Unit 3B - Biological Bases of Behavior (The Brain) Flashcards

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1
Q

lesion

A

tissue destruction; a brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

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2
Q

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface; measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

presents a stimulus repeatedly and uses a computer to filter out brain activity unrelated to the stimulus in order to identify the electrical wave evoked by the stimulus

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3
Q

CT (computed tomography) scan

A

a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body

X-ray photographs can reveal brain damage

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4
Q

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

A

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

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5
Q

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

A

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

MRI scans show brain anatomy

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6
Q

fMRI (functional MRI)

A

a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans

fMRI scans show brain function

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7
Q

brainstem

A

the oldest part and central core of the brain; extension of the spinal cord

location: begins where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull
includes: pons & medulla

response for: automatic survival functions

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8
Q

medulla

A

location: the base of the brainstem

part of: brainstem (with pons)

responsible for: heartbeat & breathing

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9
Q

pons

A

location: the base of the brainstem above the medulla

part of: brainstem (with medulla)

responsible for: coordinating movement

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10
Q

reticular formation

A

a network of neurons; some of the spinal cord’s sensory input travels through the reticular formation

location: extends from the spinal cord right up to the thalamus

responsible for: producing arousal

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11
Q

thalamus

A

the brain’s sensory switchboard, directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

location: top of the brainstem

responsible for: receiving info from all of the senses except smell and routing it to the higher brain regions that deal with seeing, hearing, tasting, and touching

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12
Q

cerebellum

A

the “little brain” that consists of two wrinkled halves

location: the rear of the brainstem

responsible for: processing sensory input (images) and coordinating movement output & balance (coordination)

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13
Q

cerebral hemispheres

A

the two halves of the brain

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14
Q

limbic system

A

doughnut-shaped neural system

location: below the cerebral hemispheres
includes: hippocampus, amygdala & hypothalamus

responsible for: emotions (fear & anger) and basic motives (food & sex)

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15
Q

amygdala

A

two lima bean-sized neural clusters

part of: the limbic system

responsible for: fear & aggression

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16
Q

hypothalamus

A

an important link in the chain of command governing bodily maintenance; consists of “reward” centers

location: below (hypo) the thalamus

part of: the limbic system

responsible for: eating, drinking & body temperature

17
Q

hippocampus

A

location: below the cerebral cortex

part of: the limbic system

responsible for: memory

18
Q

cerebral cortex

A

layer of the brain that consists of nerves

covers the outer portion of the cerebrum and cerebellum

19
Q

pituitary gland

A

controlled by the nearby hypothalamus