Module 4: Tools of Discovery, Older Brain Structures, and the Limbic System

Question 1

Lesion

Answer 1

• Tissue destruction.

- A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

Question 2

EEG (electroencephalogram)

Answer 2

• An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface.
• These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

Question 3

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

Answer 3

• A brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity.
• Participants complete activities
  • Neuron’s create electrical impulses
    
    • Create magnetic fields
      
      • Speed and strength of magnetic fields tell how
        certain activities influence brain activity.

Question 4

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

Answer 4

• A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.
• Active neurons consume glucose
  • Shows most active brain areas

Question 5

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Answer 5

• A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue.
• MRI scans show brain anatomy.

Question 6

fMRI (functional MRI)

Answer 6

• A technique for revealing blood flow, and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans.
• fMRI shows the brain’s function as well as the structure.

Question 7

Brainstem

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Medulla

Answer 8

• Base of the brainstem

- Controls heartbeat and breathing

Question 9

Pons

Answer 9

• Above the medulla

- Helps coordinate movement and control sleep

Question 10

Thalamus

Answer 10

• The brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem.
• Directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.
• Info from all senses except smell

Question 11

Reticular Formation

Answer 11

• A nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus
• Plays an important role in controlling arousal
• Alertness and arousal
  
  • Keeps us awake

Question 12

Cerebellum

Answer 12

• The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem
• Functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.
• Helps us judge time, modulate our emotions and discriminate sounds and textures
• Muscle memory

Question 13

Limbic System

Answer 13

• Between the oldest and newest brain areas
• Neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres
• Associated with emotions and drives

Question 14

Amygdala

Answer 14

• Two lima-bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system
• Linked to emotion
  
  • Aggression and fear

Question 15

Hypothalamus

Answer 15

• A neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus
• Directs several maintenance activities (sexual behavior, eating, drinking, body temperature)
• Helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
• Helps us maintain a steady (homeostatic) internal state

Question 16

Hippocampus

Answer 16

• A neural center located in the limbic system
• Helps process explicit (conscious) memories - of fact and events - for storage
• Lose hippocampus
  
  • Lose ability to form new memories of facts and events

Question 17

Corpus Callosum

Answer 17

• Axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.