Module 5 Flashcards
what can damage to the hypothalamus result in
damage to the hypothalamus can reduce eating to the point of starvation
how can neuroscientists stimulate various parts of the brain
electrically, chemically or magnetically
electroencephalogram (EEG)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brains surface, these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
magnetoencephalography (MEG)
a brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity
positron emission tomography scan (PET)
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy
functional MRI (fMRI)
a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as structure
where does an animals capacities come from
its capacities come from its brain structures
primitive animals brain structure
a not-so-complex brain that primarily regulates basic survival functions like breathing, resting and feeding
lower mammals brain structure
a more complex brain enables emotion and greater memory
advanced mammals brain structure
a brain that processes more information and enables foresight as well
what is the brains oldest and innermost region
the brainstem
what is the base of the brainstem
the base of the brain stem is medulla (the slight swelling in the spinal cord just after it enters the skull)
where are the controls for your heartbeat and breathing
the brain stem
where is the pons
just above the medulla
what is the function of the pons
the pons helps coordinate movements and control sleep
where is the thalamus located
the thalamus is attached to the top of the brain stem
what is the function of the thalamus
the thalamus receives information from all our senses except smell and then routes that information to the higher brain regions that deal with seeing, hearing, tasting, and touching
what is the reticular “netlike”formation
a neuron network extending from the spinal cord right up through the thalamus, it filters incoming stimuli and relays important information to other brain areas
what is the cerebellum
deep brain structures involved in motor movement that enables nonverbal learning and skill memory
what are the results of an injury to the cerebellum
- difficulty walking
- difficulty keeping balance
- difficulty shaking hands
- jerky and exaggerated movements
where does our brain process most information
outside of our awareness
what does the limbic system contain
- the amygdala
- the hypothalamus
- the hippocampus
what is the amygdala
two Lima bean sized neural clusters to aggression and fear
what do those with amygdala lesions often display
those with amygdala lesions often display reduced arousal to fear-and-anger arousing stimuli
where is the hypothalamus located
just below the hypothalamus
what is the function of the hypothalamus
it is an important link in the command chain governing bodily maintenance
what do some neural clusters in the hypothalamus influence
they can influence hunger or regulate thirst, body temp and sexual behavior
what do the thalamus and hypothalamus maintain together
they help to maintain a steady homeostatic internal state
how does the hypothalamus monitor your body state
it tunes into your blood chemistry and any incoming orders from other brain parts
how does the hypothalamus monitor your bodies sexual thoughts
it picks up signals from your brains cerebral cortex that you are thinking about sex, your hypothalamus will secrete hormones, they will in turn trigger the “master gland” of the endocrine system
what is the “master gland”
your pituitary gland
what does the pituitary gland influence
the pituitary influence your sex glands to release their hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)
what is the interplay between the nervous and endocrine systems
the brain influences the endocrine system, which in turn influences the brain
what is the hippocampus
a seahorse shaped brain structure
what is the function of the hippocampus
the hippocampus processes conscious, explicit memories and decreases in size and function as we grow older
what happens to people who lose their hippocampus to surgery or injury
they also lose their ability to form new memories of facts or events
