Psychology UNIT 1

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe of the brain that plays a crucial role in speech production and language comprehension.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and coordinating information.

Cerebellum

A region located at the back of the brain that controls motor coordination, balance, and posture.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum responsible for higher cognitive functions such as perception, memory, language, and consciousness.

Cerebral Hemispheres

The two halves of the cerebrum, divided into left and right hemispheres, that control opposite sides of the body and have specialized functions.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain consisting of the cerebral hemispheres responsible for higher-level thinking, sensory processing, and voluntary muscle movements.

Forebrain

The anterior part of the brain that includes the cerebral hemispheres, thalamus, and hypothalamus, involved in complex cognitive processes and regulation of body functions.

Frontal Lobe

The frontmost region of each cerebral hemisphere involved in higher cognitive functions, decision-making, planning, and voluntary muscle control.

Hindbrain

The posterior part of the brain consisting of the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata, responsible for coordinating basic bodily functions and regulating vital processes.

Hemispheric Specialisation

The division of functions between the two cerebral hemispheres, where each hemisphere specializes in certain cognitive processes and controls the opposite side of the body.

Hypothalamus

A small region at the base of the brain that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.

Limbic System

A group of brain structures including the hippocampus, amygdala, and parts of the hypothalamus, involved in emotions, memory, motivation, and the regulation of basic drives.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system that processes emotions, specifically fear and aggression. It also plays a role in the formation of long-term memories.

Occipital

The region located at the back of the cerebral cortex that primarily processes visual information and plays a crucial role in vision and visual perception.

Medulla Oblongata

The lowermost part of the brainstem responsible for controlling vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and reflex actions like coughing and swallowing.

Midbrain

The middle part of the brainstem that relays sensory and motor information, plays a role in visual and auditory processing, and regulates arousal and attention.

Parietal Lobe

The region located near the top and back of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing sensory information related to touch, temperature, pain, and spatial awareness.

Pons

A structure located in the brainstem that acts as a bridge connecting the cerebellum to the rest of the brain. It plays a role in relaying information between different parts of the brain and is involved in functions such as sleep, respiration, and facial movement.

Reticular Formation

A network of interconnected nuclei scattered throughout the brainstem that regulates arousal, attention, and sleep-wake cycles. It filters sensory information and helps maintain an optimal level of alertness.

Substantia Nigra

A small structure located in the midbrain that plays a critical role in movement control. It produces the neurotransmitter dopamine and is involved in motor coordination and the development of Parkinson's disease.

Temporal Lobe

The region on the sides of the cerebral cortex, situated below the lateral fissure. It is responsible for processing auditory information, language comprehension, memory, and the interpretation of emotions and visual stimuli.

Thalamus

A structure located deep within the brain that serves as a relay station for sensory information. It receives sensory signals from various sensory systems, filters and directs them to the appropriate regions of the cerebral cortex for further processing.

Wernicke’s Area

A region in the left hemisphere of the brain, typically located in the temporal lobe, that is involved in language comprehension and the formulation of coherent speech.

hippocampus

The hippocampus is a small, curved formation in the brain that plays an important role in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory, as well as in spatial navigation.