BIOPSYCHOLOGY II

Phrenology

Historical theory claiming skull shape predicts mental traits.

CNS (Central Nervous System)

Brain and spinal cord that control most body and mind functions.

PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)

All nerves outside the CNS connecting the body to the brain and spinal cord.

Phineas Gage

Case study showing how frontal lobe damage affects personality and behavior.

Stroke

Disruption of blood flow to the brain causing cell death and loss of function.

Seizure

Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain.

Old Brain

Primitive brain structures responsible for survival functions.

New Brain

Higher-level brain structures involved in reasoning and complex behavior.

Lesion

Damaged area of brain tissue.

Pons

Brainstem structure regulating sleep and coordinating movement.

Ventricle

Fluid-filled cavity in the brain that cushions and protects it.

Reticular Formation

Brainstem network regulating alertness and attention.

Thalamus

Relay center sending sensory information to the cerebral cortex.

Cerebellum

“Little brain” coordinating movement, balance, and posture.

Brainstem

Oldest brain region controlling automatic survival functions.

Franz Joseph Gall

Founder of phrenology.

Cerebrum

Largest brain region responsible for higher thinking and voluntary activity.

Frontal Cortex / Frontal Lobe

Involved in decision-making, planning, personality, and movement.

Spinal Cord

Nerve bundle transmitting signals between brain and body.

Limbic System

System involved in emotion, motivation, and memory.

Amygdala

Limbic structure involved in emotion and fear responses.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis, hunger, thirst, and endocrine activity.

Hippocampus

Brain structure essential for forming new memories.

Pituitary Gland

“Master gland” controlling hormone release.

Brain Matter

Gray matter (cell bodies) and white matter (axons).

Hemisphere Dominance

Tendency for one hemisphere to be more active in certain functions.

Lateralization

Specialization of left or right hemisphere for specific tasks.

Corpus Callosum

Neural fibers connecting the two hemispheres.

Forebrain

Includes cortex and limbic system; responsible for complex thought and emotion.

Midbrain

Region controlling sensory processing and movement.

Hindbrain

Includes brainstem and cerebellum; controls basic life functions.

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

Measures electrical activity of the brain.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-carrying protein in blood; relevant in some imaging methods.

Visual Cortex

Occipital lobe region processing visual information.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that reduce pain and increase pleasure.

Broca’s Area

Left frontal lobe region responsible for speech production.

Wernicke’s Area

Left temporal lobe region responsible for language comprehension.

Motor Cortex

Frontal lobe area controlling voluntary movement.

Somatosensory Cortex

Parietal lobe area processing touch and body sensations.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information and spatial awareness.

Occipital Lobe

Processes visual information.

Temporal Lobe

Processes auditory information and supports memory.

MEG Scan

Measures magnetic fields produced by neural activity.

CT / CAT Scan

X-ray imaging technique showing brain structure.

MRI Scan

Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed brain images.

PET Scan

Shows brain activity by tracking glucose use.

fMRI Scan

Measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.