Brain Structures and Functions

Vocabulary flashcards covering brain structures, regions, divisions of the nervous system, and neurotransmitters based on the study worksheet.

Cerebellum

Responsible for balance, coordination, and movement.

Brainstem

Controls automatic body functions, breathing, and heart rate.

Thalamus

Sends sensory information to the correct areas of the brain.

Hypothalamus

Regulates sex, hunger, thirst-drives, body temp., and releases hormones.

Amygdala

Controls fear, fight or flight.

Hippocampus

Converts short-term memory into long-term memory.

Corpus Callosum

Connects left and right side of brain and allows communication.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in decision-making, planning, movement, problem solving, & personality.

FL: Broca's Area

Controls speech production, & communication.

Parietal Lobe

Processes touch, pressure, temperature, pain, and body position.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information and helps you see.

Temporal Lobe

Processes sound, language, and memory.

TL: Wernicke's Area

Helps understand spoken and written language.

Left Hemisphere

Involved in language, logic, math, and analytical thinking; controls right side.

Right Hemisphere

Involved in creativity, visual skills, emotions, recognizing patterns; controls left side.

Pituitary Gland

Releases hormones that control growth, development, and other body functions.

Sensory Neurons

Carry information from your senses to your brain and spinal cord.

Motor Neurons

Carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles.

Mirror Neurons

Brain cells that activate when you perform an action or watch someone perform it.

Interneurons

Connect sensory neurons & motor neurons within the CNS and help process info and respond.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movement and carries sensory information to brain.

Pons

Coordinate movement / circadian cycle.

Reticular Formation

Control alertness, attention, and sleep/wakefulness.

Basal Ganglia

Control movement, coordination, and habits.

Frontal Lobe: Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Frontal Lobe: Prefrontal Cortex

Controls decision-making, planning, judgement, and self-control.

Parietal Lobe: Sensory Cortex

Processes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position.

Occipital Lobe: Visual Cortex

Process visual information, helping you see and understand what you're looking at.

Temporal Lobe: Auditory Cortex

Processes sounds and helps you hear.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Prepares the body for action or stress (fight or flight).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Helps body calm down and return to normal after stress (rest and digest).

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and other body functions.

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter that helps control alertness, attention, and body's stress response.

Acetylcholine (ACH)

Neurotransmitter that helps with muscle movement, learning, and memory.

Glutamate

Neurotransmitter that helps with learning, memory, and brain activity.

GABA

Neurotransmitter that slows down brain activity and helps calm the nervous system.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that help reduce pain and create feelings of well-being/pleasure.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, movement, & learning.