Question

1. Provide three arguments with elaborations to support the fact that human brain is a highly energy conservative organ. (Word limit 250 )

2. Discuss whether fMRI could really help us understand the neural mechanisms of the generations of different perceptual experiences. (Word limit 200)

3. Illustrate the detailed visual mechanisms of recognizing a human face. Your illustrations must cover the mechanisms from retina to inferotemporal cortex. (Word limit 300)

Answer 1

1. Brain is our most energy consuming organ. The brain typically gets most of its energy from oxygen dependent metabolism of glucose. Representing only 2% of the weight of an adult, the brain consumes 20% of the energy produced by the body. Efficient energy supply is crucial for the brain, so that our memory, mobility and senses can function normally.

2. It is a type of medical imaging scan used to monitor changes in the brain activity with varying blood flow. fMRI can be used for brain mapping which is the process of identifying which part of the brain is responsible for different activities like reading, speaking, seeing and hearing. Functional neuroimaging helps describe neurobiological mechanisms underlying individual differences in brain circuit function, neurochemical signalling pathways and behavioral traits.

3. During face perception, neural networks make connections with the brain to recall memories. According to the seminal model of face perception, there are three stages face processing including recognition of the face, the recall of memories and information that are linked with that face and finally name recall.