Biology of the Mind - PSYC 102 - Chapter 2 Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key brain regions, structures, their functions, responses to brain damage, and brain hemispheres, based on PSYC 102 - Chapter 2 lecture notes.

Hindbrain

The region of the brain made up of the brainstem structures.

Midbrain

The region of the brain that connects the hindbrain to the forebrain.

Forebrain

The region of the brain that includes the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus.

Brainstem

Regulates basic body functions such as breathing, the pumping of the heart, and blood pressure.

Medulla

A part of the hindbrain, it looks like a slight swell in the spinal cord and controls heartbeat and breathing.

Thalamus

A part of the forebrain that sits on top of the brainstem, receiving sensory information (except smell) and directing it to the brain's cortex, also transmitting information to the cerebellum and medulla.

Cerebellum

Known as the 'little brain' of the hindbrain, it processes sensory input, coordinates movement output and balance, and enables nonverbal learning and memory, possessing more than half of the brain's neurons.

Reticular Formation

A nerve network located within the brainstem that extends from the spinal cord through the thalamus, filtering stimuli, relaying information, allowing multitasking, and controlling sleep/wake arousal.

Limbic System

Located largely in the forebrain, it is associated with our emotions and drives, made up of the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus.

Amygdala

Two neural clusters that enable aggression and fear, resembling almonds in shape.

Hypothalamus

Lies below the thalamus, directing maintenance functions such as eating/drinking and body temperature, monitoring body state, and processing reward motivators like thirst and hunger, essential for survival behaviors.

Hippocampus

A significant memory center and curved brain structure that processes explicit (conscious) memories, involving facts and events, and consolidates/transfers information to other brain areas.

Cerebral Cortex

The fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the forebrain's cerebral hemispheres, largely responsible for the body's motor functions.

Motor Cortex

A part of the cerebral cortex located at the rear of the frontal lobes, responsible for motor functions like running and walking.

Cognitive Neural Prosthetics

Brain-machine interfaces that allow patients with cerebral cortex ill-functioning to mentally control devices like televisions, computer screens, video games, and robotic arms using their thoughts.

Visual Cortex

Located in the occipital lobes toward the rear of the brain, it receives input from the eyes.

Auditory Cortex

Located in the temporal lobes, it receives input from the ears and their structures.

Somatosensory Cortex

Located at the front of the parietal lobes, it allows the body to process body touch and sensations of movement.

Association Areas

Parts of the cerebral cortex not involved in primary motor or sensory functions, but involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, speaking, and thinking, found in all four lobes.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's adaptation to new situations, especially its ability to reorganize itself to compensate for damage.

Stem Cells

A kind of self-renewing cell that can move and function as other cell types throughout the body, maintaining cell populations, replacing dead/dying cells, and highlighted in neural healing research.

Left Hemisphere

The brain hemisphere known for controlling the right side of the body, language processing, and general reasoning ability.

Right Hemisphere

The brain hemisphere known for controlling the left side of the body, spatial awareness, and emotional processing.

Corpus Callosum

A large band of axon/neural fibers that connect the brain's left and right hemispheres and carry messages between the two.

Split Brain

The condition that results from the severing of the corpus callosum, often done to eliminate life-threatening seizures, allowing people to function as the remaining hemisphere compensates.