AP PSYCH

The Brain study guide

what is a lesion

tissuse distraction, natrually or expirimenally caused distraction of the brain tissue

plasticity

the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections throughout life.

eeg (electroencephalogram)

a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small electrodes placed on the scalp.

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

measures the magnetic fields produced by neural activity in the brain, allowing for the mapping of brain function.

fMRI (functioning magnetic responsive imagery)

usues magnetic fields to reval blood flow and brain activity and shows blood function

leisin, placiticyty, MEG, and fMRI are all ways to…

ways we study the brain

how many lbs is the brain

3

how many hemispheres (halves) does the brain have

2

how many sections does the brain have

3

wjat is the contralateral hemisphere organization

The contralateral hemisphere organization refers to the phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain processes information and controls functions for the opposite side of the body. For example, the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa.

what is the brain system

this is the oldest part of the brain that controls basic life functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and arousal.

what is the thalamus

top of the brainsystemthat acts as a sensory switchboard for sensory information, transmitting signals to various parts of the brain for processing.

what is the reticular activity system

nerve network that controls arousal and regulates sleep-wake cycles, attentiveness, and filtering sensory information. (remember reticuAR ARrousol)

What are pons

Sleep, dreams and help coordinate movements cuts the connection between muscles and brain while sleeping (remember Ponzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

what is the medulla

Controls heartbeat and breathing (remember the 2 L’s in meduLLa stand for love and life. Love= heartbeat, life= breathing)

what is the lymbic system

associated with emotions such as fear, aggression, drivers for food and more. Donut shaped system of neutral structures at the border of the brain stem and cerebrum

what is the hippocampus

Responsible for learning and memory (remember hippoCAMPUS, you learn on campus)

what is the amygdala

2 Lima bean sized neural clusters they regular aggression and anger (remember amgrrrrrrrr)

what is the hypothalamus

lies below the thalamus and is involved in regulating bodily functions such as hunger, thirst, and temperature control. It plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis.

what is the pituitary gland

“masters gland” it releases hormones that travel around the body and helps with body growth and puberty.

what is the cerebral cortex

the outside layer of the brain divided into 4 different parts it is also the information processing center

what else does the cerebral cortex do

it gives you the ability to make decisions and judgements and allows you to make association (ex: its raining outside i’m going to get an umbrella so I don’t get wet)

what are the 4 parts of the cerebral cortex

frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, and parietal lobe.

what does the frontal lobe do

its in the front part of your head and allows you to make movement and judgments

what is the temporal lobe

on the side of your head and is in control of hearing and language

what is the occipital lobe

lower back of head and it controls vision and visual processing.

what is the parietal lobe

the upper back of the head, in control of your 4 senses like touch, temperature, pain, and proprioception.

what is substance p

passes pain messages from neuron to neuron

what is the cerebellim (little brain)

attatched to the brain stem controls voluntary movment, balance and implicts memory and motor skills.