PSYC 1101 Chapter 2.2-2.4

Lesion

Tissue destruction in the brain that can occur naturally, through surgery, or experimentally.

EEG (electroencephalogram)

An amplified recording of electrical activity waves across the brain’s surface measured by electrodes on the scalp.

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

A brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity.

PET (positron emission tomography)

A technique for detecting brain activity by displaying the location of radioactive glucose during a task.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

A technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of soft tissue, showing brain anatomy.

fMRI (functional MRI)

A technique revealing blood flow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans, showing both function and structure.

Hindbrain

The part of the brain consisting of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum, responsible for essential survival functions and coordination.

Midbrain

The brain region atop the brainstem that connects the hindbrain and forebrain, controlling motor movement and transmitting sensory information.

Forebrain

The brain region that includes the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus, managing complex cognitive activities and voluntary motor functions.

Brainstem

The central core of the brain responsible for automatic survival functions, beginning where the spinal cord enters the skull.

Medulla

The base of the brainstem in the hindbrain that controls heartbeat and breathing.

Thalamus

The sensory control center of the forebrain that directs messages to sensory areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

Reticular formation

A nerve network in the brainstem that filters information and plays a role in controlling arousal.

Cerebellum

The "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem, involved in processing sensory input, coordinating movement, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

Limbic system

A neural system in the forebrain associated with emotions and drives, including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus.

Amygdala

Neural clusters in the limbic system linked to emotion.

Hypothalamus

A limbic system structure that directs maintenance activities and governs the endocrine system, linked to emotion and reward.

Hippocampus

A neural center in the limbic system that processes explicit memories for storage.

Cerebral cortex

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres, serving as the body’s control and information-processing center.

Frontal lobes

The cerebral cortex portion involved in speaking, muscle movements, and making plans and judgments.

Parietal lobes

The cerebral cortex portion that receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Occipital lobes

The cerebral cortex portion that includes areas receiving information from visual fields.

Temporal lobes

The cerebral cortex portion that includes auditory areas receiving information primarily from the opposite ear.

Motor cortex

The area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.

Somatosensory cortex

The area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

Association areas

Areas of the cerebral cortex involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons.

Corpus callosum

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them.

Split brains

A condition resulting from surgery that separates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the connecting fibers, mainly those of the corpus callosum.