What is a lesion?
Naturally damaging brain tissue.
What is an electroencephalogram?
Amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity of the brain.
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Helps process memories.
What does the prefrontal cortex enable?
Judgment, planning, and process of new memories.
What is an MRI?
Uses magnetic fields and radio waves which allows us to see structures within the brain.
What does fMRI reveal?
Blood flow and shows brain function.
What is the brainstem responsible for?
Automatic survival functions.
What does the medulla control?
Heartbeat and breathing.
What is the thalamus?
The brain’s sensory switchboard.
What is the role of the reticular formation?
Plays an important role in controlling arousal.
What does the cerebellum deal with?
Processing sensory input as well as balance and coordination.
What is the limbic system associated with?
Emotions such as fear and aggression and drives such as those for food and sex.
What is the amygdala?
Components of the limbic system linked to emotions.
What does the hypothalamus direct?
Several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature).
What is the cerebral cortex?
The body’s ultimate control and information processing center.
What are glial cells?
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons.
What do the frontal lobes involve?
Speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments.
What do the parietal lobes receive?
Sensory input for touch and body position.
What do the occipital lobes receive?
Visual information primarily from the opposite visual field.
What do the temporal lobes receive?
Auditory information primarily from the opposite ear.
What is the motor cortex?
Area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.
What is the somatosensory cortex?
Area at front of parietal lobe that deals with body touch and movement sensations.
What is aphasia?
Impairment of language, usually caused by left-hemisphere damage.
What is plasticity in the brain?
The brain’s ability to modify itself after some types of damage.
