Tools of neurologist
What is an Electroencephalogram (EEG)?
measures electrical activity at the level of the cerebral cortex
What is the all or none law?
Action potential either occurs at a maximum identical intensity (all) or not at all (none)
The threshold for action to occur is at -55mV
Name all the lobes of the cerebral cortex?
Occipital, Temporal, Parietal, and Frontal
What is the brain structure that controls muscle movement, coordination, and balance
Cerebellum
Sympathetic is to ____ as Parasympathetic is to ____
Fight/Flight, Rest/Digest
How does a Positron emission tomography (PET Scan) work?
A patient is injected with radioactively tagged glucose, and the brain metabolizes it
What is reuptake?
neuron reabsorbs excess neurotransmitter molecules
What does the occipital lobe process?
Vision
The amygdala is known for controlling....
Emotion, fear, aggression
The central nervous system is composed of...
brain and spinal cord
What two tools are in a fMRI?
PET scan and MRIs
How does actional potential move down a neuron?
dendrites → cell body → axon → terminal endings
What is the function of the frontal cortex?
- Higher-level cognitive functions
- Personality
- Movement
- Inhibition
- Executive control
memory
Electrical communication is to action potential as chemical communication is to ___
Electrical communication - Action potential
Chemical communication - Neurotransmitters
Compare how the following tests measure data: MRI vs. CAT scan
MRIs use magnetic fields and radio waves
CAT scans use x-rays
Order the stages of action potential
resting potential --> depolarization --> repolarization --> hyperpolarization
Name two significant areas in the temporal lobe. What do they do?
Broca's area - language production
Wernicke's area - language comprehension
Compare the Hypothalamus to the Thalamus
Hypothalamus - maintains homeostasis (sweating, thirst, hunger)
Thalamus - relay center for sensory information except olfaction
Compare the functions of the left and right hemisphere
Left: language, speech, more analytical, verbal memory
Right: spatial, more holistic, visual memory
What does each tool measure: structure and/or function?
- EEG, PET scan, MRI, fMRI, CAT scan
- EEG measures function
- PET scan measures function
- MRI measures measures structure
- fMRI measures structure AND function
- CAT measures structure
Briefly explain how neurons communicate
axon potential reaches the axon terminal which stimulates release of neurotransmitters. These molecules cross the synaptic gap and bind to receptor sites. This allows electrically charged atom to enter new axon
What is the role of the corpus callosum? Why is this significant for splint brain patients?
The corpus callosum serves as a bridge between the left and right hemispheres. For split-brain patients, they do not have a corpus callosum, thus their hemispheres are disconnected.
The brain stem is composed of what and what are their functions?
Pons - messages move vertically along it
Medulla - heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure
What is normally concentrated inside the cell, and what is normally concentrated outside the cell?
Sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) normally concentrated outside of cell
Potassium (K+) and some proteins normally concentrated inside of cell