Unit 3B Vocab

Question 1

Lesion

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 2

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

Question 3

CT (computed tomography) scan

Answer 3

A series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined it by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body. Also called cat scan

Question 4

PET (positron emission tomography) scan

Answer 4

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

Question 5

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Answer 5

A technique that uses magnetic field and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue you. MRI scans show brain anatomy

Question 6

fMRI (functional MRI)

Answer 6

A technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. FMRI scans show brain function

Question 7

Brainstem

Answer 7

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

Question 8

Medulla

Answer 8

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Question 9

Reticular formation

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Thalamus

Answer 10

The brain sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and Medula

Question 11

Cerebellum

Answer 11

The little brain at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

Question 12

Limbic system

Answer 12

Doughnut shape neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

Question 13

Amygdala

Answer 13

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

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

Cerebral cortex

Answer 15

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the bodies ultimate control and information processing center

Question 16

Glial cells

Answer 16

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Question 17

Frontal lobes

Answer 17

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the four head; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

Question 18

Parietal lobes

Answer 18

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 19

Occipital lobed

Answer 19

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

Question 20

Temporal lobes

Answer 20

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite here

Question 21

Motor cortex

Answer 21

An area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements

Question 22

Sensory cortex

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Association Areas

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Aphasia

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Broca’s area

Answer 25

Controls language expression - an area , Usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

Question 26

Wernicke’s Area

Answer 26

Controls language reception – a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left Temporal lobe

Question 27

Plasticity

Answer 27

The brains ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Question 28

Neurogenesis

Answer 28

The formation of new neurons

Question 29

Corpus callosum

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Split brain

Answer 30

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brains to hemispheres by cutting the fibers connecting them

Question 31

Consciousness

Answer 31

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Question 32

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 32

The inter disciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition

Question 33

Dual processing

Answer 33

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