AP Psychology: Brain Structures, Neurotransmitters, and Psychoactive Drugs

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering brain parts and functions, major neurotransmitters and malfunctions, and psychoactive drug classifications, pleasurable effects, and negative aftereffects.

Where is the temporal lobe located in the brain?

It is a portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears.

What visual recognition ability is held within the temporal lobe?

The ability to recognize faces.

What sensory processing function is the temporal lobe primarily responsible for?

Auditory processing.

From which ear does each temporal lobe receive auditory information?

It receives information from the opposite ear.

Which language area is located within the temporal lobe?

Wernicke's Area.

Where is the occipital lobe located in the cerebral cortex?

It is the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head.

How is the occipital lobe involved in reading?

It is responsible for being able to see written words as visual stimulation.

What type of receptors provide input to the occipital lobe?

Visual receptors.

What is the primary function of the thalamus?

It serves as the brain's central processing center, filtering and relaying sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

Which sensory input bypasses the thalamus rather than being processed by it?

Smell.

What are the primary functions of the pituitary gland?

It controls the endocrine system and secretes the hormone for body growth.

What is the structure and role of the corpus callosum?

It is a bundle of axons connecting the two hemispheres of the brain that aids in communication between them.

Why is the corpus callosum sometimes surgically severed?

It is cut in patients with severe epilepsy to prevent the epilepsy from damaging both hemispheres of the brain.

What is the cerebellum commonly known as, and where is it located?

It is known as "the little brain" and is located at the rear of the brainstem.

What motor functions are governed by the cerebellum?

It is responsible for balance, fine motor skills, and initiating smooth voluntary movement, eye movement, and posture.

What type of learning and memory does the cerebellum enable?

Nonverbal learning and memory.

What sensory and coordination roles are performed by the cerebellum?

Processing sensory input and coordinating voluntary movement.

What "four Fs" are regulated by the hypothalamus?

Feeding, fighting, fleeing, and flirting.

How does the hypothalamus exert control over the endocrine system?

By controlling the pituitary gland.

Which bodily maintenance functions are governed by the hypothalamus?

Eating, drinking, sex, and internal body temperature.

Where is the hypothalamus anatomically positioned relative to the thalamus?

It is a neural structure lying below the thalamus.

Which emotional and motivational systems are linked to the hypothalamus?

Emotion and reward.

Where is the prefrontal cortex located?

In the forward part of the frontal lobe.

What higher cognitive functions are controlled by the prefrontal cortex?

Higher order thinking, cognitive processing, judgment, planning, and processing new memories.

Where is the motor cortex located?

At the rear of the frontal lobes.

What is the function of the motor cortex?

It controls voluntary movements and sends outgoing messages directing movement to muscles.

What states of consciousness are controlled by the pons?

Sleeping and dreaming.

Where is the pons located on the brainstem?

On the brainstem just before the spinal cord enters the brain.

To which brain system does the amygdala belong?

The limbic system.

Which emotions are specifically controlled by the amygdala?

Fear, aggression, and rage.

What is the consequence of damage to the amygdala?

Limited emotional responses.

Where are the frontal lobes located?

In the portion of the cerebral cortex just behind the forehead.

What behavioral controls and mental faculties are managed by the frontal lobes?

Impulse control, speaking, muscle movement, reasoning, planning, and judgment.

What evolutionary feature distinguishes humans from other animals regarding the brain?

Differences in the frontal lobes.

Under what musical conditions is the frontal lobe activated?

When listening or humming a tune.

Which language area is located within the frontal lobe?

Broca's area.

What are association areas of the cerebral cortex?

Areas of the cerebral cortex that integrate sensory input with stored memory.

In which higher mental functions are association areas involved?

Learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

What is the brainstem and what are its primary survival responsibilities?

The oldest and central core of the brain, responsible for automatic survival functions.

How does the brainstem direct neural messaging across the brain?

It directs messages to the opposite side of the brain.

Where is the parietal lobe located?

A portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top, rear of the head.

What sensations are received as sensory input by the parietal lobe?

Touch, pain, temperature, and body position.

Which cortex is held within the parietal lobe?

The somatosensory cortex.

Where is the medulla located?

On the brainstem just before the spinal cord enters the brain.

What vital autonomic functions are controlled by the medulla?

Heartbeat and breathing.

Which specific reflexes are controlled by the medulla?

Sneezing, coughing, and swallowing.

What functions does the reticular formation control?

Sleep and levels of arousal or attention.

What filtering role does the reticular formation carry out?

Filtering incoming information and sending along relevant information to the thalamus.

What tissue constitutes the cerebrum and what is it called?

Axons of neurons and glial cells, which is called white matter.

What proportion of the brain's weight is made up by the cerebrum?

85% of the brain's weight.

Into what two divisions is the cerebrum separated?

Two hemispheres or halves called the cerebral hemispheres.

What tissue constitutes the outer layer of the cerebral cortex?

The cell bodies of neurons, called gray matter.

What is the primary role of the cerebral cortex?

It covers the cerebrum and acts as the ultimate control and information-processing center.

Where is the limbic system located, and what is it associated with?

Located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.

Which three structures are included in the limbic system?

The amygdala, the hippocampus, and the hypothalamus.

What is the function of the hippocampus?

Helps process for storage explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events.

What are the two main functions of the spinal cord?

It serves as a pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from the brain, and it controls simple reflexes.

Where is the somatosensory cortex located?

At the front of the parietal lobes.

What sensations are processed and regulated by the somatosensory cortex?

Body touch and movement sensations.

Where is the visual cortex located, and what does it receive?

Located in the occipital lobes at the rear of the brain; receives input from the eyes.

Where is the auditory cortex located, and what does it receive?

Located in the temporal areas above the ears; receives information from your ears.

What is the pineal gland?

The endocrine gland that is the source of melatonin in vertebrates.

Where is the suprachiasmatic nucleus located?

In the hypothalamus.

What is the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and how is it activated?

It is the central pacemaker of the body's circadian rhythm and is activated by light stimulation via the retina.

In which cerebral hemisphere and lobe is Wernicke's Area usually located?

Usually in the left temporal lobe.

What is the primary function of Wernicke's Area?

Speech comprehension/reception and expression.

In which cerebral hemisphere and lobe is Broca's Area usually located?

In the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere.

What is the primary function of Broca's Area?

Speech production/language expression.

What medical condition can result from damage to Broca's Area or Wernicke's Area?

Aphasia (a problem with processing or articulating speech).

What functions are enabled by the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine (Ach)?

Muscle action, learning, and memory.

What disease is associated with the deterioration of Acetylcholine (Ach)-producing neurons?

Alzheimer's disease.

What bodily and mental functions are influenced by Dopamine?

Movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

An oversupply of Dopamine is linked to which psychological disorder?

Schizophrenia.

An undersupply of Dopamine is linked to what physical symptoms and disease?

Tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson's disease.

What biological processes and psychological states are affected by Serotonin?

Mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

An undersupply of Serotonin is linked to which disorder?

Depression.

How do some antidepressant drugs affect Serotonin in the brain?

They raise Serotonin levels.

What states does Norepinephrine help control?

Alertness and arousal.

What is a consequence of an undersupply of Norepinephrine?

It can depress mood.

How is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) functionally categorized?

As a major inhibitory neurotransmitter.

An undersupply of GABA is linked to which symptoms?

Seizures, tremors, and insomnia.

How is Glutamate functionally categorized?

As a major excitatory neurotransmitter.

In which cognitive function is Glutamate involved?

Memory.

What can an oversupply of Glutamate produce in the brain?

It can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures.

Why do some people avoid Glutamate in food?

Because an oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures.

Which neurotransmitter's deficit is specifically linked to Alzheimer's disease?

Acetylcholine (Ach).

Which neurotransmitter's excess is linked to schizophrenia and deficit to Parkinson's disease?

Dopamine.

Which two neurotransmitters listed in Chapter 3 can depress mood when undersupplied?

Serotonin and Norepinephrine.

Which neurotransmitter is identified as the brain's major inhibitory neurotransmitter?

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).

Which neurotransmitter is identified as the brain's major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory?

Glutamate.

What drug type is Alcohol classified as in Table 18.2?

Depressant.

What pleasurable effects are produced by Alcohol?

Initial high followed by relaxation and disinhibition.

What negative aftereffects are associated with Alcohol?

Depression, memory loss, oxygen damage, impaired reactions.

What drug type is Heroin classified as?

Depressant.

What pleasurable effects are produced by Heroin?

Flush of euphoria, relief from pain.

What negative aftereffects are produced by Heroin?

Depressed physiology, agonizing withdrawal.

What drug type is Caffeine classified as?

Stimulant.

What pleasurable effects are produced by Caffeine?

Increased alertness and wakefulness.

What negative aftereffects are associated with Caffeine in high doses?

Anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia in high doses, uncomfortable withdrawal.

What drug type is Methamphetamine classified as?

Stimulant.