Chapter 3B Vocab

Question 1

Tissue destruction; a brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Answer 1

Lesion

Question 2

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brains surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

Answer 2

Electroencephalogram EEG

Question 3

A series of X-Ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body.

Answer 3

Computed Tomography scan

Question 4

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

Answer 4

Positron emission tomography scan

Question 5

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a computer generated images of soft tissue. Shows brain anatomy

Answer 5

Magnetic resonance imaging

Question 6

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function.

Answer 6

Functional MRI

Question 7

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brain stem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

Answer 7

Brainstem

Question 8

The base of the Brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Answer 8

Medulla

Question 9

A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

Answer 9

Reticular formation

Question 10

The brain sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Answer 10

Thalamus

Question 11

The little brain at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

Answer 11

Cerebellum

Question 12

Doughnut shape neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

Answer 12

Limbic system

Question 13

To lima beans sized neural clusters in the limbic system; link to emotion

Answer 13

Amygdala

Question 14

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the bodies ultimate control and information processing center

Answer 14

Cerebral cortex

Question 15

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Answer 15

Glial cells

Question 16

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

Answer 16

Frontal lobes

Question 17

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Answer 17

Parietal lobes

Question 18

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

Answer 18

Occipital lobes

Question 19

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

Answer 19

Temporal lobes

Question 20

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Answer 20

Motor cortex

Question 21

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Answer 21

Sensory cortex

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Association areas

Question 23

Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Brokas area or to Wernick’s area

Answer 23

Aphasia

Question 24

Controls language expression – and area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

Answer 24

Brocas area

Question 25

Controls language reception – a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left Temporel lobe

Answer 25

Wernick’s area

Question 26

The brains ability to change especially during childhood by rearranging after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Answer 26

Plasticity

Question 27

The formation of new neurons

Answer 27

Neurogenesis

Question 28

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and caring messages between them

Answer 28

Corpus callosum

Question 29

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brains to hemispheres by cutting the fibers

Answer 29

Split brain

Question 30

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Answer 30

Consciousness

Question 31

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition

Answer 31

Cognitive neuroscience

Question 32

The principle that information is often simultaneously process on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Answer 32

Dual processing

Question 33

A neural structure lying below the Salamis; it directs several maintenance activities helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is going to emotion and reward

Answer 33

Hypothalamus