neuro unit- ap psych

hippocampus

in temporal lobe; responsible for learning & memory

pons

middle of brain stem; controls unconscious systems (breathing & sleep patterns)

prefrontal cortex

front part of frontal lobe; its what makes us human (social skills & problem solving)

somatosensory cortex

in parietal lobe; processing of sensory/motor sensations and receives info from body (pain/touch/pressure/temp)

pineal gland (& melatonin)

receives info from environment (light/dark) & secretes melatonin for sleep

broca’s area

in frontal cortex; speech & word articulation (interacts with motor cortex)

cerebellum

back of brain/attached to brain stem; regulates motor movements & balance

olfactory bulb

in limbic system/connects to midbrain (hypothalamus specifically); odor detection & processing

amygdala

deep in temporal lobe (almond shaped); fight or flight (processes danger)

thalamus

in cerebral cortex; sends all information

motorcontrol cortex

in frontal lobe; planning/control/executing movement (like walking)

reticular formation

in brainstem; arousal & sleep to wake transition, automatic motor sensory

cingulate gyrus

in limbic system (above corpus callosum); emotion regulation & helps us understand consequences (how i react to my environment)

thyroid gland

neck area; releases hormones T3 & T4, regulates metabolism (what nutrients are processed & how)

primary auditory cortex

in temporal lobe; comprehends complex sounds (like language)

adrenal glands (epinephrine & norepinephrine

small gland on top of kidneys; regulates hormones (epinephrine helps neurons communicate & norepinephrine transmits nerve signals to nerve endings);; fight or flight

angulate gyrus

top part of occipital lobe (there’s left/right side, mostly right); comprehends written language/ perceives lines, curves, shapes

angulate gyrus

critical period of use it or lose it; start by age 5 or will be more difficult

gonads & sex hormones

gonads (ovaries/testes); estrogen/testosterone released (androgens come from men, like testosterone)

basal ganglia

group of cells at base of brain; coordinates central nervous system to peripheral system (coordinates limbs & extremities)

hypothalamus

under the thalamus, above pituitary gland; effects limbic & endocrine, basic motivational behaviors, intense emotions (takes info from thalamus & sends reactions to rest of neurons)

hypothalamus

controls pituitary gland (Fear Feeding Farenheit “Reproduction”)

medulla

lowest part of brain, base of skull; transmits signals between spinal cord & higher parts of brain (controls heartbeat & respiratory)

corpus callosum

connect two brain hemisphere; permits communication between right & left side

wernicke’s area

back of temporal lobe, speech and written language comprehension

pituitary (master) gland

base of brain; produce/release/regulate hormones

example of antagonist

botox & alcohol

reuptake inhibitor

blocks NT from being absorbed → heightens effect of NT

example of reuptake inhibitor

anti-anxiety/depression meds

agonist

mimics/copies NT

antagonist

blocks NT

example of agonist

opiates (fent, oxy, heroin)