Brain and Behavior Chap. 2

Question 1

Frontal Lobes

Answer 1

Responsible for voluntary movement, decision-making, and the processing of emotions and social behaviors.

Question 2

Hindbrain

Answer 2

Includes the medulla, pons, and cerebellum, controlling vital bodily functions and maintaining balance and coordination.

Question 3

Forebrain

Answer 3

The most anterior part of the brain, responsible for sensory and motor function, as well as higher cognitive functions.

Question 4

Thyroid Gland

Answer 4

Regulates metabolism and influences the function of the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin.

Question 5

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 5

The brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and storing information.

Question 6

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 6

Connects the CNS to the limbs and organs, facilitating communication with the rest of the body.

Question 7

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Answer 7

Transmits sensory information to the CNS and controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

Question 8

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Answer 8

Regulates involuntary bodily processes, such as heart rate and digestion, and is further divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Question 9

Neuron

Answer 9

A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses, consisting of dendrites, a cell body, an axon, and axon terminals.

Question 10

CT Scan

Answer 10

A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses X-rays and computer technology to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the brain.

Question 11

MRI Scan

Answer 11

A non-invasive imaging technology that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to generate detailed images of the brain’s structure and function.

Question 12

PET Scan

Answer 12

A nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image of functional processes in the body, including brain activity.

Question 13

fMRI Scan

Answer 13

A functional neuroimaging procedure using MRI technology to measure brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.

Question 14

Parietal Lobes

Answer 14

Involved in processing sensory information, including touch, temperature, and pain.

Question 15

Occipital Lobes

Answer 15

Primarily responsible for processing visual information from the eyes.

Question 16

Midbrain

Answer 16

Connects the hindbrain to the forebrain and plays a role in motor movement, particularly the visual and auditory systems.

Question 17

Endocrine System

Answer 17

A collection of glands that produce hormones regulating various bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, and sleep.

Question 18

Pineal Gland

Answer 18

Produces melatonin, regulating the body’s internal clock and sleep-wake cycles.

Question 19

Adrenal Gland

Answer 19

Regulates the body’s response to stress and produces hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Question 20

Action Potential

Answer 20

The change in electrical potential is associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a neuron.

Question 21

Neuroplasticity

Answer 21

The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life, especially in response to learning, experience, or following an injury.

Question 22

Neurogenesis

Answer 22

The process of generating new neurons in the brain, occurs in the hippocampus and plays a role in learning and memory.

Question 23

EEG Recording

Answer 23

Detects electrical activity in the brain using small, flat metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp, providing information about brain function.

Question 24

Lateralization

Answer 24

The specialization of function in one hemisphere of the brain or the other, particularly in the case of the cerebral cortex.

Question 25

Temporal Lobes

Answer 25

Responsible for processing auditory information and integrating it with visual information.

Question 26

Pituitary Gland

Answer 26

The master gland of the endocrine system controls growth and social bonding through the release of hormones like oxytocin.

Question 27

Self-Regulation

Answer 27

The ability to manage and control one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, is crucial for setting and achieving goals, and predicting personal and professional success.

Question 28

Outline the major divisions of the nervous system

Answer 28

The nervous system can be divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PHS). The CNS is made up of the brain, which carries out most of the “computing” in the nervous system, and the spinal cord, which connects the brain to the PNS. The PNS includes the somatic nervous system (SNS), which carries sensory information to the brain and motor commands to the body, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls vegetative and automatic bodily processes. The ANS has a sympathetic branch and a parasympathetic branch.

Question 29

Identify the important parts of a neuron

Answer 29

Key parts of a neuron include the dendrites (which receive incoming messages), the cell body (which receives information from dendrites), the axon (which carries information away from the cell body), and the axon terminals (where information is passed along to the adjacent neurons).

Question 30

Describe how neurons operate and communicate

Answer 30

The dendrites and soma of a neuron combine neural input and send it down the axon as an action potential. The action potential travels to the axon terminals. Neural function, including fluctuations of the the neuron’s resting potential and the firing of the action potential, is basically electrical in nature. Communication between neurons is chemical. When an action potential reaches the end of the axon terminals, neurotransmitters are released into the synapse and attach to receptor sites on the adjacent neurons, exciting or inhabiting them. Chemicals called neuropeptides can also regulate synaptic activity in the brain.

Question 31

Distinguish between neuroplasticity and neurogenesis

Answer 31

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change in response to experiences. While neurons and nerves in the PNS often regenerate, the term neurogenesis refers to the production of new neurons in the brain.

Question 32

Identify three methods that scientists use to understand the structures of the brain

Answer 32

Brain structure is investigated through dissection, as well as less-intrusive CT scans and MRI scans

Question 33

Identify four methods that scientists use to understand the function of brain structures

Answer 33

Brain function is investigated through surgical procedures (electrical stimulation, ablation, deep lesioning), as well as less-intrusive EEG recording, PET scans, and fMRI scans.

Question 34

Explain how the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex differ as a result of lateralization

Answer 34

The cerebral cortex is lateralized, with left and right hemispheres specializing in different abilities. Much of what we have learned about lateralization comes from split-brained patients whose corpus callous has been surgically cut. Such an operation allows information to be sent to only one hemisphere or another, thus allowing scientists to see how each hemisphere processes the information in the absence of any input from the other hemisphere.
Psychologists have learned that the left hemisphere is good at analysis, and it processes small details sequentially. It contains speech or language centers in most people. It also specializes in writing, calculating, judging time and rhythm, and ordering complex movements. The right hemisphere detects overall patterns; it processes information simultaneously and holistically. It is largely nonverbal and excels at spatial and perceptual skills, visualization, and recognition of patterns, faces, and melodies. It is important to note, however, that while the hemispheres appear to specialize in their functions, there is no merit to the idea that people are “left-brained” or “right-brained.”

Question 35

Name the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and describe their functions

Answer 35

1. The frontal lobes contain the primary motor area (which includes many mirror neurons) and many association areas that combine and process information. The prefrontal cortex is related to abstract thought and one’s sense of self.
2. The parietal lobes contain the primary sensory area, which processes bodily sensations.
3. The temporal lobes contain the primary auditory area and are responsible for hearing and language.
4. The occipital lobes contain the primary visual area, which first receives input from the eyes.

Question 36

Name the three major regions of the subcortex and the parts that make up each one

Answer 36

The three regions are the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain. The hindbrain is made up of the medulla (which contains centers essential for reflex control of heart rate, breathing, and other vegetative functions), the reticular formation (which directs sensory and motor messages and acts as an activating system for the cerebral cortex), and the cerebellum (which maintains coordination, posture, and muscle tone). The Pons link the medulla with other brain areas.
The midbrain connects the hindbrain to the forebrain. The midbrain and two hindbrain structures (Pons and medulla) make up the brainstem, which is the thickening of the spinal cord where it joins the brain.
The forebrain consists of the thalamus (which carries sensory information to the cortex), the hypothalamus (which exerts control over eating, drinking, sleep cycles, body temperature, and other basic motives and behaviors), and the limbic system (which is related to emotion, reward and punishment, and contains the hippocampus, which is important for forming memories).

Question 37

Explain how the endocrine system works, and describe the action of four endocrine glands

Answer 37

Endocrine glands serve as a chemical communication system within the body. Hormones from the endocrine glands enter the bloodstream, affecting behavior, moods, and personality. Many of the endocrine glands are influenced by the hypothalamus. Thus, the brain controls the body through both the fast nervous system and the slower endocrine system. Four important endocrine glands are:
1. The pituitary glands, which influences many other glands, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. It is also responsible for growth (through the release of growth hormone) and social bonding (through the release of oxytocin).
2. The pineal gland, which regulates the body’s internal clock (through the release of melatonin).
3. The thyroid glands, which regulates the metabolism.
4. The adrenal glands, which regulate the body’s response to stress (through the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine) and sexual development.

Question 38

Define self-regulation, and explain how it can help you in your personal and professional life

Answer 38

Self-regulation refers to our ability to control our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It is associated with the frontal lobes of the brain, which manage our executive functions. Executive functions allows us to set goals, make plans to achieve those goals, control attention and emotions as we work toward our goals, and monitor our progress on the goal so that we know if we need to change our strategy.
Because of its close link to goals, self-regulation in childhood predicts many things connected to personal and professional success, including health, antisocial and criminal behavior, and financial security.

Question 39

Create a plan to improve your self-regulation skills in an area that is important to you

Answer 39

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I just need to breathe and calm down. I can’t do anything if I’m not being level-headed.
Self-regulation skills can be improved by changing what we pay attention to, how we think about situations we’re in, or the environments we find ourselves in. We hope that after reading this section, you’ll be better able to think about how you can use these strategies to help when you need to focus and resist temptation in order to meet your goals.