neuroscience

• what was the aim of damasio’s study

  to attempt to locate the areas of damage to Phineas Gages brain using modern technology
• What was Damasios procedure?

  They used 3D technology to map out Phineas Gages skull
• what is the frontal lobe?

  Part of the brain responsible for decision-making and problem-solving. In the front of the brain
• what is the temporal lobe?

  Part of the brain responsible for processing auditory and visual information, memory, and language. In the middle of the brain
• what is the parietal lobe?

  Part of the brain responsible for sensory processing, spatial awareness and perception. At the top of the brain
• what is the occipital lobe?

  Part of the brain responsible for visual processing and allows us to see. At the back of the brain
• what is Brocas area?

  Speech production
• What is wernickes area?

  Language comprehension
• what is the corpus callosum ?

  The corpus callosum is a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
• what is the peripheral nervous system?

  The peripheral nervous system is the part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body.
• what is synaptic transmission?

  The process by which neurons communicate with each other through the release and reception of chemical signals called neurotransmitters.
• what is an axon?

  A long, slender projection of a nerve cell that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body.
• what is lateralisation?

  The specialisation of brain functions in the left and right hemispheres.
• what did damasio conclude?

  • ventromedial of frontal lobe was damaged
  • frontal lobe important for decision making and impulse control
  • only frontal lobe was damaged
• what happens in synaptic functioning?

  • neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap
  • the neurotransmitters will bind to the receptor like a lock and key
• what is prosopagnosia?

  Prosopagnosia is a neurological disorder characterised by the inability to recognise faces.
• what is visual agnosia?

  Can see objects, but can’t recognise or name them
• what is an MRI?

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging, uses magnetic fields to study chemical activity of the brain
• What is a PET scan ?

  Positron Emission Tomography. allows scientists to view brain activity while subject engaged in mental activity. Subject is injected with radioactive glucose. Records areas of brain that is actively using glucose for energy
• what is electric stimulation of the brain

  Penfield (1975) used brain electrical stimulation to locate malfunctioning areas of the brain. His purpose was to find areas of brain causing a type of epilepsy where a number of neurons would begin to fire rapidly. When area found, malfunctioning area would be removed.
• what does left hemisphere control?


  Language, logic, analytical thinking.
• Right Hemisphere Functions

  Spatial information, visual-spatial skills, music, visual processing, holistic processing, emotional processing, attention, and alertness
• what did Sperry find when participants were presented with object in left and right visual field

  right visual field - could repeat it back

  left visual field - couldn’t repeat it back
• what did sperry find when partcipants were shown objects in right and left visual field?

  right visual field - participants couldn’t select correct objects

  left visual field - participants could select correct objects
• what did sperry find when participants felt objects with right and left hand?

  left hand - couldn’t name object

  right hand - could name object