The master gland that regulates growth and controls endocrine glands
Pituitary Gland
100
Neural center helps process explicit memories for storage
Hippocampus
100
Waves of electrical activity sweep across the brain's surface; measured by electrodes placed on the scalp; computer filters out brain activity unrelated to stimulus to identify the electrical wave evoked by the stimulus
EEG (electroencephalogram)
100
What are the axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres called?
Corpus Callosum
100
What is the oldest brain structure made up of the medulla (heartbeat and breathing) and pons (movement) called?
brain stem
200
Directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex; relays messages between lower brain centers and cerebral cortex
Thalamus
200
Also known as the "little brain" this bran structure processes sensory input and coordinates movement output and balance
Cerebellum
200
Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images of soft tissue
Show the brain’s anatomy
Also used on other body parts
Better tissue contrast than a CT scan
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
200
Why would an individual undergo split brain surgery?
Contain debilitating epileptic seizuires
200
What is the detailed study of the shape and size of the cranium as a supposed indication of character and mental abilities?
Phrenology
300
Pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from brain; controls simple reflexes
Spinal cord
300
Two lima bean-sized neural clusters linked to primal emotions such as aggression and fear; also processes emotional memories and perception
Amygdala
300
Series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles
Combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body
Allows doctor to see inside the brain without cutting it open
Can be performed on the entire body
CT (computer tomography scan)
300
If a split brain patient is shown an image of a sun in his left visual field and nothing in his right visual field, how could the individual communicate what he saw?
Draw it or point out on a list
300
Name all four lobes and their locations
Frontal: behind forehead
Temporal: sides of head
Parietal: Top, back
Occipital: back
400
Directs eating, drinking, and sexual behaviors; also governs endocrine system via the pituitary gland; reward center
Hypothalamus
400
This lobe receives sensory input for touch and body position
Parietal Lobe
400
How does a doctor read an fMRI scan? What is she looking for?
Accumulation of blood in the location of the brain that they are examining. No blood: not functioning properly
400
Name two characteristics of left brain
Language: Speech and Sign Language (Quick, literal interpretations of language; Explicit)
Strokes cause speech AND signing impairments
Calculations
400
Why is Broca's aphasia known as nonfluent aphasia?
Speech is telegraphic and broken up; speaker knows what he or shew wants to say, but cannot produce the motor movement
500
Intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the hemispheres
Cerebral Cortex
500
Neural network from spinal cord up to the thalamus involved in arousal; if stimulated one becomes alert; if severed one would fall into a coma
Reticular Formation
500
Explain how a PET scan works,
Visual display of brain activity that detects where radioactive glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
Similar to weather radar hot spots
500
Name 2 characteristics of the right brain
More intuitive
Inferences (speech is predominately left)
Change speech to increase clarity
Orchestrate our sense of self
500
Name 2 functions of glial cells
Provide nutrients
Insulate myelin
Guide neural connections
Clean up ions and NTs
Aid transmission and memory