Review Flashcards: Chapters 9-11 of Introduction to Brain and Behavior

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions from Chapters 9-11 of *Introduction to Brain and Behavior*, focusing on vision/sensory perception, hearing/language/music, and motor control/movement.

What is the definition of sensation in the context of sensory perception?

Detection of physical stimuli from the environment via sensory organs.

What is the role of perception in sensory processing?

Interpretation of sensory input by the brain.

What is transduction in the context of sensory systems?

Conversion of physical energy (e.g., light) into neural signals.

What are photoreceptors, and where are they located?

Light-sensitive cells in the retina (rods and cones).

What is the function of rods in vision?

Photoreceptors for dim light, peripheral vision, no color.

What is the function of cones in vision?

Photoreceptors for bright light, color vision, high acuity, concentrated in fovea.

What is the retina?

Light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye containing photoreceptors.

What is the optic nerve's role in vision?

Bundle of axons from ganglion cells carrying visual info to the brain.

What is the LGN (Lateral Geniculate Nucleus) and its function?

Thalamic relay for visual information.

What is the primary visual cortex (V1)?

First cortical area for processing visual input.

What is the role of the dorsal stream in visual processing?

Pathway for spatial location and movement ("Where/How").

What is the role of the ventral stream in visual processing?

Pathway for object recognition ("What").

What is the cochlea?

Spiral-shaped inner ear structure where sound is transduced.

What is the basilar membrane?

Structure in cochlea with hair cells that respond to sound waves.

What are hair cells in the context of hearing?

Sensory receptors for hearing located in the cochlea.

What is tonotopic map?

Spatial arrangement of where sounds of different frequency are processed.

What is Broca's area and its function?

Brain region for speech production.

What is Wernicke's area and its function?

Brain region for language comprehension.

What is the arcuate fasciculus?

Fiber tract connecting Broca's and Wernicke's areas.

What is aphasia?

Language disorder due to brain damage.

What is prosody in speech?

Rhythm and pitch of speech, often processed in the right hemisphere.

What is the primary motor cortex (M1)?

Region responsible for executing voluntary movements.

What is the premotor cortex involved in?

Involved in organizing movement sequences.

What is the prefrontal cortex involved in regarding movement?

Involved in planning and decision-making for movement.

What is the corticospinal tract?

Major motor pathway from cortex to spinal cord.

What are the basal ganglia?

Subcortical structures that help regulate movement.

What is the substantia nigra?

Dopamine-producing area involved in movement control.

What is the role of the cerebellum in motor control?

Brain structure for coordination, balance, and timing.

What is Parkinson's disease?

Disorder caused by degeneration of dopamine neurons.

What is Huntington's disease?

Genetic disorder causing involuntary movements.

What is apraxia?

Motor disorder affecting ability to plan movements.

What is proprioception?

Sense of body position and movement.

What is the first step in processing visual information?

Light enters the eye and is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina.

After the photoreceptors, what cells transmit signals through the optic nerve?

Bipolar and ganglion cells

What is the first step in auditory processing?

Sound waves enter the ear canal and vibrate the tympanic membrane.

What structures amplify vibrations to the oval window?

Ossicles (middle ear bones)

Where does language processing primarily occur?

Left hemisphere

Where does processing of musical elements like pitch and melody occur?

Right hemisphere

Where does the prefrontal cortex formulate a movement intention based on goals?

First step in movement control process

What role do corticospinal tracs play in movement?

M1 sends motor commands via corticospinal tracts to muscles.