Brains, neurons, and nervous systems- PSYC 2301

Vocabulary flashcards covering key components and concepts of the brain, neurons, and nervous systems for PSYC 2301.

Amygdala

Role in emotion/aggression and associative learning for emotions

Hippocampus

Conversion of short-term memories into long-term memories

Parietal Lobe

Lobe of cerebral cortex that contains sensory area for sense of touch

Thalamus

Relay station between your senses and your cerebral cortex

Temporal lobe

Contains Wernicke's area- plays role in language comprehension

Corpus callosum

Large group of neurons connecting the right and left hemispheres

Limbic system

Group of structures involved in basic drives and motivation

Hypothalamus

Exerts control over the pituitary gland

Occipital Lobe

Lobe of cerebral cortex containing the primary visual cortex

Hindbrain

Structures including the medulla, pons, and cerebellum

Cerebellum

Damage results in lack of movement coordination (ataxia)

Medulla

Involved in vital functions: heart rate, breathing, swallowing, etc.

Frontal Lobe

Part of cortex that is destroyed during a lobotomy

Homunculus

Map of the body on parietal cortex

Sympathetic nervous system

Branch of autonomic nervous system- helps you 'run away'

Pituitary gland

Major gland in your endocrine system

Neural plasticity

Brain's ability to change and rewire

Phrenology

Incorrectly assumed that skull shape matched the shape of the brain

Corpus callosum (Split-brain surgery)

Structure that is severed/cut during split brain surgery

Presynaptic neuron

Neuron that is sending the signal- neuron before the synaptic gap