Chapter 5 - Role of the Brain in Mental Processes and Behaviour Flashcards
Ablation
the surgical removal or destruction of tissue (e.g. brain tissue) by lesioning or using electrodes
Axon
a fibre that transmits nerve signals
Axon terminals
structures at the end of the axon that store and release neurotransmitters
Brain–heart debate
the question
of whether our
thoughts, feelings
and behaviours
originate from our
brain or our heart
Broca’s area
an area of the frontal lobe that is responsible for clear and fluent speech
Cerebellum
an area of the hindbrain involved in coordinating movements and in learning and memory
Cerebral cortex
the thin layer of neurons covering the outer region of the cerebrum, characterised by extensive folding
Cerebral hemispheres
located on the left and right sides of the brain, these areas control motor and sensory functions on opposite sides of the body
Cerebrum
an area of the forebrain that directs conscious motor activity and receives and processes sensory information
Computerised tomography
(CT)
an imaging technique that combines a series of x-ray images taken from different angles to create cross-sectional images of the body
Dendrites
a projection of a neuron that typically branches from the cell body and is able to receive information from other neurons
Electrodes
small wires used to electrically stimulate biological tissues or measure electrical activity in these tissues
Equipotentiality
the ability of healthy areas of the cortex to take over the functions of injured parts
Forebrain
the area of the brain that includes the cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland and limbic system, and which is involved in coordinating brain activity
Frontal lobe
an area of the brain that plays an important role in planning, sequencing and executing voluntary movement
Functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI)
a type of MRI that shows brain activity by measuring oxygen
consumption in the brain, with the assumption that active areas consume more oxygen
Hemispheric specialisation
when one cerebral hemisphere has a specialised function that is not possessed, or is controlled to a lesser extent, by the other
Hindbrain
a region of the brain composed of the cerebellum, medulla oblongata and pons and which is involved in supporting vital bodily processes, such as breathing and sleep
Homeostasis
the condition of maintaining a stable internal environment of the body that is necessary for survival
Hypothalamus
an area of the forebrain that connects the hormonal and nervous systems and helps the body to maintain homeostasis
Lesioning
the creation of small areas of damage (lesions) in the brain
Limbic system
interconnected brain structures in the centre of the forebrain, next to the midbrain, that play a role in emotions, behaviour control and the formation of long-term memories
Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI)
an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to activate atoms in the brain, which then allows a computer to generate an image of the brain
Mass action
the involvement of large areas of the brain in functioning as a whole in order to carry out complex functions
Medulla oblongata
an area of the hindbrain involved in the autonomic functions of the body, such as heart rate and breathing
Midbrain
an area of the brain at the topmost part of the brainstem, involved in auditory and visual processing, motor control, pain inhibition and reward-based learning patterns
Mind–body problem
the extent to which the mind and the body are the same or separate things
Motor information
information that is transmitted along sensory neural pathways from the CNS to the relevant organs, glands and muscles to bring about bodily actions
Myelin
a fatty substance that acts as an insulator to stop nerve signals leaking out, and which also helps speed up the flow of information
Nerve impulse
an electrical message that travels along the axon of a neuron
Neurons
cells that make up the brain and the nervous system and which receive and transmit information
Neurotransmitter
a chemical produced by a neuron that carries a message across the synapse to another neuron; produced within the nervous system, including muscles, organs and glands
Occipital lobe
An area of the brain involved in receiving and processing information related to vision
Parasympathetic nervous
system
activates the rest and digest response after a dangerous or stressful situation has passed
Parietal lobe
an area of the brain involved in attention, spatial awareness and reasoning, and receiving and processing somatosensory information
Phrenology
the study of the shape of the skull as an indicator of the extent of one’s mental faculties and character traits
Pons
an area of the hindbrain that acts as a bridge between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex. Also involved in sleep, arousal, facial expressions and hearing
Positron emission tomography
(PET)
an imaging technique that provides information not only about brain structure but also activity and function by recording the use of glucose by cells in the brain
Reticular activating system
(RAS)
an area in the midbrain that is responsible for alertness and awakening. Ultimately responsible for attention, arousal, control of muscles and the ability to focus. One function of the RAS is to filter out unnecessary information
Reticular formation
an area of the midbrain that plays a role in maintaining arousal, consciousness and motor control
Sensory information
information that is detected by sensory receptors from the internal and external environment and transmitted along sensory neural pathways to the CNS
Substantia nigra
one of the largest collections of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter involved in movement and coordination. Part of the midbrain
Sympathetic nervous system
activates the fight-or-flight-or-freeze response in dangerous or stressful situations
Synapse
the point of communication between two neurons or between a neuron and a target cell, such as a muscle or gland cell
Temporal lobe
an area of the brain that plays a significant role in receiving and processing sounds from the ears, as well as in memory, emotional responses to sensory information and some visual perception, such as the ability to recognise faces and identify objects
Thalamus
an area of the forebrain that processes and relays sensory information
Wernicke’s area
an area of the temporal lobe that plays a critical role in understanding the sounds involved in speech
