Module 9: The Brain Flashcards
records electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the outside of the skull.
electroencephalogram (EEG)
cans provide a detailed, three-dimen- sional computer-generated image of brain structures and activity by aiming a powerful magnetic field at the body.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
scans show biochemical activity within the brain at a given moment. PET scans begin with the injection of a radioactive (but safe) liquid into the bloodstream, which makes its way to the brain.
Positron emission tomography (PET)
exposes a tiny region of the brain to a strong magnetic field, thereby causing a momentary interruption of electrical activity.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is also called
“virtual lesion”
The “old brain,” which controls basic functions such as eating and sleeping and is common to all ver- tebrates.
central core
The part of the brain that controls bodily balance.
- extends from the rear of the hindbrain
cerebellum
The part of the brain extending from the medulla through the pons; it is related to changes in the level of arousal of the body.
reticular formation
The part of the brain located in the middle of the central core that acts primarily to relay information about the senses.
- is hidden within the forebrain, acts primarily as a relay station for information about the senses.
thalamus
Responsible for regulating basic biological needs: hunger, thirst, temperature control
Hypothalamus
“Master” gland that regulates other endocrine glands
Pituitary Gland
Involved in sleep and arousal
Pons
Greek word for Pons
Bridge
A network of neurons related to sleep, arousal, and attention
Reticular Formation
Responsible for communication between brain and rest of body; involved with simple reflexes
Spinal Cord
The “new brain” responsible for the most sophisticated processing
Cerebral Cortex
Bridge of fibers passing information between the two cerebral hemispheres
Corpus Callosum
Relay center for cortex; handles incoming and outgoing signals
Thalamus
Controls bodily balance
Cerebellum
Responsible for regulating largely unconscious functions such as breathing and circulation
Medulla
The major structures in the brain (10)
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Pons
Reticular Formation
Spinal Cord
Cerebral Cortex
Corpus Callosum
Thalamus
Cerebellum
Medulla
A tiny part of the brain, located below the thalamus, that maintains homeostasis
hypothalamus
a steady internal environment for the body. The hypothalamus helps provide a constant body temperature and monitors the amount of nutrients stored in the cells.
homeostasis
The part of the brain that controls eating, aggression, and reproduction.
limbic system
The brain does have pleasure centers in several areas, including some in the limbic system. Consisting of a series of doughnut-shaped structures that include the
amygdala and hippocampus
The four major sections of the cerebral cortex: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.
lobes
Visual Area
Visual association
Occipital Lobe
Primary auditory area
Wernicke’s area
Auditory association area
Temporal Lobe
Somatosensory area
Somatosensory association area
Parietal Lobe
Motor Area
Broca’s Area
Frontal Lobe
The part of the cortex that is largely responsible for the body’s voluntary movement.
motor area
The site in the brain of the tissue that corresponds to each of the senses, with the degree of sensitivity related to the amount of tissue.
sensory area
One of the major re- gions of the cerebral cortex; the site of the higher mental processes, such as thought, language, memory, and speech.
association areas
Changes in the brain that occur throughout the life span relat- ing to the addition of new neurons, new interconnections between neurons, and the reorganization of information processing areas.
neuroplasticity
Symmetrical left and right halves of the brain that control the side of the body opposite to their location.
hemispheres
The dominance of one hemisphere of the brain in specific functions, such as language.
lateralization
