Unit 1, Area of Study 2: Brain, Mental Processes, and Behaviour

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the human nervous system, brain regions, neuroimaging, cognitive lobes, brain injuries, and neuroplasticity based on the Unit 1 Area of Study 2 transcript.

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)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord; it transmits and receives messages to and from the PNS and is responsible for virtually everything we think, feel, and do.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The entire network of nerves located outside the CNS that carries messages to and from the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

A subdivision of the PNS that transmits sensory information (afferent) to the CNS and carries motor information (efferent) from the CNS to skeletal muscles for voluntary movement.

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

A branch of the ANS that activates the fight-flight-freeze response, preparing the body for action during stressful or threatening situations.

Parasympathetic nervous system

A branch of the ANS that maintains the internal body environment in a steady state (homeostasis) and restores the body to calm after action.

Enteric nervous system (ENS)

A network of $400-600$ million neurons within the walls of the gastrointestinal tract (the gut) that regulates digestion.

Sensory neurons (afferent)

Neurons that transmit sensory information from receptor sites on the sense organs towards the CNS.

Motor neurons (efferent)

Neurons that transmit motor information from the CNS to the skeletal muscles, causing them to contract or relax.

Interneurons

Neurons located only in the CNS (brain and spinal cord) that allow communication between afferent and efferent neurons.

Computerised Tomography (CT)

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

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A structural neuroimaging technique using harmless magnetic fields to vibrate atoms in neurons and generate a detailed image of the brain.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

A functional neuroimaging technique producing colour images of brain activity by tracking the consumption of injected radioactive glucose.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A neuroimaging technique that detects brain activity by measuring oxygen consumption, providing detailed information on both structure and function.

Hindbrain

An area at the base of the brain consisting of the pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum; it coordinates basic survival functions like breathing and sleep.

Midbrain

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

Forebrain

The largest brain region responsible for voluntary motor functions, complex cognitive activities, and sensory processing; includes the cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum, approximately $2-3\,mm$ thick, which serves as the ultimate control and information processing centre for cognition and perception.

Thalamus

The relay centre for sensory information in the forebrain that filters information and manages attention.

Hypothalamus

The forebrain structure that regulates internal processes including hormones, hunger, thirst, and body temperature to maintain homeostasis.

Cerebellum

A hindbrain structure that stores procedural memories and coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and posture.

Substantia Nigra

A midbrain area that produces dopamine; its nerve cell damage is linked to the motor control issues of Parkinson’s Disease.

Reticular formation

A midbrain area responsible for arousal, consciousness, and motor control.

Corpus callosum

The bridge of nerve fibres that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, allowing them to communicate.

Frontal lobe

The largest cortical lobe, responsible for sophisticated mental abilities (reasoning, planning), personality, and voluntary movement.

Broca’s area

Located in the left frontal lobe; it coordinates the muscles of the jaw and mouth to produce coherent, fluent speech.

Parietal lobe

The lobe that receives and processes bodily information like touch, temperature, and spatial position.

Primary visual cortex (PVC)

Located in the occipital lobe; it receives and processes visual information from the contralateral visual fields.

Temporal lobe

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

Wernicke’s area

Located in the left temporal lobe; it is involved in understanding speech and making sense of sentence structure.

Acquired brain injury (ABI)

Any type of brain damage occurring after birth, categorized as either traumatic (external force) or non-traumatic (internal factors like stroke).

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the brain to change its structure and function in response to experience and learning throughout the lifespan.

Developmental plasticity

Changes in neural connections occurring during maturation from infancy through adolescence, including synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning.

Adaptive plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganise its structure by sprouting or rerouting to compensate for lost functionality due to injury or in response to new learning.

Synaptogenesis

The formation of new synapses, or points of contact, between neurons.

Synaptic pruning

The elimination of underused or unnecessary synaptic connections to refine neural circuits.

Myelination

The development of a white fatty insulation around the axon that increases the speed of electrical impulses.

Sprouting

The ability of a neuron to develop new branches on its dendrites to enable new connections.

Rerouting

The ability of a neuron to form new connections with another healthy neuron when original connections are damaged.