Unit 1: Module 1.4a - 1.4c

Question 1

Biological psychology

Answer 1

The scientific study of the links between biological and psychological processes

Question 2

Biopsychosocial approach

Answer 2

An integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis

Question 3

Levels of analysis

Answer 3

The differing complementary views, from biological to psychological to social-cultural

Question 4

Neuroplasticity

Answer 4

The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage

Question 5

Lesion

Answer 5

Tissue destruction / may occur during surgery

Question 6

EEG (Electroencephalogram

Answer 6

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface

Question 7

MEG (Magnetoencephalography)

Answer 7

A brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity

Question 8

CT (Computed Tomography) scan

Answer 8

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles to make slices of the brain’s structure

Question 9

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

Answer 9

A technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radio form of glucose goes

Question 10

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Answer 10

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue

Question 11

fMRI (Functional MRI)

Answer 11

A technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity

Question 12

Hindbrain

Answer 12

Consists of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum; directs essential survival functions, such as breathing

Question 13

Midbrain

Answer 13

Found atop the brain stem; connects the hindbrain with the forebrain, controls some motor movement

Question 14

Forebrain

Answer 14

Consists of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus; manages complex cognitive activities

Question 15

Brainstem

Answer 15

The central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; is responsible for automatic survival skills

Question 16

Medulla

Answer 16

The hindbrain structure that is the brain stem’s base; controls heartbeat and breathing

Question 17

Thalamus

Answer 17

The forebrain’s sensory control center, located on top of the brain stem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex

Question 18

Reticular formation

Answer 18

A nerve network that travels through the brain stem into the thalamus; it filters information and controls arousal

Question 19

Cerebellum

Answer 19

The hindbrain’s “little brain” at the rear of the brain stem; its functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance

Question 20

Limbic system

Answer 20

Neural system located mostly in the forebrain; associated with emotions and drives

Question 21

Amygdala

Answer 21

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

Question 22

Hypothalamus

Answer 22

A limbic system neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities

Question 23

Hippocampus

Answer 23

A neural center in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories

Question 24

Cerebral cortex

Answer 24

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the forebrain’s cerebral hemispheres

Question 25

Frontal lobes

Answer 25

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; enables linguistic processing and muscle movements

Question 26

Partietal lobes

Answer 26

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Question 27

Occipital lobes

Answer 27

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fieldsT

Question 28

Temporal lobes

Answer 28

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; it includes the auditory areas and enable language processing

Question 29

Motor cortex

Answer 29

A cerebral cortex area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Question 30

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 30

A cerebral cortex area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch

Question 31

Association areas

Answer 31

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in higher mental functions such as learning

Question 32

Neurogenesis

Answer 32

The formation of new neuronsCorpu

Question 33

Corpus callosum

Answer 33

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carries messages between them

Question 34

Split brain

Answer 34

A condition resulting from surgery that separates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers