Download Oral examination 1

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DUGGA 2 HT 2011 16 november (från beteende till kognition, 15 hp)
Gazzaniga kap. 1(G:1)
How would you describe cognitive neuroscience ? (s. 16 “summary”).
G: 2
What are:
1) Neurons ? (different morphologies/sizes/locations); 2) action potentials; 3)
neurotransmitters (synaptic transmission), and 4) agonists (s. 57-58)
G:3
The CNS is composed of ? (brain and spinal cord; neurons and glia cells + cerebrospinal fluid
and blood); Name at least 6 examples of cerebral structures/regions and tell me
(briefly) the functions of each one of them (s.107).
G:4
Discuss pros and cons for using new imaging techniques when investigating
brain functions. (sid.163).
G: 8
Mrs B is on sick leave because of stress. What types of memory dysfunctions
can we expect and why? (s 331). Due to loss of memory Mr Adams is brought to
the hospital. He is not really sure where he is, and as to why. However, he has
no problem to tell the examiner his name and his address. He also has retrograde
amnesia. Neuropsychological testing reveal difficulties in generating words that
begin with a certain letter. Within 2 days Mr Adams memory problems have
resolved. When might this temporary loss of memory be manifested, and what
characterizes retrograde amnesia? (s. 327). Which one of the lobes is
dysfunctionel since Mr Adams has a problem when it comes to generating
words? (frontal lobe)
G: 9
“Peter is playing with his best friend Toby. Suddenly Bert, Toby´s dog, rushes
towards Peter who becomes very afraid” . Peter loves dogs, and yet, Bert is
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extremely afraid of Bert. Discuss this emotional reaction in terms of emotional
learning and memory including anatomical cerebral structures (s.375-376).
Indicate the possible neural bases for fear, anger, sadness, and disgust (s. 382-384)
G:11
What neuropsychological functions are lateralized within the brain? (s. 471-473)
There are two different pathways that control facial expressions. Tell me how
they differ in terms of anatomical pathways, type of facial expressions, and
pathology. (s. 459-hö-kolumn + Figure 11.14)
G: 13
What is cognitive control? (“…..refers to mental abilites…..”s. 596 under rubriken “take home
messages”). Imagine that you are planning for a dinner party. Describe the
components and the relevant cerebral anatomical structures/regions to be used
for successfully achieving the goal (s. 572 -573).
G: 15
Which are the three observations that led to Darwin´s theory of evolution by
natural selection?
(1.variation within a population; 2. Some of this variation is inherited; 3.variation in reproducibility –
not all are as succesful- s. 641). What is natural selection? (s. 634- första raderna….)
Artikel: Social Cognition
In what way has the brain evolved according to the Social Brain Hypothesis
(SBH)?
The SBH proposes that ecological problems are solved socially and that the need for mechanisms that
enhance social cohesion drives brain size evolution. In contrast, the more conventional ecological
hypotheses assume that animals solve these same ecological problems individually by trial and error
learning and do not rely on any form of social advantage. The broad interpretation of the social brain
hypothesis is that individuals living in stable social groups face cognitive demands that individuals
living alone (or in unstable aggregations) do not. To maintain group cohesion, individuals must be
able to meet their own requirements, as well as coordinate their behavior with other individuals in the
group. They must also be able to defuse the direct and indirect conflicts that are……