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AP Psychology > Module 2 Lesson 2 - The Brain, brain imaging, and Heredity and Behavior > Flashcards

Module 2 Lesson 2 - The Brain, brain imaging, and Heredity and Behavior Flashcards

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1
Q

How much of our brain do we use each day?

A

We use practically ALL of our brains in everyday functions.

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2
Q

Is brain damage reversible? This is due to…

A

Yes, in certain cases. Due to plasticity, our brain can reorganize itself from injury and create new neural pathways with new experiences (especially in young people). This is the ultimate goal of physicians and therapists.

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3
Q

Can people’s personalities be only based on whether they are left or right-brained? (left for logic, and right for creativity)

A

Not really! Brain imaging technology tells us that both hemispheres of the brain work together and that functions don’t take place solely in either hemisphere.

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4
Q

Lesion

A

The process of cutting into or destroying brain tissue (ex. Removing a tumor). Doctors use this as a last resort which allows doctors to examine how damage can affect a subject.

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5
Q

What is an Electroencephalogram (EEG) and what does it do? What does it reveal?

A

Responsible for measuring brain waves through electrodes that are placed on the scalp. It records brain waves and reveal the way peoples’ sleep patterns work

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6
Q

What is a CT (Computer Tomography) scan, and what can it detect?

A

An imaging technique involving the use of x-ray photographs from different angles, as well as a computer to provide cross-sectional images of the body and look for damage. Concussions and tumors can be detected.

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7
Q

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan

A

An imaging technique utilizing radioactive glucose to show brain activity while tasks are performed.

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8
Q

What is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and what does it produce? When can it be used?

A

An imaging technique that involves the use of magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computerized images of soft tissues. A follow-up MRI can be used after a tumor is found by a CT Scan.

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9
Q

What is fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), what does it do, and when is it preferred?

A

A brain imaging technique responsible for displaying blood flow and activity via the succession of MRI scans. It is a combination of PET and MRI, allowing doctors to examine how well the brain is functioning, along with detailed imaging of the brain structures. Thus, fMRI scans are sometimes preferred during working memory tasks.

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10
Q

Brainstem

A

The oldest part of the brain responsible for the automatic functions of the body.

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11
Q

Medulla

A

A part of the brain found at the base of the brainstem, controlling heartbeat and breathing.

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12
Q

Reticular formation

A

A bundle of nerves found in the midbrain that is responsible for controlling arousal and the ability to focus and give attention.

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13
Q

Thalamus

A

A part of the brain found at the top of the brainstem. Responsible for sending sensory signals to different places in the brain (the brain’s “switchboard”).

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14
Q

Cerebellum

A

A part of the brain found at the rear of the brain, resembling a small brain. Responsible for tube body’s balance, coordination, etc…

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15
Q

Limbic System

A

A region of the brain, this is the “emotion center,” which consists of the hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus.

Nicknamed the body’s “reward center” back in a 1954 experiment where an electrode was mistakenly implanted on purpose to a rat’s hypothalamus. Whenever the rat pressed a level, it received a pleasurable stimulation (a dopamine release). Many animals have similar reward centers, and this involves the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala of the limbic system.

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16
Q

Amygdala

A

A part of the brain found at the tip of the hippocampus which processes emotions such as anger and fear.

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17
Q

Pons

A

A part of the brain found on the top of the medulla and connects information from the cerebellum to the cerebrum. This is important for attention and facial expressions.

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18
Q

Hypothalamus

A

A part of the brain found below the thalamus that links the endocrine and nervous systems. It controls the pituitary gland, which decides when to release hormones that affect thirst, body temperature, and sexual behavior.

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19
Q

Cerebral Cortex

A

A layer of nerve cells, they cover the cerebral hemispheres.

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20
Q

Glial Cells

A

These are cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.

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21
Q

Frontal Lobes

A

The lobes at the fount of the head, they are responsible for high-level functions. (ex. making plans, judgments) They contain mechanisms for speaking (Broca) and muscle movement (motor cortex).

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22
Q

Parietal Lobes

A

The lobes at the front of the top of the head, they receive sensory information (Sensory cortex) for touch and body position.

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23
Q

Occipital Lobes

A

The lobes at the back of the head, they receive and process visual information (visual cortex).

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24
Q

Temporal Lobes

A

The lobes at the side of the head, above the head. They receive and process sound (auditory cortex).

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25
Q

Motor Cortex

A

This area is found in the frontal lobe, processing voluntary muscle movements.

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26
Q

Sensory Cortex

A

This area is found in the parietal lobe and processes sensory information such as touch.

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27
Q

Association Areas

A

Areas of the cerebral cortex without any specific function involved in higher functioning (ex. Thinking critically, learning)

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28
Q

Hemispheric Specialization

A

Distinct neurological functions that occur in each hemisphere of the brain.

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29
Q

Aphasia (and when does it occur?)

A

Language impairment occurs when language mechanisms in the left hemisphere of the brain have been damaged.

30
Q

Broca’s Area

A

A part of the brain found in the left frontal lobe. They are needed for language and expression, and also control the muscles’ movements in a speech.

31
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

An area of the brain found in the left temporal, responsible for language reception and comprehension.

32
Q

Corpus Callosum

A

A band of fibers, allowing the left and right hemispheres to communicate.

33
Q

Split Brain

A

A condition that occurs when the corpus callosum is cut, discontinuing communication between the two hemispheres.

34
Q

Plasticity

A

The brain’s ability to create new neural pathways even when brain damage has occurred. This is especially the case during childhood, as new experiences are recorded.

35
Q

What did Franz Gall believe?

A

Back in the 1800s, a physician - Franz Gall - believed that the bumps on a person’s head could explain the mental abilities and personalities of that individual. This practice was known as Phrenology and eventually died out.

36
Q

What is phrenology?

A

The study of how bumps on an individual’s forehead (or the shape of the head) could explain their mental abilities.

37
Q

What are the ways in which the brain is studied today?

A

Lesions, EEG, CT Scan, MRI, PET, and FMRIs.

38
Q

Where is the hindbrain? What is it considered to be?

A

It sits just above the spinal cord and is considered to be a life support system.

39
Q

What is the brainstem made of?

A

The hindbrain and midbrain together are called the brainstem. Together, they may be nicknamed the “old brain.”

40
Q

Forebrain (cerebrum)

A

The forebrain is the largest, most complex part of the brain. It is covered by a lining of nerve cells called the cerebral cortex.

41
Q

Hindbrain (cerebellum)

A

This brain part is found at the rear of the brain and is almost like a small brain itself. It is responsible for the person’s balance and coordination.

42
Q

Midbrain

A

Helps coordinate simple movements with sensory information. The reticular formation (a bundle of nerves) is found here and controls arousal and our ability to focus attention.

43
Q

Medulla Oblongata

A

Found at the bottom of the brain stem, it helps regulate blood pressure, breathing, and heartbeats.

44
Q

Spinal Cord

A

A bundle of nerve fibers that descend through a canal from the brain.

45
Q

Hippocampus

A

Surrounds the thalamus and helps processing memory. Any desired information to remember travels through the hippocampus. This is necessary to store new memories.

46
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Found below the thalamus and aims to control the body’s hormones to influence thirst, hunger, body temperature, and sexual behavior.

47
Q

How is the cerebrum divided?

A

Into 4 lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. Each lobe contains a cortex: the motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, auditory cortex, and visual cortex.

48
Q

What are association areas?

A

Some areas of the brain don’t have specific functions assigned. They help with the integration of information coming into the brain.

49
Q

Frontal Lobe

A

Located at the front of the head, it is responsible for planning, making decisions, controlling emotions, and establishing personality

50
Q

Motor Cortex

A

Found near the back of the frontal lobe and is responsible for motor movement. Stimulation of different regions of the cortex can cause different parts of the body to move.

51
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

Found at the top of the brain, it is responsible for processing sensory information like taste, smell, touch, and temperature. The somatosensory cortex is around here to cause sensations in different areas of the body.

52
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

Found near the back of the brain. Responsible for receiving visual information. The visual cortex is found around here to process the visual information the brain receives from the eyes.

53
Q

Auditory Lobe

A

Located on the side of the brain just above the ears. The main function is to receive sound. The auditory cortex here is responsible for processing sound information.

54
Q

What is hemispheric specialization?

A

Each hemisphere of the brain (left and right) has differing functions

55
Q

What does the left hemisphere do?

A
  • Time-sensitive
  • Processes information sequentially and analytically
  • Recognizes words and numbers
  • Responsible for spoken language
56
Q

What does the right hemisphere do?

A
  • Recognizes faces, places, and objects
  • Processes holistically and abstractly
  • Space-sensitive
  • Controls the left side of the body
  • Interprets gestures, emotions, and facial movements
57
Q

Which hemisphere of the brain does language production and comprehension take place?

A

In the left hemisphere

58
Q

Broca’s Area

A

Discovered by Paul Broca, it is located in the left frontal lobe and controls language expression by controlling muscle movements needed for language production. Thus, a person who suffers from Broca’s aphasia will struggle to speak their words even if they have the right words in their head

59
Q

Angular Gyrus

A

Sits behind the Wernicke’s area, it takes visual information from the visual cortex and recodes it into a spoken language. This also is important in written language expression, especially when it comes to reading out loud.

60
Q

Wernicke’s Area

A

Found by Carl Wernicke, it is found in the left temporal lobe and helps with language comprehension. If a person has Wernicke’s aphasia, their spoken language may sound like gibberish (strings of meaningless words).

61
Q

Who conducted studies to investigate the two hemispheres of the brain? What did they study exactly?

A

Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga conducted studies to investigate the corpus callosum, a thick band of nerve fibers that connect the two hemispheres

62
Q

Who did these researchers (the two psychologists) study?

A

Epileptic patients who had their corpus callosum severed to limit seizures, A person who had it did not look different than any other person, but the brains processed differently.

63
Q

Describe Gazzaniga’s experiment:

A

Though the hemispheres had different functions, we know Gazzania asked patients with severed corpus callosum to look at a dot on a screen while he flashed the word HE+ART on the screen. When he asked what they saw, they said “art.”

But when he asked them to use their left hand to point to what they saw, they pointed to “HE.”

He then flashed a picture of a spoon to the left hemisphere, which patients saw. But when they flashed the picture of a spoon to the right hemisphere, they replied “nothing.”

And when asked to select something from a bag of objects using their left hand, they picked up the spoon! Their non-speaking right hemisphere could not say the word spoon and was able to use the left hand to find the spoon!

64
Q

What does a behavior geneticist study?

A

They study the differences and attempt to understand the influence of our heredity and our environment.

65
Q

What did Darwin believe in and what are some examples of such behaviors?

A

Darwin stated that genetic traits contribute to survival through natural selection. Simple behaviors such like the fear of spiders or sleeping at night allowed certain genes to be passed down amongst humans in order to keep them surviving and evolving.

66
Q

How many chromosomes does each individual have? Who do they get it from? What do they contain?

A

Each individual has 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. Chromosomes contain DNA which turns into genes, the basic codes of human life.

67
Q

What is heritability?

A

Heritability examines the variation among people and considers how much these differences can be contributed to genetics. If the variability is high, so is the heritability.

68
Q

What was Thomas Bouchard’s study?

A

Thomas Bouchard’s Minnesota Twin Study helped people understand the influence of genetics and the environment. He studied identical twins separated at childbirth over years, and found many similarities that could have been inherited as traits.

69
Q

What does Bouchard’s study show?

A

It shows that while genes can influence personality, so can their environment.

70
Q

Where are the “language parts” of the brain?

A

In the Broca’s Area, the Wernicke’s Area, and the Angular Gyrus.

71
Q

What are the four ___ of the cerebral cortex?

A

The four lobes are frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.

72
Q

How is the brain divided?

A

3 sections - the hindbrain (medulla, pons, cerebellum), the midbrain (reticular formation), and the forebrain (limbic system - thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus).

AP Psychology (26 decks)

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