Biological Sciences Vocab 2 (BRAIN)

Neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by re-organizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Lesion

Tissue destruction. Brain lesions may occur naturally from disease or trauma, during surgery, or experimentally.

EEG (electroencephalograph)

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brains surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.

MEG (magnetoencephalograph)

 a brain imaging technique that requires magnetic fields from the brains, natural electrical activity

CT (computed tomography) scan

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice of the brain’s structure

PET (positron emission tomography)

 technique for detecting brain activity that displays where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.

fMRI (functional MRI)

 a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as structure

Hindbrain

Located at the base of the brain, connecting to the spinal cord. It controls vital autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and balance through structures such as the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.

Midbrain

Sits between the hindbrain and forebrain as part of the brainstem. It relays sensory and motor signals, particularly for vision and hearing, and helps regulate arousal and motor control.

Forebrain

Occupies the front and top of the brain, encompassing the cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus. It handles higher cognitive functions including thinking, memory, emotion and sensory processing.

Brainstem

Extends from the spinal cord through the hindbrain and midbrain. It manages basic life-sustaining functions like heartbeat, breathing, and sleep-wake cycles, while also routing signals to the forebrain.

Medulla

At the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing. Extra info: involuntary functions.

Thalamus

At the top of the brainstem; relay station for incoming and outgoing sensory information (with the exception of smell)

Reticular Formation

Nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus. Helps control arousal and filters incoming sensory stimuli.

Cerebellum

At the rear of the brainstem; processing sensory input, coordinating movement and balance, nonverbal learning and memory.

Limbic System

Made up of the Hypothalamus, Amygdala, and Hippocampus.

Amygdala

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters; linked to Emotion – specifically fear and aggression.

Hypothalamus

Below the thalamus; directs eating, drinking, body temperature; helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, linked to emotion and reward.

Hippocampus

A small structure with two “arms” that wrap around the thalamus; helps process explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events.

Cerebral Cortex

The body’s ultimate control and information-processing center; four regions called lobes.

Frontal Lobes

Involved in speaking, motor movements, judgment and decision-making; in the cerebral cortex.

Parietal Lobes

Receives and processes sensory input for touch and body position; in the cerebral cortex.

Occipital Lobes

Each lobe receives visual information, primarily from the opposite visual field; in the cerebral cortex.

Temporal Lobes

Each lobe receives auditory information, primarily from the opposite ear; in the cerebral cortex.

Motor Cortex

Controls voluntary movements; in the right hemisphere section.

Somatosensory Cortex

Registers information from the skin senses and body movements; in the left hemisphere section.

Association Areas

Most of the brain’s cortex which integrates information involved in learning, remembering, thinking, and other higher-level functions.

Corpus Callosum

A thick band of nerve fibers located between the brain’s 2 hemispheres. It enables communication between the left and right sides, allowing integrated processing of information.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons in the brain. It primarily occurs in the hippocampus in adults, supporting learning, memory, and neural plasticity.

Split Brain

Severed corpus callosum- usually to treat severe epilepsy. Results in the hemispheres functioning independently, leading to phenomena like unilateral neglect where 1 side ignores visual input.