Overview of Biological Psychology and Brain Function

Mind/body problem

Relationship between mind and brain functions.

Descartes' view

Mind and body are separate entities.

Pineal gland

Connection point between mind and body.

Thalamus

Filters and transmits sensory information to cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates fighting, fleeing, feeding, and mating.

Amygdala

Involved in emotional processing and reactions.

Hippocampus

Essential for forming and integrating new memories.

Basal ganglia

Directs intentional movement and reward processing.

Cerebral Cortex

Large, folded surface area for processing information.

Frontal lobe

Responsible for complex thinking and decision-making.

Motor cortex

Initiates voluntary motor movements in the brain.

Temporal lobe

Processes auditory information and sounds.

Parietal lobe

Responsible for processing touch and sensory information.

Somatosensory cortex

Larger area for more sensitive body parts.

Occipital lobe

Processes visual information and sight.

Corpus callosum

Connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Cerebellum

Coordinates motor control and balance.

Medulla

Controls heart rate, circulation, and respiration.

Reticular formation

Regulates sleep, wakefulness, and arousal levels.

Pons

Relays information between cerebellum and brain.

Retrograde amnesia

Inability to recall past memories.

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to form new memories.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Uses magnets to disrupt brain activity temporarily.

Broca's area

Region responsible for language production.

Wernicke's area

Region responsible for speech comprehension.

Aphasia

Loss of ability to use or understand language.

Neurons

Cells specialized in transmitting information.

Dendrites

Receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

Conducts electrical impulses away from cell body.

Synapse

Gap between neurons for signal transmission.

Myelin sheath

Insulates axons, increasing communication speed.

Action potential

Electrical signal traveling along a neuron's axon.

Resting potential

Neuronal state before action potential occurs.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses.

Acetylcholine

Involved in voluntary motor control functions.

Dopamine

Regulates movement, motivation, and pleasure.

Serotonin

Regulates sleep, wakefulness, and eating behavior.

Agonist

Drug that enhances neurotransmitter action.

Antagonist

Drug that inhibits neurotransmitter function.

MRI

Imaging technique using magnetic fields for brain structure.

fMRI

Measures brain activity via blood oxygen changes.

EEG

Records electrical activity from large neuron populations.