The Brain: Damage Response and Brain Hemispheres

Question 1

Neuroplasticity

Answer 1

how our brain adapts to new situations - but how does it reorganize itself after damage?

Question 2

Hemispherectomy

Answer 2

removal of a cerebral hemisphere; if the brain is young enough, the existing hemisphere will take over
duties of the lost hemisphere

Question 3

Neurogenesis

Answer 3

formation of new neurons
○ Stem cells - cells found in embryos that can develop into any type of brain cell

Question 4

Lateralization

Answer 4

each brain hemisphere has specific functions (even though they look identical) ○ Left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body (& vice versa)

Question 5

Corpus callosum

Answer 5

large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres & carrying messages between them

Question 6

Split brain

Answer 6

condition resulting from surgery that separates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them

Question 7

Left hemisphere

Answer 7

language (spoken or signed), logic

Question 8

Right hemisphere

Answer 8

perceptual tasks (recognizing faces, interpreting emotions, etc.)