CH 2 Reading Exam

Cognitive Neuroscience

A field that emphasizes understanding the neural underpinnings of cognition and links cognitive processes to brain structures and mechanisms.

Glial Cells

Cells that provide functional and structural support for neurons; they are not dispensable as neurons rely on them for proper functioning.

Dendrites

The part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons.

Synapse

The space that separates neurons, where neurotransmitters are released and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.

Neuronal Plasticity

The ability of neurons to change in size and shape in response to injury, development, and learning.

Axon

The part of the neuron that sends information to other neurons by generating an action potential.

Brain Hemispheres

Although structurally symmetrical, the left and right hemispheres of the brain differ in some functions, such as language processing.

Occipital Lobe

The lobe of the brain that receives visual information from the retina.

Frontal Lobe

The lobe most linked with higher functions such as thinking, planning, and decision-making.

Neuropsychologist

A specialist who evaluates patients with language function loss due to brain injuries, such as strokes.

Control Condition

A necessary comparison in experiments linking brain activity to cognitive functions to ensure observed neural activity is related to the cognitive function being tested.

Single-Cell Recordings

A technique with high resolution but is highly invasive, making it unsuitable for human research.

Brain Stimulation Methods

Techniques like TMS and tDCS that help establish cause and effect in cognitive neuroscience research by manipulating brain activity.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An indispensable tool for visualizing the brain's interior, teaching brain anatomy, and making medical diagnoses.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors influence gene expression and operation.