Chapter 2: Neuroscience & Behavior Part 2

PET (positron emission tomography scan)

a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fileds and radio waves to produce computer generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain

fMRI (functional MRI)

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive ___ scans. MRI scans show brain anatomy; ____ scans show brain function.

brainstem

The oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the _________ is responsible for automatic survival functions

medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

reticular formation (RAS)

a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal; extends from spinal chord to thalamus; filters incoming stimuli

thalamus

the brain's sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

cerebellum

the "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

limbic system

A doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions such as fear and aggression and drives such as those for food and sex. Includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.

amygdala

two lima bean-sized neural clusters that are components of the limbic system and are linked to emotion

corpus callosum

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

split brain

a condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers between them (mainly the corpus callosum)

plasticity

the brain's capacity for modification, as evident in brain reorganization following damage (especially in children) and in experiments on the effects of experience on brain development

Wernicke's area

controls language reception-a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe

aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding) Broca's area: controls language expression-an area of the frontal, usually in the left hemisphere,

Broca's area

controls language expression-an area of the frontal, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

association areas

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

sensory cortex

the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations; receives messages from motor cortex (input)

motor cortex

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements; sends messages out (output)

temporal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which receives auditory information primarily from the opposite ear

frontal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments

parietal lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

occipital lobes

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual information from the opposite visual field

glial cells

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons, "neural nannies," "glue cells

cerebral cortex

the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and info processing center

electroencephalogram (EEG)

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain's surface; these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

lesion

tissue destruction; a brain _____ is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

angular gyrus

transforms visual representations into an auditory code; damage to this leaves the person unable to speak and understand, but able to read

fissures

deep grooves or folds in the brain

hippocampus

structure in the limbic system linked to memory

Phineas Gage

Vermont railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that changed his personality and behavior; his accident gave information on the brain and which parts are involved with emotional reasoning

hindbrain

A part of the brain located at the rear base of the skull that is involved in the basic processes of life; includes brainstem, cerebellum, medulla

forebrain

top of the brain which includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex; responsible for emotional regulation, complex thought, memory aspect of personality

hemispheric lateralization

hemispheric specialization; "right brain" vs. "left brain

Michael Gazzaniga and Roger Sperry

split brains in mice/rats/cats and showed that they weren't affected