Fundamental structures and processes within the Brain Flashcards
is the field of study linking the brain and other aspects of the nervous system to cognitive processing and, ultimately, to behavior.
Cognitive neuroscience
the organ in our bodies that most directly controls our thoughts, emotions, and motivations
Brain
A major goal of present research on the brain is?
to study localization of function
refers to the specific areas of the brain that control specific skills or behaviors
Localization of function
the basis for our ability to perceive, adapt to, and interact with the world around us
Nervous system
Through this system, we receive, process, and then respond to information from the environment
Nervous system
The region of the brain located toward the top and front of the brain
Forebrain
It comprises the cerebral cortex, the basal ganglia, the limbic system, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus
Forebrain
the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres
Cerebral cortex
It plays a vital role in our thinking and other mental processes
Cerebral cortex
True or False:
The forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain contain structures that perform essential functions for survival and for high-level thinking and feeling.
True
influences anger and aggression
Amygdala
relays information between the two cerebral hemispheres
Corpus callosum
controls thinking and sensing functions, voluntary movement
Cerebral cortex
influences anger and fear
Septum
influences learning and memory
Hippocampus
relays sensory information to cerebral cortex
Thalamus
regulates temperature, eating, sleeping, and endocrine system
Hypothalamus
reticular activating system: carries messages about sleep and arousal
Midbrain
relays information between cerebral cortex and cerebellum
Pons
coordinates fine muscle movement & balance
Cerebellum
relays nerve impulses between brain and body, controls simple reflexes
Spinal cord
are collections of neurons crucial to motor function
Basal ganglia
True or False:
Dysfunction of the basal ganglia can result in motor deficits. These deficits include tremors, involuntary movements, changes in posture and muscle tone, and slowness of movement.
True
allows us to suppress instinctive responses; helps us to adapt our behaviors flexibly in response to our changing environment and; important to emotion, motivation, memory, and learning.
Limbic system
involved in anger and fear
Septum
plays an important role in emotion as well, especially in anger and aggression
Amygdala
plays an essential role in memory formation. It is essential for flexible learning and for seeing the relations among items learned as well as for spatial memory.
Hippocampus
relays incoming sensory information through groups of neurons that project to the appropriate region in the cortex; also helps in the control of sleep and waking
Thalamus
regulates behavior related to species survival: fighting, feeding, fleeing, and mating. The h____ also is active in regulating emotions and reactions to stress
Hypothalamus
The _____ plays a role in sleep.
The ____ also is important for the functioning of the endocrine system.
It is involved in the stimulation of the pituitary glands, through which a range of hormones are produced and released.
Hypothalamus
helps to control eye movement and coordination
Midbrain
RAS stands for?
Reticular Activating System
Both the __ and the ___ are essential to our having any conscious awareness of our control over our existence
RAS & Thalamus
connects the forebrain to the spinal cord
Brainstem
A structure called the P___ g__ is in the brainstem. This region seems to be essential for certain kinds of adaptive behaviors.
Periaqueductal gray (PAG)
serves as a kind of relay station because it contains neural fibers that pass signals from one part of the brain to another
Pons
also contain a portion of the RAS and nerves serving parts of the head and face
Pons