Regions of the brain
cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum) diencephalon brain stem cerebellum
Four lobes of the brain
frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal
frontal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgement
parietal lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex whose functions include processing information about touch.
occipital lobe
A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information
temporal lobe
An area on each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex near the temples that is the primary receiving area for auditory information
central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
somatic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. sends messages to the central nervous system.
autonomic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart). Its sympathetic division arouses; its parasympathetic division calms.
sympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations
parasympathetic nervous system
the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy
Midbrain
A small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory information and relays it upward.
brain stem function
controls automatic behaviors necessary for survival
Pons
A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
Medulla
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing
Cerebellum
A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.
Thalamus
the brain's sensory control center, 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
Hypothalamus
A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
limbic system
neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives
Amygdala
A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.
Hippocampus
A neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage.
split-brain surgery
procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce the spread of epileptic seizures
Neuroplasticity
the ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience or trauma
Agonists
chemical substances that mimic or enhance the effects of a neurotransmitter on the receptor sites of the next cell, increasing or decreasing the activity of that cell
glands of the endocrine system
pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons
SSRI function
class of drugs used to relieve anxiety by limiting reuptake of a neurotransmitter
Reuptake
a neurotransmitter's reabsorption by the sending neuron
EEG scan
Brain scan that records electrical activity in the brain.
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
components of a neuron
cell body, dendrite, axon, myelin sheath, glial cells, synapse
twin studies
a common method of investigating whether nature or nurture affects behavior
right hemisphere
This half of the brain specializes in perception of physical environment, art, nonverbal communication, music & spiritual aspects. It receives information from and controls the opposite side of the body.
left hemisphere
controls the right side of the body; analytical, language, math
absolute refractory period
The minimum length of time after an action potential during which another action potential cannot begin.
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
Genotype
genetic makeup of an organism
Phenotype
An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.
synaptic pruning
a process whereby the synaptic connections in the brain that are used are preserved, and those that are not used are lost
dendritic pruning
refers to the process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.
broca's area
the motor speech center in the left hemisphere of the brain in most people. Language production
wernicke's area
the auditory word center; located in the posterior part of the superior temporal convolution in most people. Language comprehension
dendrite
short fiber that conducts toward the cell body of the neuron. this part of the neuron recieves messages from other neurons
prefrontal cortex
responsible for decision making, executive planning, and functioning
afferent nerves
nerves that carry signals toward the central nervous system from the periphery.
efferent nerves
carries nerve impulses away from the central nervous system toward the periphery.
dopamine
a monoamine neurotransmitter found in the brain and essential for the normal functioning of the central nervous system. lack of dopamine produces parkinson's
gonads
make sure humans can have children
acetylcholine
a neurotransmitter that is a derivative of choline; released at the ends of nerve fibers in the somatic and parasympathetic nervous systems
thyroid gland
located near the base of the neck. controls body's metabolism
lutemite
gets the body excited. too much of it can give migraines
serotonin
controls mood and is responsible for happiness
endorphins
body releases this hormone when it feels pain or stress
excitatory
neurotransmitters that make the next cell more likely to fire are called
inhibitory
neurotransmitters that make the next cell less likely to fire are called