Brain Notes Flashcards
Measures brain activity, studies the rhythms of the brain.
EEG
X-Ray of brain tissue, shows brain structure
CAT Scan
Exposes brain to magnetic field, shows brain structure
MRI
Patient drinks radioactive Glucose and image shows areas of brain activity
PET
Shows brain structure and activity, uses magnetic field but is not harmful
fMRI
White spinal cord meets the skull; controls heartbeat and breathing
Medulla
Below the thalamus; regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, sex, fight-or-flight, ; triggers the pituitary (“the master gland”) ; reward center
Hypothalamus
Forehead region, includes motor cortex, and broca’s area.
Frontal Lobe
Top and rear of head, contains the sensory cortex and the angular gyrus (left hemisphere only)
Parietal Lobe
Back of the head - processes vision
Occipital Lobe
sides of the head, above the ears. includes Wernicke’s area.
Temporal Lobe
Bundle of nerves connecting the left and right hemispheres
Corpus Collosum
Below the hypothalamus, size of a pea. Hormones released, growth hormone
Pituitary Gland
Produces thyroxin to regulate metabolism.
Thyroid Gland
present in males and females, responsible for the development of the sex organs
Testosterone
Present in males and females. Together they regulate the menstrual cycle
Estrogen and Progesterone
Basic building block of heredity
Genes
math, logic, problem solving
Left Brain
Imagination, art, feelings, spatial relations
Right Brain
Traits are inherited
Nature
Primary and secondary development of sex characteristics
Estrogen
Growth of reproduction levels and body for pregnancy
Progesterone
Shaped by the environment, kinship studies, twin studies etc.
Nurture
