Biological: Brain

Question 1

deep lesioning

Answer 1

insertion of a thin, insulated wire into the brain through which an electrical current is sent that destroys the brain cells at the tip of the wire

Question 2

computed tomography (CT)

Answer 2

brain imaging method using computer controlled X-rays of the brain

Question 3

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 3

brain imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain

Question 4

medulla

Answer 4

the first large swelling at the top of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain, which is responsible for life-sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate

Question 5

pons

Answer 5

the larger swelling above the medulla that connects the top of the brain to the bottom and that plays a part in sleep, dreaming, left-right body coordination, and arousal

Question 6

reticular formation (RF)

Answer 6

an area of neurons running through the middle of the medulla and the pons and slightly beyond that is responsible for general attention, alertness, and arousal

Question 7

cerebellum

Answer 7

part of the lower brain located behind the pons that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement

Question 8

limbic system

Answer 8

a group of several brain structures located primarily under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation

Question 9

thalamus

Answer 9

part of the limbic system located in the center of the brain, this structure relays sensory information from the lower part of the brain to the proper areas of the cortex and processes some sensory information before sending it to its proper area

Question 10

olfactory bulbs

Answer 10

two projections just under the from of the brain that receive information from the receptors in the nose located just below

Question 11

hypothalamus

Answer 11

small structure in the brain located below the thalamus and directly above the pituitary gland, responsible for motivational behavior such as sleep, hunger, thirst, and sex

Question 12

hippocampus

Answer 12

curved structure located within each temporal lobe, responsible for the formation of long-term memories and the storage of memory for location of objects

Question 13

amygdala

Answer 13

brain structure located near the hippocampus, responsible for fear responses and memory of fear

Question 14

cortex

Answer 14

outermost covering of the brain consisting of densely packed neurons, responsible for higher thought processes and interpretation of sensory input

Question 15

cerebral hemispheres

Answer 15

the two sections of the cortex on the left and right sides of the brain

Question 16

corpus callosum

Answer 16

thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres

Question 17

occipital lobe

Answer 17

section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the visual centers of the brain

Question 18

parietal lobes

Answer 18

sections of the brain located at the top and back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, taste, and temperature sensations

Question 19

somatosensory cortex

Answer 19

area of neurons running down the front of the parietal lobes responsible for processing information from the skin and internal body receptors for touch, temperature, body position, and possibly taste

Question 20

temporal lobes

Answer 20

areas of the brain located along the side, starting just behind the temples, containing the neurons responsible for the sense of hearing and meaningful speech

Question 21

frontal lobes

Answer 21

areas of the brain located in the front and top, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making as well as the production of fluent speech

Question 22

motor cortex

Answer 22

rear section of the frontal lobe, responsible for sending motor commands to the muscles of the somatic nervous systems

Question 23

mirror neurons

Answer 23

neurons that fire when an animal or person performs an action and also when an animal or person observes that same action being performed by another

Question 24

association areas

Answer 24

areas within each lobe of the cortex responsible for the coordination and interpretation of information, as well as higher mental processing

Question 25

Broca’s aphasia

Answer 25

condition resulting from damage to Broca’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to speak fluently, to mispronounce words, and to speak haltingly

Question 26

Wernicke’s aphasia

Answer 26

condition resulting from damage to Wernicke’s area, causing the affected person to be unable to understand or produce meaningful language

Question 27

unilateral spatial neglect

Answer 27

condition produced most often by damage to the parietal lobe association areas of the right hemisphere resulting in an inability to recognize objects or body parts in the left visual field

Question 28

cerebrum

Answer 28

the upper part of the brain consisting of the two hemispheres and the structures that connect them