AP Psychology Unit 3B Terms Flashcards
Tissue destruction; One in the brain is naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
Lesion
An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body.
CT (Computed Tomography) Scan
A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose while the brain performs a given task.
PET (Position Emission Tomography) Scan
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. They show the brain anatomy
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
A technique for revealing bloodflow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. They show brain function
fMRI (Functional MRI)
The oldest part and the central core of the brain; beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; it is responsible for autonomic survival functions
Brainstem
The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Medulla
A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal
Reticular Formation
The brain’s sensory switchboard; located on the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Thalamus
The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
Cerebellum
Doughnut-Shaped neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
Limbic System
Two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion
Amygdala
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion and reward
Hypothalamus
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center
Cerebral Cortex
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
Glial Cells
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements
Frontal Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
Parietal Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
Occipital Lobes
Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
Temporal Lobes
An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
Motor Cortex
Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
Sensory Cortex
Areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
Association Areas
Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area or to Wernicke’s area
Aphasia
Controls language expression; an area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech
Broca’s Area
Controls language reception; a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe
Wernicke’s Area
The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Plasticity
The formation of new neurons
Neurogenesis
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
Corpus Callosum
A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers, connecting them
Split Brain
Our awareness of ourselves and our environment
Consciousness
The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition
Cognitive Neuroscience
The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks
Dual Processing
