AP Psych Unit 3: Biological Bases of Behavior: 3B—The Brain
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lesion
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tissue destruction; a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue
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electroencephalogram (EEG)
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an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface; these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
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CT (computed tomography) scan/CAT scan
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a series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body
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PET (positron emission tomography) scan
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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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MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
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a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue; show brain anatomy
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fMRI (functional MRI)
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a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans; show brain function
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brainstem
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the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; responsible for automatic survival functions; a crossover point, where most nerves to and from each side of the brain connect with the body's opposite side
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medulla
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the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
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reticular formation
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a nerve network in the brainstem, between your ears, that plays an important role in controlling arousal
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thalamus
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the brain's 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 medulla
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cerebellum
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the \"little brain\" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
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cerebral hemispheres
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the two halves of the brain
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limbic system
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doughnut-shaped neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
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amygdala
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two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion; influence aggression and fear
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hypothalamus
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a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system bio that pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward
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reward deficiency syndrome
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a genetically disposed deficiency in the natural brain systems for pleasure and well-being that leads people to crave whatever provides that missing pleasure or relieves negative feelings; some researchers believe that addictive disorders (such as alcohol dependence, drug abuse and binge eating) may stem from this
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cerebrum
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the two large hemispheres that contribute 85% of the brain's weight
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cerebral cortex
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the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center
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glial cells
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cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
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lobes
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geographic subdivisions separated by prominent fissures
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fissures
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folds
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frontal lobes
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portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments
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parietal lobes
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portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position
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occipital lobes
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portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields
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temporal lobes
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portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear
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motor cortex
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an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements
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prosthetics
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artificial body part replacements
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sensory cortex
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area at the front of the parietal loves that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations
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association areas
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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
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Phineas Gage
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experienced massive frontal lobe damage; wound was able to heal; mental abilities and memories were intact but his personality was not; his moral compass had disconnected from his behavior; became less inhibited and his moral judgments seemed unrestrained by normal emotions
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aphasia
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impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding)
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Broca's area
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controls language expression—an area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech; controls speech muscles via the motor cortex
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Wernicke's area
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controls language reception—a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe; interprets auditory code
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angular gyrus
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brain area involved in language processing; transforms visual representations into an auditory code
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hippocampus
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brain structure linked to memory
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plasticity
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the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
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constraint-induced therapy
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aims to rewire brains by restraining a fully functioning limb and forcing use of the \"bad hand\" or the uncooperative leg; gradually, the therapy reprograms the brain, improving the dexterity of a brain-damaged child or even an adult stroke victim
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neurogenesis
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the formation of new neurons
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corpus callosum
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the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
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split brain
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a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain's two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them
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consciousness
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our awareness of ourselves and our environment
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cognitive neuroscience
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the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)
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dual processing
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the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks
