3.3: The Brain and Spinal Cord

Question 1

amygdala

Answer 1

structure in the limbic system involved in our experience of emotion and tying emotional meaning to our memories.

Question 2

association cortex

Answer 2

all areas of the cerebral cortex that are not primarily sensory or motor in function.

Question 3

auditory cortex

Answer 3

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information.

Question 4

Broca’s area

Answer 4

a language area related to grammar and pronunciation.

Question 5

cerebellum

Answer 5

hindbrain structure that controls our balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills, and it is thought to be important in processing some types of memory.

Question 6

cerebral cortex

Answer 6

surface of the brain that is associated with our highest mental capabilities.

Question 7

corpus callosum

Answer 7

thick band of neural fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres

Question 8

forebrain

Answer 8

largest part of the brain, containing the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the limbic system, among other structures.

Question 9

frontal lobe

Answer 9

part of the cerebral cortex involved in reasoning, motor control, emotion, and language; contains motor cortex.

Question 10

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Answer 10

MRI that shows changes in metabolic activity over time.

Question 11

gyrus

Answer 11

(plural: gyri) bump or ridge on the cerebral cortex.

Question 12

hemisphere

Answer 12

left or right half of the brain.

Question 13

hindbrain

Answer 13

division of the brain containing the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

Question 14

hippocampus

Answer 14

structure in the temporal lobe associated with learning and memory.

Question 15

hypothalamus

Answer 15

forebrain structure that regulates sexual motivation and behavior and a number of homeostatic processes; serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system.

Question 16

lateralization

Answer 16

concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions.

Question 17

limbic system

Answer 17

collection of structures involved in processing emotion and memory.

Question 18

longitudinal fissure

Answer 18

deep groove in the brain’s cortex.

Question 19

medulla

Answer 19

hindbrain structure that controls automated processes like breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Question 20

midbrain

Answer 20

division of the brain located between the forebrain and the hindbrain; contains the reticular formation.

Question 21

motor cortex

Answer 21

strip of cortex involved in planning and coordinating movement.

Question 22

occipital lobe

Answer 22

part of the cerebral cortex associated with visual processing; contains the primary visual cortex.

Question 23

parietal lobe

Answer 23

part of the cerebral cortex involved in processing various sensory and perceptual information; contains the primary somatosensory cortex.

Question 24

pons

Answer 24

hindbrain structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; involved in regulating brain activity during sleep.

Question 25

prefrontal cortex

Answer 25

the very front of the frontal lobes; involved in sense of self, reasoning, and planning.

Question 26

primary auditory area

Answer 26

part of the temporal lobe in which auditory information is first registered.

Question 27

primary motor cortex

Answer 27

a brain area associated with control of movement.

Question 28

primary visual area

Answer 28

the part of the occipital lobe that first receives input from the eyes.

Question 29

reticular formation

Answer 29

midbrain structure important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity.

Question 30

somatosensory cortex

Answer 30

essential for processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain.

Question 31

substantia nigra

Answer 31

midbrain structure where dopamine is produced; involved in control of movement.

Question 32

sulcus

Answer 32

(plural: sulci) depressions or grooves in the cerebral cortex.

Question 33

temporal lobe

Answer 33

part of cerebral cortex associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language; contains primary auditory cortex.

Question 34

thalamus

Answer 34

sensory relay for the brain.

Question 35

ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Answer 35

midbrain structure where dopamine is produced: associated with mood, reward, and addiction.

Question 36

Wernicke’s area

Answer 36

a temporal lobe brain area related to language comprehension.