptors
To summarize, these are the active component of the nervous system
Is located at the lower central back of the brain
These two scans are used to measure internal structures

Lecture 3
Emma Dunn + Olivia Bondy

History of Brain

The brain has developed alot over millions of years

Trepanation

boring holes into the skull to
relieve pressure

Believed to release evil spirts
that were trapped in the head
(mental illness)

Biology of The Brain

Nerve Cells

Glial Cells

Supporting cell that help neurons
make connections

Neurons

Soma

body of a nerve cell

Dendrite

they carry information
to the soma

Axon

They send information
to other cells

coated in a myelin sheath

Synapses

Synapses is when 2
neurons connect

A cells axon connects with
another cells dendrite

Found mainly in the Central
Nervous System

The 3 Synaptic Connections

1) the axon absorbs neurotransmitter
molecules to be recycled

2) neurotransmitters are destroyed
by enzymes

3) Other molecules are diffuse out cleft and are carried away as waste

Neurotransmitters

Amino Acids

Glutamate

excitatory messages

Glycine

inhibitory messages

Aspartame

excitatory messages

GABA

inhibitory messages

Amines

Epinephrine/Adrenaline

stress response

Norepinephrine/Noradrenalin

arousal during stress
response

Dopamine

control motor activity

increase pleasurable
feelings

Serotonin

a calming mood enhancer

Acetylcholine

muscle contraction

excitatory or inhibatory

Peptides

Endorphins

pain killer

Neuroimaging Techniques

CAT/CT Scan

Only looks at the
structure of the
brain

Stands for Computerized
Tomography

MRI

Stands for Magnetic
Resonance Imaging

More detailed view of
the brain then a CT Scan

Takes longer then
a CT Scan

PET

Allows for brain activity
to be monitored during
specific events

Active parts of the brain
are displayed in hot colors
and inactive parts are displayed
in cool colours

Requires a radioactive
injection to view blood
flow and oxygen levels

fMRI

Stands for Functional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging

Looks at the blood flow
in the brain to show the
activity

Subtopic

Subtopic

Physical Brain

Limbic System

Thalamus

Information goes into the thallus and from there decides where to send it next

Hypothalamus

Controls functions of body like eating and drinking, as well as it plays a key role in your fight-or-flight reflexes

Amydgala

Considered as the brains alarm system and plays a role in emotional regulation

Hippocampus

Holds long term memories

The Hind Brain

Brain Stem

Medulla Oblongata

Responsible for basic functions of body like heartbeat

Pons

Responsible for motor control and sensory analysis

Midbrain

Processes vision, hearing and eye movement

Cerebellum

Help coordinate movement and balanced

Cerebral Cortex

Occipital

Primary function is to process vision information

Frontal

Primary function is impulse controls and executive functions

Temperal

Primary function is to process auditory information

Parietal

Primary function is spatial awarenesss and oreintation