ap psych unit 1 - Brain structures and Functions

Cerebral Cortex

-outer layer of brain

-responsible for higher-level cog. funcs (think, perceive, decisions)

-allows complex neural processing and integration of life

Lobes of the Brain

4 Main regions in which Cerebral Cortex is divided

Association Areas

-parts of brain that TAKE INFO from senses

-puts them together to help us understand world

Frontal Lobes

-Front of Brain

-decisions, problem solving, planning, personality, expressions

Prefrontal Cortex

part of frontal lobe responsible for planning, organizing, strategizing, focusing, emotions, managing time

Motor Cortex

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls VOLUNTARY movements (sends signals to muscles)

Parietal Lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; RECEIVES SENSORY input for touch and body position (temperature, space)

Somatosensory Cortex

area at the front of the parietal lobes that REGISTERS and PROCESSES body touch and movement sensations

Occipital Lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the BACK of the head; includes areas that RECEIVES AND INTERPRETS information from the VISUAL fields

Temporal Lobes

portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the AUDITORY areas, each RECEIVING AND INTEPRETING information primarily from the opposite ear

Corpus Callosum

the large band of neural fibers CONNECTING the two brain HEMISPHERES and CARRYING messages between them

Brainstem

the OLDEST part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull (connects cc with spinal cord); the brainstem is responsible for AUTOMATIC survival functions

Medulla

the BASE of the brainstem; controls HEARTBEAT and BREATHING

Reticular Activating System

the part of the brain that is involved in ATTENTION, SLEEP, CONSCIOUSNESS, and AROUSAL

Cerebellum

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and COORDINATING MOVEMENT output and BALANCE

Limbic System

neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with EMOTIONS and MOTIVATION

Reward Center

Brain regions in Limbic System that regulate the experience of PLEASURE, particularly related to survival and reward.

Thalamus

RELAYS messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex

Hypothalamus

-regulates various essential bodily functions (hunger, thirst, sleep)

-control center that helps maintain HOMEOSTASIS/BALANCE

Pituitary Gland

-"master gland"

-regulates hormone production and secretion

Hippocampus

-in Temporal Lobes

-forms and consolidates NEW MEMORIES

-encodes info into LONG-TERM MEMORY

Amygdala

-in Temporal Lobes

-processes emotions (fear and aggression)

-detects threat

-triggers' F or F response in danger