Option A: A.2 The Human Brain Flashcards
Neurogenesis
the growth and development of nervous tissue.
Neural tube
(in an embryo) a hollow structure from which the brain and spinal cord form
Forebrain
the front part of the three primary divisions of the brain of a vertebrate embryo
Cerebral hemispheres
Either of the two symmetrical halves of the cerebrum. They are associated with intelligence, personality, sensory impulses, motor function, organization and problem solving
Cerebrum
the main portion of the brain, occupying the upper part of the cranial cavity; its two hemispheres, united by the corpus callosum, form the largest part of the central nervous system in humans.
Synapse
a junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
Hypothalamus
Maintains homeostasis, coordinating the nervous and the endocrine systems. It controls the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones
Pituitary gland
It has two lobes (posterior lobe and anterior lobe). Both are controlled by the hypothalamus, and is important in controlling growth, secretes hormones
Cerebellum
Associated with the regulation and coordination of movement and balance. Unconscious functions.
Medulla Oblongata
Controls automatic and homeostatic activities, such as swallowing, digestion, vomiting. Maintains vital body functions such as breathing and heart rate
Medulla Oblongata
- It contains a swallowing centre that coordinates the muscles of the mouth, pharynx (throat) and larynx (adam’s apple) so that food will move down the oesophagus and not down windpipe.
- It also controls breathing by monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. If increase in CO2, rate and depth of breathing is increased so that more oxygen is take in
- also the cardiovascular centre of the body.
legions
a region in an organ or tissue which has suffered damage through injury or disease, such as a wound, ulcer, abscess, or tumour.
Axons
the long thread-like part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
Corpus Callosum
a broad band of nerve fibres joining the two hemispheres of the brain. Allows communication between the right and left sides of the brain. Made up of myelinated neurones and called white matter.
Functions of Left Hemisphere
contains areas important for all forms of communication. Damage to this area could be caused by a stroke, and patients may have difficulty speaking and doing complicated movements with their hands and arms
Functions of Right Hemisphere
It specializes in receiving and analyzing the information that comes from all of our senses. Helps us to understand what we hear and see. Patients w/ damage to this area have difficulty identifying faces and locating an object correctly in space.
Broca area
a brain center associated with the motor control of speech and usually located in the left side of the frontal lobe. Injury in this area interferes with ability to vocalize words
Wernicke area
An area located in the rear of the left temporal lobe of the brain. It is associated with the ability to recognize and understand spoken language. Injury to this area affects the ability to put words into sentences.
Epilepsy
a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Optic Chiasm
a site at the base of the forebrain where the inner half of the fibers of the left and right optic nerves cross to the opposite side of the brain.
fMRI
Functional magnetic resonance imaging, uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field, not X-rays. Allows to see blood flow. Can see what parts of the brain are active during different activities.
Autopsy
inspection and dissection of a body after death, as for determination of the cause of death; postmortem examination.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
the complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the body. In vertebrates it comprises the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord. Somatic and autonomic systems (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
Somatic System
Part of the PNS. Takes sensory information from sensory receptors to the Central Nervous System and then sends back motor commands from the CNS to the muscles. Pain reflex is part of this system. Voluntary control of muscles.
Autonomic System (ANS)
Part of the PNS. Involuntary and regulates the activities of glands, smooth muscle and the heart. Located in the medulla oblongata. In this system, there is the Sympathetic system and the Parasympathetic system, and Enteric.