Module 11

Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Study of the brain and nervous system relating to behavior and mind.

Lesion

Destruction or damage to brain tissue used to determine function.

EEG (electroencephalogram)

Records brain electrical activity via scalp electrodes.

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

Detects magnetic fields from brain activity for precise timing.

CT scan (computed tomography)

Uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional brain images.

PET scan (positron emission tomography)

Uses radioactive tracers to measure metabolic activity like glucose use.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to map brain structure.

fMRI (functional MRI)

Tracks blood oxygen changes to show brain activity during tasks.

EEG vs. fMRI

EEG excels at timing; fMRI excels at location using blood oxygen.

MRI vs. fMRI

MRI shows structure; fMRI shows function and activity.

PET vs. fMRI

PET uses radioactive tracers; fMRI tracks blood oxygen changes.

Brainstem

Oldest brain region controlling basic survival functions.

Medulla

Brainstem structure controlling automatic functions like heartbeat and breathing.

Reticular formation

Nerve network in brainstem controlling arousal, alertness, and sleep.

Thalamus

Brain sensory relay station routing incoming sensory information.

Cerebellum

Controls balance, coordination, movement, and motor learning.

Limbic system

Structures involved in emotion, motivation, memory, and basic drives.

Amygdala

Limbic structure involved in processing emotions, especially fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis, hunger, thirst, temperature, and the endocrine system.

Hippocampus

Limbic structure important for forming explicit memories.

Cerebral cortex

Outer brain layer responsible for perception, thinking, and language.

Frontal lobe

Involved in planning, decision-making, personality, and motor control.

Parietal lobe

Processes touch, body sensations, and spatial information.

Occipital lobe

Primarily responsible for processing visual information.

Temporal lobe

Involved in hearing, language comprehension, and memory.

Motor cortex

Area of frontal lobe controlling voluntary movements.

Somatosensory cortex

Area of parietal lobe processing touch, pressure, and temperature.

Visual cortex

Area of occipital lobe processing visual signals.

Auditory cortex

Area of temporal lobe processing sound.

Broca's area

Frontal lobe region controlling speech production.

Wernicke's area

Temporal lobe region controlling language comprehension.

Corpus callosum

Neural fiber bundle connecting left and right brain hemispheres.

Left hemisphere

Specialized for language and analytical processing.

Right hemisphere

Specialized for spatial, visual, and emotional processing.

Neuroplasticity

Brain ability to adapt and form new connections from experience.

Split brain

Condition caused by severing the corpus callosum.

Endocrine system

Glandular system releasing hormones into the bloodstream.