Topic 2 biological psychology

Cerebral cortex

Brain surface, very uneven made of folds and grooves. Most prominent groove is the longitudinal fissure that divides the brain into left and right hemisphere

Forebrain structure

Largest region of the brain. Includes hemispheres, cerebral cortec and subcortical structures

Frontal lobe

Contains motor cortex, prefrontal cortex and broca’s area. Responsible for body movements, planning, decision making and speech

Parietal lobe

Contains somatosensory cortex. Responsible for processing info from the body senses. The more sensitive a part the bigger area it occupies

Temporal lobe

Contains the auditory lobe and wernicke’s area. Responsible for sound processing and language comprehension

Occipital lobe

Contains the primary visual cortex. Responsible for interpreting incoming visual information

Thalamus

Beneath the cerebral cortex. Acts as the brain relay station, initially process sensory info before sending them to other areas of cortex for processing

Limbic system

Beneath the cerebral cortex. Contains the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus

Hippocampus

Part lf limbic system, involves learning and forming new memories

Amygdala

Part of kimbic system. Involves experiencing emotions and connects emotions to feeling

Hypothalamus

Part of limbic system. Regulates homeostatic processes such as body temperature, appetite and blood pressure. Links nervous system to endocrine system

Lateralization

Term use to specify when only one hemisphere of the brain has a specific function and specialization

Corpus callous

Thick band of neutral fibers that connect both brain hemispheres that allows them to communicate, proccess info by one and share with the other

Split-brain patients

If the corpus callous is cut, certain functions are affected which causes this disease. Patients shown a picture in their left eye, which is precessed by righ hemisphere cant name it but can draw it since language belings to the left hemisphere

Left hemisphere

controls sensory stimulus and motor control from right side of body, speech, analysis, calculations, time and recognition of language and number

Right hemisphere

Controls Sensory stimulus and motor control of left side of body, creativity, spatial ability, context and recognition of things

Midbrain

Found deep inside the brain

Reticular formulation

Structure of the midbrain, network of interconnected neurons that regulates sleep, arousal, alertness and movement

Substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area

In the midbrain, produces dopamine and are essential for movement, mood and reward processing

Hindbrain

Located at the back of the head

Medulla

Part of hindbrain, controls vital automatic functions like breathing, blood pressure and heart rate

Pons

Part of hindbrain, bridge connecting hindbrain to rest of the brain. Regulates sleep

Cerebellum

Part of hindbrain. Coordinates balance movement, motor skills,p and procedural memory

Spinal cord

Connects brain to rest of the body, relaying sensory and motor messages. Coordinates reflexes by processing sensory signals and sending immediate motor commands to react quickly without waiting for brain input.

PET

• measures how much energy brain regions use. Glucose is injected into blood, which active neurons consume more, allowing which area is more active.

fMRI

• measures changes in blood oxygen levels. When neurons are active they need more oxygen. Shows which parts of the brain is working harder

EEG

• measures electrical activity in the brain. Electrodes on scalp pick up voltage, occur when large group of neurons fire together showing brain wave patterns.

MEG

• measures magnetic fields produced by brain electrical activity

Temporal resolution

• how precisely a technique can track brain activity

Spatial resolution

• how precisely a technique can show where in the brain activity occurs.