Psy101 L04 Key Terms Flashcards
The largest brain structure; consisting of the upper part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres, it is in charge of most sensory, motor, and cognitive processes. From the Latin for “brain.”
Cerebrum [suh-REE-brum]
A collection of neurons and supportive tissue running from the base of the brain down the center of the back, protected by a column of bones (the spinal column).
Spinal cord
A collection of several thin layers of cells covering the cerebrum; it is largely responsible for higher mental functions. Cortex is Latin for “bark” or “rind.”
Cerebral cortex
The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates the internal organs and glands.
Autonomic nervous system
A recording of neural activity detected by electrodes.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A brain structure that regulates movement and balance and is involved in the learning of certain kinds of simple responses.
Cerebellum
Lobes at the lower back part of the brain.
Occipital [ahk-SIP-uh-tuhl] lobes
A method for studying the body and brain tissue without injecting chemicals.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
A bundle of nerve fibers (axons and sometimes dendrites) in the peripheral nervous system.
Nerve
Immature cells that renew themselves and have the potential to develop into mature cells; given encouraging environments, stem cells from early embryos can develop into any cell type.
Stem cells
Lobes at the top of the brain’s cerebral cortex; they contain areas that receive information on pressure, pain, touch, and temperature.
Parietal [puh-RYE-uh-tuhl] lobes
The subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes bodily resources and increases the output of energy during emotion and stress.
Sympathetic nervous system
The subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that connects to sensory receptors and to skeletal muscles; sometimes called the skeletal nervous system.
Somatic nervous system
The bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.
Corpus callosum [CORE-puhs cah-LOW-suhm]
The subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that operates during relaxed states and that conserves energy.
Parasympathetic nervous system
A chemical substance that is released by a transmitting neuron at the synapse and that alters the activity of a receiving neuron.
Neurotransmitter
A brain structure involved in emotions and drives vital to survival, such as fear, hunger, thirst, and reproduction; it regulates the autonomic nervous system.
Hypothalamus
A method for analyzing biochemical activity in the brain, using injections of a glucose-like substance containing a radioactive element.
PET scan (positron-emission tomography)
A brain structure involved in the storage of new information in memory.
Hippocampus
All portions of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord; it includes sensory and motor nerves.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
A small endocrine gland at the base of the brain, which releases many hormones and regulates other endocrine glands.
Pituitary gland
The part of the brain located in the temporal lobes which processes sounds.
Auditory cortex
Lobes at the sides of the brain’s cerebral cortex; they contain areas involved in hearing, memory, perception, emotion, and (in the left lobe, typically) language comprehension.
Temporal lobe
A brain structure that relays sensory messages to the cerebral cortex.
Thalamus
