Parts of the Brain Flashcards
Subcortical Structures
Parts of the brain below the cortex; at the center of brain
Medulla
Regulates automatic functions like breathing, heartbeat, swallowing, etc.
Cerebellum
Coordinates skilled motor movements and automation of tasks
Hypothalamus
Regulates appetites: hunger, thirst, sleep, etc.
4 Lobes of Cerebral Cortex
Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal
How do we know which parts of the brain do what?
1) MRI scans brain activity when acting
2) Injuries and impairments
Apraxia
The loss of ability to do simple gestures (like waving)
Agnosia
A disorder in perception (can see, but can’t recognize things)
Prosopagnosia
The inability to recognize faces
Sensory Neglect
A disorder that blocks out one side of the world (only eats half a plate, finishes half a task, etc.)
Aphasia
A disorder that has trouble with communicating with others
Acquired Psychopathy
An acquired loss of moral sense
Lateralization
The separation of the brain in left or right hemispheres
Contralateral Organization
How one side of the brain sees the other side; one side of the brain sends sensory info to the other side. The motor and visual crossover.
Differences Between Left and Right Brain
Left - language, logic, reasoning, etc.
Right - imagination, awareness, insight, creativity
Corpus Callosum
Bridges the right and left side of the brain, allowing conversation from each side.
If an apple is flashed on a side, would it be faster for you to say it’s an apple if it were flashed on the right or the left?
Right (sensory info seen in left hemisphere; if left side, sensory info goes to right hemisphere and transmits through the corpus collosum to the left.)
When could people cut the corpus callosum? What happens?
Epilepsy cure. Ends up with ‘2 different people’ as communication between each hemisphere is disallowed.
