Biology, Brain & Behavior

Flashcards covering the main parts of the brain, brain structure (cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, spinal cord), limbic system components, neural communication, neuroimaging techniques, and types of consciousness.

Brain

The most complex organ, controlling thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.

Psychology

The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes which relies on understanding the brain.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres, responsible for conscious thought, perception, and sensation.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum responsible for many higher-level cognitive functions.

Cerebellum

Located at the base of the brain, it is responsible for coordination and balance.

Brain Stem

Connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord and is responsible for automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion.

Spinal Cord

A long, thin, tubular bundle of nerves extending from the brainstem to the lower back, responsible for transmitting sensory and motor information.

Frontal Lobe

A division of the cerebral cortex responsible for decision making, planning, and problem-solving.

Parietal Lobe

A division of the cerebral cortex responsible for sensory perception, spatial awareness, attention, mathematic and calculation.

Temporal Lobe

A division of the cerebral cortex responsible for auditory processing, memory, object recognition, emotion, and language.

Occipital Lobe

A division of the cerebral cortex responsible for visual perception, visual recognition, spatial awareness, and visual imagery.

Anterior Lobe (Cerebellum)

Located at the front of the cerebellum, it is involved in coordinating movements and limbs.

Posterior Lobe (Cerebellum)

Located at the back of the cerebellum, it is involved in coordinating movements of the limbs, fingers, and eyes.

Flocculonodular Lobe

Located at the bottom of the cerebellum, it is involved in coordinating eye movements and balance.

Medulla Oblongata

The lowest part of the brainstem which controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as reflexes like coughing and swallowing.

Pons

Located above the medulla oblongata, it regulates breathing, sleep, facial movements, and contains the reticular formation for arousal and attention.

Midbrain

Located above the pons, it is involved in controlling eye movements, processing visual and auditory information, and regulating motor movements.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system responsible for fear response, emotional processing, memory consolidation, and social behavior.

Hippocampus

Part of the limbic system involved in memory formation, spatial navigation, memory consolidation, and neurogenesis.

Thalamus

Relays information and is involved in sensory processing, motor processing, consciousness, sleep, and wakefulness.

Hypothalamus

Maintains homeostasis through hormone regulation, temperature regulation, appetite, thirst, and sleep-wake cycles.

Cingulate Gyrus

Part of the limbic system involved in emotional processing, cognitive control, pain processing, and social cognition.

Neuron

The basic unit of the nervous system.

Resting Potential

The state when a neuron is at rest and is negatively charged inside.

Action Potential

The electrical impulse that travels down the axon of a neuron.

Neurotransmitter Release

The process where chemical messengers cross the synapse to communicate between neurons.

Magnetic Reasoning Imaging (MRI)

A neuroimaging technique used to study brain structure.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity based on oxygen use.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

A neuroimaging technique that measures metabolic activity in the brain.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

A neuroimaging technique used to record brain waves.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A neuroimaging technique that measures magnetic fields in the brain.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

A neuroimaging technique providing 3D brain imaging.

Consciousness

The subjective experience of awareness of self and environment.

Sensory consciousness

Awareness of the world through the five senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

Cognitive consciousness

Awareness of thinking processes like reasoning, problem-solving, and metacognition ("thinking about thinking").

Emotional consciousness

Awareness of feelings and emotions, including both basic and complex emotions, and how they influence behaviour.

Self-consciousness

Awareness of oneself as an individual, including identity, personality, and self-reflection.

Higher-order consciousness

An advanced level of awareness involving abstract reasoning, morality, creativity, and the ability to project into the future.