What are ‘cortical columns’ and how have they influenced our understanding of brain structure and function?
General:
The highest marks were awarded if essays showed evidence of critical thinking, excellent structure, answering the question as set and with clarity, an appreciation of detail reported in original research papers, without significant inaccuracies or deviation into irrelevant areas, and wide reading beyond the reading list. Marks were also awarded for accuracy. Essays were based on one question per topic, but there were themes running through the course across different lectures, and marks were also awarded to essays which attempted to combine appropriate information from different lectures.
Marks were frequently lost for the following reasons: Poor structure (e.g. no introduction or conclusion); logic often didn’t follow between sentences and/or paragraphs; irrelevant source material; insufficient explanation of certain concepts; links between paragraphs needed; insufficient clarity caused by erroneous use of English.
- What are ‘cortical columns’ and how have they influenced our understanding of brain structure and function?
- How do the main types of antidepressant medication, starting from those first used, up to the present day, work? Describe their actions on neurotransmitters and discuss their limitations as a treatment.
- Some philosophers and researchers claim that it is not possible to explain mental states in terms of brain states. Others claim the opposite. Contrast and evaluate the arguments made by those on each side in this debate
- Cortical networks in the primate brain are said to be hierarchically organised. Discuss the organisation of EITHER the visual OR the motor cortical network, and explain why its properties are hierarchical.
- What have the sizes of brains and brain areas revealed about the way that the brain has evolved?
