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Psych for AP - Ch 3B
Chapter 3B
Term | Definition |
---|---|
lesion | tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue. (p. 67) |
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. (p. 67) |
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 through the body. Also called CAT scan. (p. 68) |
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. (p. 68) |
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. (p. 68) |
fMRI (functional MRI) | a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function. (p. 68) |
brainstem | the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions. (p. 69) |
medulla | the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing. (p. 69) |
reticular formation | a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal. (p. 70) |
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. (p. 70) |
cerebellum | the “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance. (p. 70) |
limbic system | doughnut-shaped neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives. (p. 71) |
amygdala | two lima bean–sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion. (p. 71) |
hypothalamus | a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward. (p. 72) |
cerebral | cortex the intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information-processing center. (p. 74) |
glial cells (glia) | cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons. (p. 74) |
frontal lobes | portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments. (p. 74) |
parietal | lobes portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position. (p. 74) |
occipital | lobes portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields. (p. 74) |
temporal lobes | portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear. (p. 74) |
motor cortex | an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements. (p. 75) |
sensory cortex | area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations. (p. 77) |
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. (p. 78) |
aphasia | impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impairing understanding). (p. 80) |
Broca’s area | controls language expression—an area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech. (p. 80) |
Wernicke’s area | controls language reception—a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe. (p. 80) |
plasticity | the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience. (p. 82) |
neurogenesis | the formation of new neurons. (p. 83) |
corpus callosum | the large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them. (p. 84) |
split brain | a condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them. (p. 84) |
consciousness | our awareness of ourselves and our environment. (pp. 89, 176) |
cognitive neuroscience | the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language). (pp. 7, 89) |
dual processing | the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks. (p. 90) |