The Brain

Flashcard set for "The Brain" unit in AP Psychology.

Studying the Brain

Phineas Gage - case study - part of frontal lobe was destroyed and only his personality was impacted - shows importance of localization of brain functions

Phrenology

Thought up by Franz Gall - belief that bumps in the brain determine personality

Lesions

Destruction of brain tissue

Lobotomy

Removal of part of the brain

Plasticity

The brain’s ability to reorganize itself should it get damaged - explains phantom limb sensation

EEG Scan (Electroencephalogram Scan)

Amplified recordings of brain wave activity

CT/CAT Scan (Computerized Tomography Scan)

X-ray photos of slices of the brain; shows structures within the brain but not functions of the brain

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography Scan)

Visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose is being used while the brain performs certain tasks

MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan)

Technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to see structures within the brain

fMRI Scan (Functional MRI Scan)

Allows us to see where oxygen is being used in the brain while various tasks are being performed

Parts of the Brain

The Brainstem

Oldest area of the brain; also called the reptilian brain

Medulla

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Reticular Formation

A neural network within the brainstem; important in arousal including sleep

Pons

Regulates sleep and balances movement for left and right sides of the body for reflexes

Thalamus

Sits on top of the brainstem; receives all incoming sensory information (except smell) and sends it to the appropriate part of the brain for further processing

Cerebellum

The “little brain” attached to the back of the brainstem; it helps coordinate voluntary movement and balance

The Limbic System

A doughnut-shaped structure between the brainstem and the cerebral hemispheres; it is considered the “seat of emotion” and is also involved in motivated behavior like eating, drinking and sex

Amygdala

Involved in rage and fear as well as emotional memories

Hippocampus

Involved in memory

Hypothalamus

Involved in drives (eating, drinking, sexual behavior); it also controls the endocrine (hormonal system) via the pituitary gland; it is sometimes referred to as the “pleasure center” of the brain

Pituitary Gland

Master gland in charge of the other endocrine glands; regulates growth

Cerebral Cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the ultimate information-processing center of the brain

Frontal Lobe

Contains the motor cortex which controls voluntary movement; in the LEFT frontal lobe is Broca’s Area which controls our ability to speak

Parietal Lobe

Contains the somatosensory cortex which registers bodily sensations (touch)

Temporal Lobe

Contains the primary auditory cortex (audition) and areas for the senses of smell (olfaction) and taste (gustatory sense); the LEFT temporal lobe contains Wernicke’s Area which controls language comprehension and expression

Occipital Lobe

Contains the primary visual cortex

Association Areas

Areas of the cortex not involved in sensory or motor functions; they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, planning and language; about 75-80% of the brain is composed of association areas

Hemispheres of the Brain

Virtually all activities require BOTH hemispheres

Left Hemisphere

Controls right side of body; involved in language, science, math, etc…

Right Hemisphere

Controls left side of body; involved in music, artistic ability, spatial skills, etc…

Corpus Callosum

Hemispheres are connected via the corpus callosum; if it is cut due to epileptic seizures the patient would become split-brained

Split-Brained Patients

For split-brained patients anything in the right visual field goes to the left hemisphere and the patient is able to say what they saw; anything in the left visual field goes to the right hemisphere and the patient cannot say what they saw BUT they can draw it with their left hand