Module 11 & 12: Studying the Brain & Cerebral Cortex Flashcards
Lesion
Tissue destruction; naturally or experimentally caused
How are the brain and body wired?
The body’s right side is wired to the brian’s left side and the body’s left side is wired to the brain’s right side
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Amplified recording of waves depicting electrical activity across the brain’s surface - electrodes on the scalp
Computed Tomography (CT scan)
X-ray from different angles with computer aid to create a representation of a slice of the brain’s structure
Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan)
Detects the location of radioactive glucose when the brain performs a task - visible image of brain activity
Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic fields & radio waves to create an image of soft tissue - shows brain anatomy
Note: Electrical activity sweeps the brain’s surface in waves
Ventricles
Fluid-filled brain areas ; linked to some cases of Schizophrenia
Functional MRI (fMRI)
Reveals blood flow and brain activity by comparing successives MRIs
Reveals brain functioning and structure
Note: Blood goes where the brain is very active
Brainstem
Oldest part of central core of the brain; begins where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull
Responsible for automatic survival functions
Medulla
Base of the brainstem
Controls heartbeats and breathing
Thalamus
Top of the brainstem
Brain sensory control center
Direct messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum & medulla
Pons
Aids in coordinating movements and autonomic functions
What is the part of the body that is the crossover point where the nerves to and from both sides of the brain connect with the body’s other side?
The Brainstem
What information does the Thalamus receive and which does it not?
The Thalamus receives informations from all the senses except smell
Sends the information to the higher brain regions that handles seeing, hearing, tasting, and touching
Also directs some of the higher brain replies to the medulla and cerebellum
Reticular Formation
Nerve network
Travels through the brainstem and thalamus
Plays a role in controlling arousal
Filters incoming stimuli and relays important information to other brain areas.
Cerebellum
“little brain” ; near the brainstem
Processes sensory input, coordinates movement output, balance, and enables nonverbal learning & memory, judgement of time, modulates emotions, and discriminates sounds and textures
Limbic System
Neural System: Hippocampus, Amygdala, Hypothalamus)
Located below cerebral hemispheres
Associated with emotions and drives
What does the hippocampus process?
The hippocampus processes conscious memory
Amygdala
Neural clusters in the limbic system ; 2 lima bean sized
Linked to emotions - aggression & fear
Hypothalamus
Below the thalamus
Neural structure that directs several maintenance activities (eating,drinking, body temperature)
Also helps run the endocrine system by controlling the pituitary gland (emotion & reward)
Sexual behavior
True or False? Other stimulating structures besides for the amygdala can evoke aggression & fear
True
How does the hypothalamus monitor the body’s state?
Uses the blood chemistry & incoming orders from the brain
What may cause eating disorders?
Eating disorders & substance disorders can derive from a malfunction in the pleasure system (hypothalamus - dopamine)
People with reward deficiency syndrome may crave whatever provides the missing pleasure or relieves negative feelings
Hippocampus
Above the brainstem
Learning & Memory
Short term to Long term
Cerebral Cortex
Outer layer of the brain (halved into the cerebral hemispheres ; responsible for higher brain functions such as sensation, perception, memory, and association.
Interconnected neural cells that cover the cerebral hemispheres (control & information center)
Glial Cells (glia)
Part of the nervous system
Nourishes, supports, and protects neurons
Plays a part in learning & thinking
Also provides nutrients & insultates the myelin
Guides neural connection
Cerebrum
85% of brain weight
Allows us to perceive, think, and speak
Frontal Lobe
Behind the forehead
Involved in speaking and muscle movements and making plans & judgements
Parietal Lobe
Lying on top of head near the rear
Receives sensory input for touch & body position
Occipital Lobe
Back of the head
Receives information from visual fields
Temporal Lobe
Roughly above the ears
Part of the cerebral cortex
Includes auditory areas
Each receiving information primarily form the opposite ear.
Motor Cortex
Rear of frontal lobe
Controls voluntary movements
Brain Computer Interface/ Cognitive Neural Prosthetics
Mechanical limbs controlled by implanted electrodes in the mind (good for paralyzed people)
Somatosensory Cortex/ Sensory Cortex
Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers & processes body touch and movement sensations
processes incoming sensations such as pain and temperature
Association Areas
Areas of the cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor or sensory function
Involved in higher mental functions (learning,remembering,thinking, & speaking)
It interprets, integrates, and acts on sensory information and links it with stored memories
White matter
What is prevented with damage to the frontal lobe?
Prevents planning ahead and can alter personality. A person’s morals may appear unrestrained by normal emotions
What does association areas in the parietal lobe enable?
It enables mathematical and spatial reasoning
What does association areas in the temporal lobe enable?
It enables us to recognize faces
What does damage to the Broca’s area distrupts?
Speaking
What does damage to the Wernicke’s’ area disrupts?
Understanding
What is the result of synchronized activity among distinct brain areas?
Memory, language, and attention
Plasticity
Ability to change by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experiences
Mostly during childhood
Neurogenesis
The formation of new neurons
Starts deep in the brain then migrates and forms connections with neighboring neurons
