The Brain & Nervous System
Topics 1–2
🔬 Foundations & Anatomy
- Neuron: dendrite → soma → axon → terminal; myelin speeds it
- CNS (brain + cord) vs PNS
- Lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital
- Cerebellum, brainstem, thalamus, hypothalamus, limbic
- Methods: fMRI, EEG, lesion, optogenetics
Explains: Professor X's oversized cortex; any "enhanced brain."
Topic 3
⚡ Signaling
- Action potential (all-or-none), threshold, resting −70 mV
- Synapse + neurotransmitters: glutamate/GABA, dopamine, ACh
- Reflex arc (spinal, fast)
- Autonomic: sympathetic (fight/flight) vs parasympathetic
Explains: The Flash's speed; adrenaline-fueled hero strength.
Topics 4–5
👁 Senses
- Vision: retina (rods/cones) → optic nerve → V1
- Hearing: cochlea → hair cells → auditory cortex
- Touch: somatosensory cortex, homunculus
- Pain: nociceptors, gate control
Explains: Superman's vision, Daredevil's hearing, "feels no pain" heroes.
Topic 6
💪 Movement
- Motor cortex → corticospinal tract → spinal cord
- Neuromuscular junction (ACh) → contraction
- Motor unit; basal ganglia + cerebellum tune it
Explains: Super-strength & super-aim — and the limits the body imposes.
Topics 7–8
😱 Emotion & Memory
- Amygdala (fear), fear conditioning, HPA axis → cortisol
- Prefrontal cortex regulates fear (bravery)
- Hippocampus, LTP, consolidation
- Memory: working / episodic / procedural
Explains: Scarecrow's fear toxin, mind-control villains, memory-wipe (MIB).
Topics 9–11
🤖 Frontiers
- Zombies: brainstem ON, cortex OFF (rabies, Toxoplasma, Cordyceps)
- Morality: vmPFC + theory of mind; consciousness + hard problem
- BCI/cyborg: electrodes → neural decoding → device; plasticity; DBS
Explains: Zombies, conscious droids, and cyborgs (Cyborg, Winter Soldier's arm).
Tip: open the Study Guide for the full explanation of any structure, or drill it on Flashcards.