u3v2 Flashcards
(28 cards)
pituitary gland
the endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands
occipital lobe
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head, includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
somatosensory cortex
an area at the front of the parietal lobes, registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
lesion
Scientists can also selectively lesion (destroy) tiny clusters of normal or defective brain cells, leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed
temporal lobe
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears, includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
medulla
Base of the brainstem, controls heartbeat and breathing
corupus callosum
the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
parietal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear, receives sensory input for touch andbody position
CT (computed tomography) scan
a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure, AKA CAT SCAN
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue, these display brain anatomy
(PET) positron emission tomography scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task, rather like weather radar showing rain activity, PET-scan “hot spots” show the most active brain areas as the person does mathematical calculations, looks at images of faces, or daydreams
MEG (madnetoencephalography)
a brain imaging technique
that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity
frontal lobes
the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead, involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
electrocephalogram (EEG)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface, These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
adrenal glands
a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that help arouse the body in times of stress (FOF)
fMRI
a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans, show brain function as well as structure
thalamus
the brain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem, it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
association areas
areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions - rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking
glial cells
provide nutrients and insulating myelin, guide neural connections, and mop up ions and neurotransmitters - Worker bees to neuron queen bees; play a role in learning thinking
amygdala
two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system, Linked to emotion, aggression and fear
cerebellum
functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory, “little brain”
brainstem
beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions, it is the The oldest part and central core of the brain
hypothalamus
a neural structure lying below(hypo)the thalamus - it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
hippocampus
a neural center located in the limbic system that helps process for storage explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events
