Unit 3B The Brain

Question 1

Lesion

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Electroencephalogram

Answer 2

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brains surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

Question 3

CT (computed tomography) scan

Answer 3

Examines the brain by taking X-ray photographs that can reveal brain damage.

Question 4

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

Answer 4

Depicts brain activity by showing each brain areas consumption of its chemical fuel, the sugar glucose.

Question 5

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Answer 5

It is used to get a detailed picture of a brains soft tissue.

Question 6

Brainstem

Answer 6

Beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the Brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

Question 7

Medulla

Answer 7

The base of the Brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Question 8

Reticular formation

Answer 8

A nerve network in brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.

Question 9

Thalamus

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Cerebellum

Answer 10

At the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance.

Question 11

Pons

Answer 11

The part of your Brainstem in between the brain and spinal cord; it allows signals to travel to and from your brain.

Question 12

Limbic System

Answer 12

Doughnut-shaped neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

Question 13

Amygdala

Answer 13

Two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to fear and emotions.

Question 14

Hypothalamus

Answer 14

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

Question 15

Reward deficiency syndrome

Answer 15

A genetically disposed deficiency in the natural brain systems for pleasure and well-being that leads people to crave whatever provided that missing pleasure or relieves negative feelings.

Question 16

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 16

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.

Question 17

Glial Cells

Answer 17

Support the billions of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex, providing nutrients, insulating myelin, and guiding neural connections

Question 18

Frontal lobe

Answer 18

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgement

Question 19

Parietal lobe

Answer 19

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 20

Occipital lobe

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Temporal lobe

Answer 21

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; include the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.

Question 22

Motor cortex

Answer 22

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Question 23

Sensory cortex

Answer 23

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body tough and movement sensations.

Question 24

Association areas

Answer 24

Areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

Question 25

Aphasia

Answer 25

Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area or to wernick’s area.

Question 26

Plasticity

Answer 26

The brains ability to modify itself after some types of damage.

Question 27

Constraint-induced theory

Answer 27

It reprograms the brain by improving the dexterity of a brain-damaged person l, through restraining a fully functioning limb and forcing use of the uncooperative leg.

Question 28

Neurogenesis

Answer 28

The formation of new neurons.

Question 29

Lateralization

Answer 29

The hemispheric specialization of the brain

Question 30

Corpus callosum

Answer 30

The wide band of axon fibers connecting the two hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

Question 31

What is a split brain?

Answer 31

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brains two hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them. When this happens the phone cables responsible for transmitting messages from one hemisphere to the other are severed, so researchers can quiz each hemisphere separately.

Question 32

Right brain

Answer 32

Performing a perceptual task, like: brain waves, blood flow, and glucose composition. Also modulating our speech, and orchestrating our self defense.

Question 33

Left brain

Answer 33

Speaking, calculating, and making quick, literal interpretations.

Question 34

Consciousness

Answer 34

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Question 35

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 35

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked w cognition.

Question 36

Dual processing

Answer 36

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks.

Question 37

Visual perception track

Answer 37

It enables us to recognize things and to plan future actions.

Question 38

What is serial conscious processing?

Answer 38

It’s slower than parallel processing, but it is skilled at solving new problems, which recruits our focused attention

Question 39

What is meant by describing unconscious information processing as on multiple parallel tracks?

Answer 39

When we look at a bird flying, we are consciously aware of the result of our cognitive processing, but not of our sub processing of the birds color, form, movement, distance, and identity.