Brain and Behaviour: Nervous System, Neuroimaging, and Plasticity

Flashcards covering the VCE Psychology Unit 1, Area of Study 2 material on brain anatomy, nervous system divisions, neuroimaging techniques, and neuroplasticity.

Nervous System

The system responsible for all aspects of human behaviour, composed of billions of neurons that communicate via electrochemical signals to receive, process, and respond to information.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consisting of the brain and spinal cord, it is responsible for virtually everything we think, feel, and do, while transmitting and receiving messages to and from the Peripheral Nervous System.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The entire network of nerves located outside the Central Nervous System that transmits information to and from the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

A subdivision of the PNS that carries sensory information to the CNS and motor information from the CNS to skeletal muscles to control voluntary movements.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A self-regulating subdivision of the PNS that connects the CNS to internal organs and glands, managing involuntary functions like heartbeat and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the Autonomic Nervous System that activates the fight-flight-freeze response, preparing the body for action during stressful or threatening situations.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the Autonomic Nervous System that maintains homeostasis and restores the body to a state of calm after a threat has passed.

Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

A network of $400$ – $600$ million neurons within the walls of the gastrointestinal tract that regulates digestion and communicates bi-directionally with the brain.

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit sensory information from receptor sites (like skin or joints) towards the Central Nervous System.

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit motor information from the Central Nervous System to skeletal muscles to initiate voluntary actions.

Interneurons

Neurons located only within the CNS that allow communication between sensory and motor neurons.

Computerised Tomography (CT)

A structural neuroimaging technique using x-ray equipment to scan the brain at different angles, providing horizontal cross-sections.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A structural neuroimaging technique using magnetic fields to vibrate atoms in neurons, generating highly detailed images of horizontal or vertical brain slices.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

A functional neuroimaging technique that uses radioactive glucose injected into the bloodstream to show brain activity based on energy consumption.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A neuroimaging technique that detects brain activity by measuring oxygen consumption in specific areas without the use of radiation.

Forebrain

The largest region of the brain, responsible for voluntary motor function, complex cognitive activities, and sensory processing.

Midbrain

A brain region involved in motor movement, audio-visual processing, and arousal, containing the substantia nigra and reticular formation.

Hindbrain

The region at the base of the brain including the pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum, which coordinates basic survival and autonomic functions.

Cerebral Cortex

The $2$ – $3$ mm thick outer layer of the cerebrum involved in cognition, perception, language, and problem-solving.

Corpus Callosum

The structure that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, allowing them to communicate and share information.

Thalamus

A relay centre for sensory information that filters data and regulates attention.

Hypothalamus

A structure located under the thalamus that regulates internal processes including hormones, hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

Cerebellum

A hindbrain structure responsible for storing procedural memories and coordinating voluntary movement, balance, and posture.

Frontal Lobe

The largest cortical lobe, responsible for sophisticated mental abilities, personality, and voluntary movements.

Broca’s Area

A region located in the left frontal lobe that plays a significant role in the production of clear, fluent, and coherent speech.

Parietal Lobe

The lobe responsible for receiving and processing bodily information such as touch, temperature, and spatial position.

Occipital Lobe

The lobe located at the rear of the brain primarily responsible for receiving and processing visual information.

Temporal Lobe

The lobe responsible for auditory processing, memory, facial recognition, and emotional responses.

Wernicke’s Area

A region in the left temporal lobe involved in the comprehension of speech and interpreting the meaning of sounds.

Homunculus

A representation of the human body where proportions are drawn relative to the amount of motor or somatosensory cortex dedicated to each part.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Refers to all types of brain damage occurring after birth, classified as either traumatic (external force) or non-traumatic (internal factors).

Neuroplasticity

The capacity of the brain to change its structure or function in response to experience, learning, or brain trauma.

Synaptogenesis

The formation of new synapses between neurons, which is most prominent during early childhood development.

Synaptic Pruning

The elimination of underused synaptic connections to enhance brain efficiency.

Rerouting

A form of adaptive plasticity where healthy neurons create alternative neural pathways to bypass damaged ones.

Sprouting

A form of adaptive plasticity where existing neurons grow new axon terminals or dendrites to form new connections.