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The Brain
Neuron | basic building block of the nervous system |
Action potential | brief electrical charge that travels down the axon |
Refractory Period | Recharging phase |
Resting potential | neuron rests |
Brainstem | survival functions; oldest part |
Medulla | base of the brain stem; heart beat and breathing |
Reticular formation | wake fullness and arousal |
Thalamus | "flower part"; brain's sensory switch board |
Cerebellum | "little brain"; movements and balance |
Limbic system | border the brain stem and cerebral cortex; memory, fear, aggression, hunger, and thirst |
Hypothalamus | "L"; eating, drinking, body temp. (happy) |
Hippocampus | "sea horse"; memory |
Amygdala | 2 almond shaped neural clusters; linked to emotions |
Cerebral cortex | neural cell that effects controls; |
Longitudinal tissue | crack running along the middle of the brain |
Corpus callosum | bands of neural fibers that connects the 2 brain hemispheres |
Frontal lobes | makes plans and judgements |
Parietal lobes | top of the head; processes information |
Occipital lobes | back of the head; visual processing areas |
Temporal lobes | by the temples; hearing areas |
Motor cortex | movements |
Somatosensory cortex | body sensations |
Broca's area | "boca"; muscle movements in speech |
Wernicke's area | comprehension and expression |
Plasticity | brain's capacity for modification |