PSYCH 100 - Chapter 3 Flashcards
endocrine system
A network of glands that produces and releases hormones into the bloodstream to regulate the body’s activities. (3.4
adrenal glands
The endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys; they produce a variety of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, that are central to the stress response. (3.4)
pituitary gland
The master endocrine gland, located at the base of the brain, that in addition to producing its own hormones regulates hormone production in other glands. (3.4)
occipital lobe
A lobe that runs along the back portion of the head; contains the primary visual cortex and is largely devoted to vision. (3.5)
temporal lobe
A lobe that runs alongside the ears; contains the primary auditory cortex and is responsible for the ability to hear and understand language. (3.5)
parietal lobe
A lobe that runs alongside the head above and behind the ears; contains the primary somatosensory cortex, supporting a map of the body’s skin surface and the sense of touch. (3.5)
frontal lobe
A lobe located in the front of the head; contains the primary motor cortex and a map of the body’s muscles, essential for movement and planning. (3.5)
insular lobe
The cortex that is insulated by the overlying cortex; supports the sense of taste and allows perception of the internal organs. (3.5)
neocortex
The evolutionarily newest cerebral cortex that is the largest part of the human brain; supports complex functions, including language, thought, problem solving, and imagination. (3.5)
primary sensory areas
The first regions of the cerebral cortex to receive signals from a sensory organ via its sensory nerve. (3.5)
primary motor cortex
The cortex that is responsible for voluntary movements. (3.5)
primary somatosensory cortex
The cortex that is responsible for the sense of touch. (3.5)
association cortex
The cortex that integrates information coming in from the senses with existing knowledge. (3.5)
limbic system
A system often associated with emotion; it bridges the older, lower brain regions that regulate the body with the newer, higher brain structures more related to complex mental functions. (3.6)
hippocampus
A component of the limbic system crucial for certain aspects of memory, the ability to navigate the environment, and the ability to think about the future. (3.6)
amygdala
A component of the limbic system important for registering the emotional significance of events. (3.6)
basal ganglia
A group of interconnected structures that are an evolutionarily older subcortical motor system necessary for planning and executing movement. (3.6)
thalamus
A subcortical structure deep in the middle of the brain; communicates information to and from all of the sensory systems except the olfactory (smell) system, regulating alertness and consciousness. (3.6)
hypothalamus
The master controller of the brain and body; integrates bodily signals with their associated feelings and behaviors; regulates specific functions, including hunger, body rhythms, reward seeking, and aggression. (3.6)
brainstem
The lowest region of the brain; it sits on top of and is continuous with the spinal cord, collecting sensory signals from the body and sending signals down from the brain to create movement and regulate vital functions. (3.7)
pons
An upper brainstem structure that controls breathing and relays sensations, such as hearing, taste, and balance, to the subcortex and cortex. (3.7)
medulla oblongata
A lower brainstem structure that controls autonomic functions, including heart rate and blood pressure, and reflexes like coughing and swallowing. (3.7)
reticular formation
A structure that runs through the brainstem and is connected to many parts of the brain; plays a central role in arousal and attention. (3.7)
cerebellum
A hindbrain structure that supports a variety of functions, including coordination, precision, balance, and accurate timing. (3.7)
