Ap Psych Brain

"I think the brain is important" -Albert Einstein

Association areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide sense and meaning to information registered in the cortex

Central nervous system

consists of the brain and spinal cord

Lesion

tissue destruction. Naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Electroencephalogram

An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

PET scan

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

MRI

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain

fMRI

a form of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain that registers blood flow to functioning areas of the brain

MEG

measures the magnetic fields generated by electric currents in the brain.

Brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

Medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Pons

A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain. Sleep & Arousal

reticular formation

a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

Thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Cerebellum

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

Limbic system

A doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives such as those for food and sex. Includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.

Hippocampus

a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage

Amygdala

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion

Cerebral cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information-processing center.

frontal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement

Phineas Gage

railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior; case played a role in the development of the understanding of the localization of brain function

Parietal lobe

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information

Temporal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language.

Motor cortex

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Sensory cortex

area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).

Broca's area

controls language expression - an area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.

Wernicke's area

a brain area involved in language comprehension; usually in the left temporal lobe

Plasticity

the brain's ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Corpus callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Sperry and Gazzaniga

Investigated functional differences between left and right cerebral hemispheres using "split-brain" studies

Left hemisphere

controls the right side of the body; analytical, language, math

Right hemisphere

controls the left side of the body; creative, intuitive, spacial

Lateralization

concept that each hemisphere of the brain is associated with specialized functions

Reward Center

The brain region responsible for experiencing pleasure and reinforcing behaviors. It releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation.

Reward deficiency syndrome

Reduced response to rewards, higher addiction risk, impulsive behavior. Deficiency in brain's reward circuitry affects dopamine release and reception. Symptoms: craving stimulation, lack of motivation, difficulty experiencing pleasure.