PSYCH 101 the brain

lesion

naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

EEG

an amplified recording of waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

MEG

a brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical energy

PET

a brain-imaging technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain is performing a given task

MRI

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue, shows brain anatomy

fMRI

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans, shows brain function as well as structure

brainstem function

responsible for automatic survival functions

brainstem structure

beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull, the oldest part and central core of the brain

medulla function 

controls heartbeat and breathing

medulla structure

the base of the brainstem

pons function

involved in arousal and controls sleep

pons structure

part of the brainstem

thalamus function

the brain’s sensory control center, directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to cerebellum and medulla

thalamus structure

located on top of the brainstem

reticular formation function

filters information and plays an important role in arousal

reticular formation structure

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus, inside the brainstem

cerebellum function

processes sensory input, coordinates movement output and balance, and enables nonverbal learning and memory

cerebellum structure

the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem

limbic system function

associated with emotions and drives

limbic system structure

neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and the hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres

amygdala function

linked to emotion, enables aggression and fear

amygdala structure

two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system

hypothalamus function

controls eating, drinking, body temperature, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward

hypothalamus structure

a neural structure in the limbic system laying below(hypo) the thalamus

hippocampus function

helps process explicit(conscious) memories of facts and events for storage.

hippocampus structure

a neural center located in the limbic system

structures of the brain stem

pons, medulla, cerebellum