The brain

Neurons

The basic units of the brain and nervous system, about 100 billion in the brain.

Connections per Neuron

Each neuron can make up to 1000 connections, totaling approximately 100 trillion connections in the brain.

Vital Organ

The brain is the vital organ and command center of the body, responsible for all mental processes.

Grey Matter

The brain's outer covering where information is stored, including the cerebral cortex.

White Matter

Neural pathways that connect different parts of the grey matter and other inner structures of the brain.

Hindbrain

The part of the brain located at the rear base of the skull, controlling basic biological functions.

Pons

Located above the medulla, regulates sleep, arousal, and respiration; relays information between the cerebellum and cerebrum.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls involuntary actions such as breathing and heart rate, as well as reflexes like swallowing and coughing.

Cerebellum

Regulates and coordinates movement, allowing accurate and fluid actions, and is involved in storing long-term procedural memories.

Midbrain

Connects the hindbrain and forebrain, controlling arousal levels, attention, and consciousness.

Thalamus

Acts as the body’s communication center, processing incoming sensory information.

Hypothalamus

Regulates basic survival actions such as sleep, body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the forebrain responsible for higher brain functions like perception, conscious thought, and memory.

Corpus Callosum

A set of neural fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Left Hemisphere

Dominates in tasks related to language processing and control of the body's right side.

Right Hemisphere

Dominates in tasks related to spatial and creative processes, controlling the body's left side.

Broca's Area

Located in the left frontal lobe, responsible for the production of speech.

Wernicke's Area

Located in the left temporal lobe, responsible for language comprehension and the production of meaningful speech.

Primary Motor Cortex

A strip in the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements of the body.

Primary Sensory Cortex

A strip in the parietal lobe that registers and processes sensory information.

Reflex Arc

An automatic response process that occurs without conscious thought, protecting us from danger.

Stimulus

Any trigger that causes a reaction, such as touching a hot stove.

Sensory Neurons

Detect stimuli and send messages to the spinal cord.

Interneuron

Processes information in the spinal cord and sends instructions.

Motor Neuron

Carries commands from the spinal cord to the muscles to effect a response.

Effector (Muscle)

The final component of a reflex arc that responds to stimuli by moving.

Cerebral Hemispheres

The two halves of the brain that account for two-thirds of the brain's total mass.

Hemispheric Specialization

The concept that each hemisphere of the brain has greater control over certain functions.

Contralateral Control

The principle that the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa.

Phineas Gage

A historical case study illustrating the link between brain injury and personality change.

Broca's Aphasia

Impairment in the ability to produce articulate speech due to damage in Broca's area.

Wernicke's Aphasia

Inability to understand language and produce meaningful speech caused by damage in Wernicke's area.

Prefrontal Cortex

Part of the frontal lobe that coordinates executive functions and regulates emotions.

Primary Auditory Cortex

Area in both temporal lobes that processes auditory information.

Primary Visual Cortex

Area in the occipital lobe that processes visual information.

Reticular Formation

Network in the midbrain that screens information and regulates alertness.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Controls levels of alertness and arousal in response to stimuli.

Localisation of Functions

The idea that specific brain areas are responsible for particular functions, supported by various studies.

Historical Cases

Studies such as those of Phineas Gage and Broca that provide insights into brain localisation.

Cerebellar Function

Involves coordination of voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning.

Cerebral Cortex Layers

Consist of multiple layers that help process higher cognitive functions.

Long-Term Procedural Memory

Memories related to the performance of tasks that involve motor skills.

Olfactory Bulb

Processes sensory information related to the sense of smell.

Psycho-neurology

A field of psychology that studies the interplay of psychological processes and brain functions.

Reflex Speed

Reflexes are faster because they bypass the brain in the immediate response.