Brain Structures and Functions

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key brain structures and their functions.

Thalamus

Sensory switchboard that processes every sense other than smell.

Medulla

Controls heartbeat and breathing.

Brainstem

The oldest part of the brain that manages automatic survival functions.

Reticular Formation

Controls arousal.

Cerebellum

Processes and coordinates voluntary movement and balance.

Amygdala

Associated with fear and aggression.

Hippocampus

Involved in learning and memory.

Hypothalamus

Acts as the reward center, managing hunger, thirst, and sexual arousal.

Pituitary Gland

Referred to as the master gland, it works with the hypothalamus.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain, functioning as a control and information-processing center.

Cerebrum

The beefy portion of the brain.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for higher-order thinking.

Parietal Lobe

Receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Occipital Lobe

Receives visual information.

Temporal Lobe

Receives auditory information.

Motor Cortex

Section of the left hemisphere that controls the right side of the body, and the right hemisphere that controls the left side.

Sensory Cortex

Area at the front of the parietal lobe that registers and processes sensations.

Association Areas

Involved in higher mental functions and not responsible for primary motor or sensory functions.

Wernicke’s Area

Involved in language comprehension.

Broca’s Area

Controls speech production.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself, particularly high in younger individuals to compensate for damage.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the left and right brain hemispheres.

Left Hemisphere

Involved in analytical thoughts, math, science, and language/speech.

Right Hemisphere

Associated with emotion and artistic abilities.

Thalamus

Sensory switchboard that processes every sense other than smell.

Medulla

Controls heartbeat and breathing.

Brainstem

The oldest part of the brain that manages automatic survival functions.

Reticular Formation

Controls arousal.

Cerebellum

Processes and coordinates voluntary movement and balance.

Amygdala

Associated with fear and aggression.

Hippocampus

Involved in learning and memory.

Hypothalamus

Acts as the reward center, managing hunger, thirst, and sexual arousal.

Pituitary Gland

Referred to as the master gland, it works with the hypothalamus.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain, functioning as a control and information-processing center.

Cerebrum

The beefy portion of the brain.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for higher-order thinking.

Parietal Lobe

Receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Occipital Lobe

Receives visual information.

Temporal Lobe

Receives auditory information.

Motor Cortex

Section of the left hemisphere that controls the right side of the body, and the right hemisphere that controls the left side.

Sensory Cortex

Area at the front of the parietal lobe that registers and processes sensations.

Association Areas

Involved in higher mental functions and not responsible for primary motor or sensory functions.

Wernicke’s Area

Involved in language comprehension.

Broca’s Area

Controls speech production.

Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself, particularly high in younger individuals to compensate for damage.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the left and right brain hemispheres.

Left Hemisphere

Involved in analytical thoughts, math, science, and language/speech.

Right Hemisphere

Associated with emotion and artistic abilities.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory. With Alzheimer’s disease, ACh-producing neurons deteriorate.

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion. Oversupply is linked to schizophrenia; undersupply is linked to tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson’s disease.

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Undersupply is linked to depression.

Norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal. Undersupply can depress mood.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Undersupply is linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in memory. Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain or pleasure. Oversupply with opioid drugs can suppress the body’s natural supply.

Substance P

Involved in pain perception and immune response. Oversupply can lead to chronic pain.