All About Neurons
the most basic building block of the nervous system
what is a neuron
A physician to gladiators who demonstrated that nerve fibers control movement
who is Galen
Believes that all activities of the mind, especially our experience of God, involve the brain
What is the Christian Worldview of the Brain and Nervous System
the second largest structure in the brain that is responsible for movement, coordination, balance, and motor-related activity
what is the cerebellum
Latin for "bridge" these serve in coordinating communication between the two cerebral hemispheres and between parts of the brain and spinal cord
what is the pons
a neuron that carries signals from sense receptors in the body to the brain
what is a sensory neuron
Discovered an area in the temporal lobe that was involved in understanding language
Who is Carl Wernicke
Some mental activity is localized or utilizes several of these
what are lobes
this area sits under the cerebral cortex at the base of the skull and the top of the spinal cord and is comprised of the cerebellum, pons, and medulla
what is the hindbrain
an almond shaped structure that plays a role in fear and other emotions, learning, memory, attention, and perception
what is the amygdala
a neuron that carries signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands
what is a motor neuron
Developed a type of psycho-surgery known as a lobotomy or frontal lobotomy
Who is Egas Moniz
what is the endocrine system
part of the brain stem that is responsible for many vital functions like breathing, temperature regulation, and some aspects of speech
what is the medulla
this structure is a network of neurons involved in reflexes, involuntary body functions, and attention
what is the tegmentum
this neuron exists only in the brain and spinal cord and makes up about 90% of all human neurons
what is an interneuron
Studied the effect of brain lesions and other brain damage on one's capacity to speak
Who is Paul Broca
this plays an important role in our sense of smell, memory, and emotions
what is the limbic system
a 2cm area of the brain that is comprised of the tectum, tegmentum, and cerebral peduncles
what is the midbrain
this structure plays a major role in the autonomic nervous system which works with pleasure, body temperature, hunger, and thirst
what is the hypothalmus
the recovery time after a neuron is fired
what is refractory period
Methodically stimulated different areas of the brain to create a famous map of the brain called the homonculous
Who is Wilder Penfield
found in the left temporal lobe, it is said to be the place where God is programmed into our brain
What is the God Spot
a mesh-like network of neurons involed in sleep and consciousness, arousal and attention, coordinating signals from the senses, and pain modulation
what is reticular formation
Refers to the different roles each hemisphere plays in mental life
what is hemispheric specialization