Brain Stuff- AP Psych

CT

combines multiple X-ray measurements with computer processing to create detailed, cross-sectional 3D images of bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues

MRI

a safe, painless imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your brain tissue without using radiation

PET

an imaging test that uses a small, safe amount of radioactive material—called a tracer—to measure cellular function, blood flow, and sugar metabolism inside the brain

fMRI

a safe, non-invasive brain scan that uses powerful magnets to track blood flow and measure brain activity in real time.

EEG

measures and records the electrical activity of the brain using small sensors attached to the scalp.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter involved in movement and memory

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, pleasure, and motivation

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter involved in fight-or-flight response and increases heartrate, blood pressure, and alertness

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, appetite, and sleep-wake cycle

GABA

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases likelihood of a neuron firing

Glutamate

Excitatory neurotransmitter that increasers likelihood of neuron firing

Medulla

part of the brainstem that controls breathing and heartbeat

Reticular Formation

part of the brainstem involved in arousal and sleep-wake cycle

Thalamus

part of the brain that is the sensory switchboard that processes incoming sensory information and directs it to the appropriate part of the brain for processing

Cerebellum

part of the brain involved in balance, coordination, and fine motor control

Amygdala

part of the brain involved in fear, aggression, and recognizing emotion on faces

Hippocampus

part of the brain that helps transfer information into long-term memory

Hypothalamus

part of the brain that monitors bodily systems, such as hunger and thirst, and oversees the endocrine system

Pituitary Gland

controlled by hypothalamus

Frontal Lobe

contains prefrontal cortex and motor cortex

Prefrontal Cortex

involved in personality and executive functions like problem-solving, morality, and decision making

Motor Cortex

enables voluntary movement

Broca’s Area

physical production of speech

Parietal Lobe

part of the brain that contains the somatosensory cortex

Somatosensory Cortex

processes physical sensations from the body

Temporal Lobe

auditory processing and long-term memory

Wernicke’s Area

comprehension of speech

Occipital Lobe

processing vison

Corpus Callosum

connects two hemispheres