1.4 and 1.5 (AP PYSCH UNIT 1 2026)

All brain parts for AP Psychology 2026

neuroplasticity

the brain's remarkable lifelong ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections and weakening others in response to experience

Hindbrain

The posterior (back) part of the brainstem, located below the midbrain and above the spinal cord, does all the things you don’t think about. Consists of the cerebellum, the pons, and the medulla oblongata

pons

responsible for melatonin production and the sleep wake cycle

medulla

regulates heart rate and pulse

cerebellum

responsible for balence

reticular formation

part of the body responsible for attention

pituitary gland

responsible for hormones that regulate body functions

Midbrain

The limbic system and the opmost part of the brainstem, the connection central between the brain and the spinal cord.

amygdala

controls fear and anger

hypothalmus

responsible 4 the 4 F’s: Feeding, Fleeing, Fighting, and Sex (Fornication)

hippocampus

controls memory

thalamus

relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex

forebrain (cerebral cortex)

all the higher order functions like thinking, learning, problem solving, emotions

parietal lobe

sensation and movement

temporal lobe

responsible for hearing and language

Occipital Lobe

responsible for eyesight

Broca’s area

comprehend speaking (no broca no talka)

Wernicke’s area

language comprehension

output

motor cortex

input

sensory cortex

corpus callosum

the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

left brain hemisphere

receives information and controls language, word processing, sentence construction, and the choice of words in communication, logic, number, science, analytical thinking, and reasoning, as well as skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing

right brain hemisphere

responsible for spatial abilities, creativity, imagination, and understanding emotions. It also plays a role in processing non-verbal cues, facial recognition, and musical aesthetics.

frontal lobe

located in the front of the brain and play crucial roles in various cognitive, motor, and emotional functions as well as personality

Sleep cycle

A 90-minute cycle moving through NREM stages 1–3 and REM sleep.

NREM-1

Light sleep, theta waves, hypnagogic sensations (falling or floating feeling).

NREM-2

Sleep stage with sleep spindles and K-complexes; helps with memory consolidation.

NREM-3

Deep sleep with delta waves; physical restoration and growth occur.

REM sleep

"Paradoxical" sleep where the brain is active, vivid dreams occur, but muscles are paralyzed.

Activation-synthesis theory

Dreams make sense of random brain activity during REM sleep.

Consolidation theory

Dreams help organize and store information into memory.

Insomnia

Sleep disorder involving difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Narcolepsy

Sleep disorder with sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks.

Sleep apnea

Disorder where breathing stops repeatedly during sleep, causing frequent waking.

REM sleep behavior disorder

Acting out dreams physically during REM sleep because of lack of muscle paralysis.

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

Walking or performing activities while in deep sleep.

Circadian rhythms

The body’s internal 24-hour biological clock controlling sleep-wake patterns.

Jet lag

Fatigue and cognitive issues caused by circadian rhythms being out of sync with the environment.

REM rebound

Increased REM sleep after REM deprivation to make up for lost time.

Neurogenesis

The process of forming new neurons in the brain, sometimes promoted by sleep.

Corpus callosum

Large bundle of nerve fibers connecting the brain’s two hemispheres, enabling communication.

Left Hemisphere

Brain hemisphere typically responsible for language, logic, and analytical thinking.

Right Hemisphere

Brain hemisphere typically responsible for spatial abilities, creativity, and recognizing faces.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

Records electrical activity of neurons; used for sleep studies and seizures

CT (Computed Tomography)

Uses X-rays to create detailed images of brain structure; detects tumors or injuries

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of brain structure; more detailed than CT

fMRI (Functional MRI)

Measures blood flow to show brain activity; combines structure and function info

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan

Uses radioactive glucose to track active brain areas; shows which regions are using more energy

MEG (Magnetoencephalography)

Measures magnetic fields from neuron activity; very precise timing of brain activity