Brain Structure and Function: Research Methods
Brain Structure and Function
Sensory/Motor Cortex
- Olfactory/gustatory systems do not have contralateral organization.
- The primary motor cortex controls the contralateral side of the body.
- Left hemisphere: Speech and comprehension.
- Right hemisphere: Non-verbal spatial abilities.
- Lateralization: Functional differences between hemispheres.
- Corpus callosum: Connects hemispheres.
- Basal ganglia: Includes the caudate nucleus, putamen (striatum), and globus pallidus.
- Lesions to this area result in uncontrolled movements
Human Respiratory and Circulatory Systems: Functions and Anatomy
Respiratory System: Anatomy and Functions
The respiratory system facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. Here’s a breakdown of its key components:
- Vocal Cords: Located inside the larynx, these two ring-shaped folds vibrate to produce sounds as air passes through them.
- Nostrils: The primary entry point for air, the inner walls of the nostrils warm, humidify, and filter the incoming air using mucus.
- Pharynx: Part of the digestive system, the pharynx contains the pharyngeal tonsils
DNA and RNA: Structure, Function, and Types
Biological Function of DNA
DNA is the storehouse of genetic information and the molecule responsible for transmitting to offspring the necessary instructions to build all proteins in a living being. DNA has the ability to make copies of itself through a mechanism called replication, based on complementarity between the nitrogenous bases of the two strands of DNA.
DNA in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes
In both cell types, DNA can take many forms and levels of complexity.
- In prokaryotes, there is a circular
Human Anatomy: Hormones, Nervous System, and Organs
Hormones and Endocrine System
Hormones: Influences metabolic activities of cells.
Pituitary gland: Hangs by a stalk from the hypothalamus in the brain. Protected by the sphenoid bone. Has two functional lobes:
- Anterior pituitary—glandular tissue
- Posterior pituitary—nervous tissue
Often called the “master endocrine gland”.
Endocrinology: Study of hormones and endocrine organs.
Central and Peripheral Nervous System
Central Nervous System (CNS): Components: brain and spinal cord. Functions: receives,
Read MoreEnvironmental and Health Hazards: A Detailed Analysis
Environmental Physical Assault
Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation is a form of energy that can modify the structure of matter, potentially causing changes in cells that may affect health. It can be natural or artificial.
Noise
Noise is unwanted sound that can cause sleep disturbances, behavioral issues, and hearing loss.
Temperature Variations
High temperatures, combined with excessive humidity, can be lethal by preventing sweat evaporation. Extreme cold can also cause injury. Mortality increases when
Read MoreCytoskeleton, Cell Inclusions, and Cell Wall: Structure and Function
The Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is the set of protein filaments located in the cytosol that contribute to the morphology of the cell, its internal organization and the organelles, and movement. It is formed by microfilaments of actin, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.
Microfilaments of Actin
In cells, they are essential for eukaryotic cell movements. They are structures with different polarities, and extremes can be polymerized and depolymerized easily.
- Actin G: It is a globular protein associated