BIOL121 Lecture: The Central Nervous System

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the central nervous system, based on lecture notes.

Anterior association area

Region of the frontal lobe involved in higher cognitive functions.

Arachnoid granulations

Small projections of the arachnoid mater that absorb cerebrospinal fluid.

Basal nuclei

Clusters of neuronal cell bodies in the brain that help regulate movement.

Blood brain barrier

A selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances.

Cerebellum

Brain region that coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

Frontal eye field

Area of the frontal lobe involved in controlling eye movement.

Gustatory cortex

Area of the brain responsible for the perception of taste.

Hippocampus

Part of the limbic system involved in memory formation.

Limbic system

A group of structures involved in emotion, behavior, and long-term memory.

Medulla oblongata

Part of the brainstem that controls vital autonomic functions such as heartbeat and breathing.

Reticular formation

Network of neurons that helps regulate consciousness and alertness.

Thalamus

Relay station for sensory information going to the cerebral cortex.

Ventricles of the brain

Cavities in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.

Wernicke’s area

Region of the brain involved in language comprehension.

White matter

Brain tissue composed mostly of myelinated axons, involved in communication between brain regions.