Chapter 2 Brain structure and processes Flashcards
nervous system
a system of networks of specialised cells (neurone) that connect different parts of the body to each other and the brain via electrochemical signals
neuroscientist
a scientist who studies the brain and the nervous system
neuron
an individual nerve cell that receives, transmits and processes information
central nervous system (CNS)
a major division of the nervous system consisting of all the nerves in the brain and spinal cord
spinal cord
a part of the CNS that consists of a cable of nerve fibres stretching from the base of the brain to the lower back; connects the brain to the PNS and transmits sensory information from the PNS to the brain and motor messages from the brain to the PNS
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
a major division of the nervous system consisting of all the nerves outside of the CNS; transmits sensory information inwards to the CNS and transmits motor messages from the brain outwards to the rest of the body
somatic nervous system
the division of the PNS that transmits sensory information received from sensory receptor cells inwards towards the CNS, and motor messages from the CNS to the body’s voluntary skeletal muscles; also known as the skeletal nervous system
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
the division of the PNS that transmits motor messages from the brain to the body’s internal organs and glands, which results in involuntary activity of internal organs and glands, and transmits messages back to the brain about the activity level of these organs and glands
sympathetic nervous system
the branch of the ANS that alters the activity level of internal muscles, organs and glands to physically prepare our body for increased activity during times of high emotional or physical arousal
parasympathetic nervous system
a branch of the ANS that maintains an energy level appropriate for normal bodily functioning and physically calms us after high arousal by reversing the changes in bodily functioning caused by the domination of the sympathetic nervous system
homeostasis
the body’s balanced and healthy state
cognitive processes
brain processes that involve thinking, knowing or mentally manipulating information
cognition
thinking, knowing or mentally processing information
sensation
the immediate response in the brain caused by excitation of a sensory organ
cerebrum
the two large hemispheres that cover the upper part of the brain
cerebral hemispheres
the two halves of the cerebrum that cover the upper part of the brain
cerebral cortex
the thin layer of tissue that forms the outer layer and surface of the brain’s cerebrum; responsible for basic sensory and motor functions, as well as higher mental processes
frontal lobe
the upper front half of each cerebral hemisphere; associated with complex mental abilities and the control of voluntary movement
association areas
all the areas of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specialised sensory or motor function; they integrate information received from different brain areas and structures to enable complex mental behaviours
primary motor cortex
an area at the rear of the frontal lobe that directs the body’s skeletal muscles and controls voluntary movement
Broca’s area
an area in the left frontal lobe close to the primary motor cortex that controls the muscles responsible for the production of articulate speech
parietal lobe
an area of each cerebral hemisphere located behind the frontal lobe; mostly associated with processing sensations but also involved in the coordination of sense and movements
primary somatosensory cortex
a strip of neurons located at the front of the parietal lobe, adjacent to the primary motor cortex, which registers and processes sensory information from receptors in the body
temporal lobe
an area located on either side of each cerebral hemisphere; associated with processing auditory information; also believed to be involved in memory, facial recognition, object identification and emotion
primary auditory cortex
the area of the temporal lobes that registers and processes auditory (sound) information
Wernicke’s area
an area of the left temporal lobe responsible for the comprehension of language and the formulation of meaningful sentences
occipital lobe
an area located at the back of each cerebral hemisphere; associated with processing visual information
primary visual cortex
the area at the base of the occipital lobe that registers processes and interrupts visual information sent from each eye
corpus callosum
a thick band of nerve fibres in the middle of the brain that connects the left and right hemispheres and transfers information registered in one hemisphere to the other hemisphere for processing
aphasia
a language impairment, usually caused by left hemisphere damage to Broca’s area (impairing speech production) or Wernicke’s area (impairing understanding of language)
Broca’s aphasia
an impairment in the ability to produce articulate speech, caused by damage to Broca’s area
Wernicke’s aphasia
an impairment in the ability to understand language and formulate coherent, meaningful speech, caused by damage to Wernicke’s area
spatial neglect
a tendency to ignore the left or right side of one’s body or the left or right side of visual space resulting from damage to one of the cerebral hemisphere
split-brain operation
brain surgery involving the cutting of an area of the corpus callosum to interrupt the flow of information between the two cerebral hemispheres
