Unit 3.2: Brain Structures

Plasticity

brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

the phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body

Hemispheric Specialization

explored through split brain research, refers to the concept that eac hemisphere of the brain has specialized functions and abilities 

Cerebral cortex 

the outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher level cognitive functions including thinking, perceiving, and decision-making 

Reward Center

network of brain structures, primarily located in the limbic system that processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors associated with them

Corpus Callosum 

thick band of nerve fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication and information sharing between the two hemispheres

Broca’s area

the left frontal lobe responsible for speech production

Wernicke’s area

the left temporal lobe responsible for language comprehension

Lobes of the Brain

the four main regions or sections into which the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, is divided

Association areas

They're parts of the brain that take information from all over the place—like what we see, hear, smell, and touch—and put it together to help us understand the world around us.

Frontal lobes

Front of the brain - involved in higher-level cognitive functions, including decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression 

Prefrontal Cortex

frontal lobe - responsible for higher-level cognitive functions and executive functioning

Executive Functioning

a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize, strategize, focus attention, regulate emotions, and manage time effectively. 

Motor Cortex

frontal lobe - responsible for controlling voluntary movements of the body (walking, talking, grasping objects) 

Parietal Lobes

top of the brain - responsible for processing sensory information from the body such as touch, temperature, and spatial awareness 

Somatosensory Cortex

parietal lobe - responsible for processing sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints

Occipital Lobes

back of the brain - responsible for processing visual information (shapes, colors, motion)

Temporal Lobes

sides of the brain - involved in processing auditory information (language comprehension and memory formation) 

Brainstem

primitive part of the brain responsible for basic life-sustaining functions (breathing, heart rate, sleep-wake cycles)

Medulla

base of brainstem - automatic functions such as heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure

Reticular Activating System

network of neurons in brainstem - plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness 

Cerebellum

back of the brain - below cerebral hemisphere coordinating movement, balance, and posture

Thalamus

relay station in brain - processes and relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex 

Limbic System 

beneath the cerebral cortex - set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation 

Hypothalamus 

structure below thalamus - regulating various bodily functions (hunger, thirst, body temperature, sleep-wake cycle) homeostasis 

Pituitary Gland

base of the brain - central role in regulating hormone production and secretion throughout the body 

Hippocampus

curved structure located within the brain’s temporal lobes responsible for forming and consolidating new memories

Amygdala

temporal lobes - processing emotions: fear and aggression (fight/flight)