Study Guide on Brain Structure and Function

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts about the brain's structure and function based on the lecture notes.

Mind/body Problem

Philosophical issue concerning the relationship between the mind and the brain.

Descartes

A philosopher who proposed that the mind and body are separate entities.

Modern Approach to Mind

The understanding that the mind is a product of brain processes.

Hindbrain

Lower part of the brain, responsible for basic life functions.

Cerebellum

Part of the hindbrain that coordinates motor control and coordination.

Medulla

Part of the hindbrain that regulates heart rate, circulation, and respiration.

Reticular Formation

A group of nuclei in the brainstem that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and arousal.

Pons

A structure in the hindbrain that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.

Midbrain

Middle part of the brain involved in functions such as vision and hearing.

Forebrain

Largest part of the brain that controls higher functions, emotions, and memory.

Limbic System

Part of the forebrain that deals with emotion, motivation, and memory.

Hypothalamus

Regulates the four F's: feeding, fighting, fleeing, and mating.

Amygdala

Involved in emotional processes such as fear and pleasure.

Hippocampus

Critical for creating and integrating new memories.

Basal Ganglia

Coordinates intentional movement and plays a role in reward processing.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions like thought and action.

Somatosensory Cortex

Region that processes sensory information from the body.

Motor Cortex

Area of the cerebral cortex responsible for voluntary muscle movements.

Broca's Area

Region of the brain that is involved in language production.

Wernicke's Area

Region associated with the comprehension of speech.

Hemispheric Specialization

The functional differences between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Corpus Callosum

Bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.

Contralateral Organization

The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa.

Neuron

The basic cell unit of the nervous system specialized in transmitting information.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

Long projection of a neuron that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where communication occurs.

Myelin Sheath

Protective fatty layer that insulates axons and speeds up signal transmission.

Action Potential

An electrical signal transmitted along a neuron's axon.

Depolarization

Change in the neuron’s membrane potential, making it more positive.

Repolarization

Return of the membrane potential back to its resting state.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by neurons that communicate with other neurons.

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Substances that increase the likelihood of an action potential occurring.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Substances that decrease the likelihood of an action potential.

Agonist

A drug that enhances the action of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A drug that blocks or diminishes the effect of a neurotransmitter.

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging; a technique used to create detailed images of the brain's structure.

fMRI

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.

EEG

Electroencephalography; measures electrical activity of the brain and is used for brain activity analysis.

Spatial Resolution

The ability of a imaging technique to distinguish between different locations.

Temporal Resolution

The accuracy of measuring time in brain activity.