Before the development of scanning technology, these were the most common way to study the brain.
What are case studies?
100
This structure manages life-sustaining functions (breathing, heart beat, blood pressure) that allow the higher brain regions to dream, think, talk, etc.
What is the brainstem?
100
"Cerebellum" means this in Latin.
What is "little brain"?
100
The thalamus processes all sensory information except for smell. This group of structures processes the body's response to odors instead.
What is the limbic system?
100
Damage to this structure leads to behaviors such as dizziness, an inability to walk, and slurred speech--which are also commonly seen in drunk people. It makes sense, because alcohol acts directly on this brain structure.
What is the cerebellum?
200
This other method for studying the brain is highly controversial, since the subjects cannot consent or withdraw from the research.
What is animal research?
200
This structure is responsible for coordinating voluntary movement, and it is now known that it also helps to coordinate thought.
What is the cerebellum?
200
"Thalamus" means this in Greek.
What is "inner chamber"?
200
This structure is the primary structure in the brain involved in the formation of memory.
What is the hippocampus?
200
Damage to the hippocampus would lead to _______ loss.
What is memory?
300
This invasive technique for studying the brain involves removing brain tissue to study behavioral changes.
What is ablation?
300
The death of dopamine-producing cells in this structure of the basal ganglia can lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
What is the substantia nigra?
300
The cerebellum is known as one of the few structures where the development of new neurons has been confirmed. What is the term for the development of new neurons?
What is neurogenesis?
300
This structure of the limbic system is responsible for processing emotions, specifically fear.
What is the amygdala?
300
This famous case study showed that damage to this lobe can affect the ability to regulate emotions and make careful, informed decisions.
What is the Phineas Gage case study?
400
This invasive technique for studying the brain involves scarring brain tissue to study behavioral changes.
What is lesioning?
400
This structure of the basal ganglia is known as the “pleasure center” of the brain. Stimulating it electrically can be addictive.
What is the nucleus accumbens?
400
"Hippocampus" means this in Greek.
What is "sea monster" or "sea horse".
400
This other structure of the limbic system controls four basic drives, known in some circles as the “Four F’s”: fighting, fleeing, feeding, and reproduction.
What is the hypothalamus?
400
Damage to this structure in the limbic system could lead to very aggressive behavior. It would also make it difficult to process fear, an emotion that is useful to our survival.
What is the amygdala?
500
This theory of how the brain evolved suggests that the "reptilian brain" is the oldest and most primitive structure.
What is the Triune Brain Theory?
500
Known as the “sensory switchboard” of the brain, this structure helps to coordinate communication between different regions of the cortex.
What is the thalamus?
500
The Greek prefix "hypo" in the term hypothalamus should inform you that this structure is located _______ the thalamus.
What is below/underneath?
500
The plaques and tangles that characterize this illness usually begin developing in the hippocampus, so memory loss is the best-known symptom of the disease.
What is Alzheimer's disease?
500
In a famous study using rats, scientists damaged this structure and, after observing how the rats doubled their weight, realized it played a role in regulating eating behaviors.