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AP Psychology - 3B - Vocab Flashcards

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5247842462Lesion- Tissue destruction; a brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue. * The destruction of tissue ; causing tissue to die0
5247848968Electroencephalogram- 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. * Magnified waves that measure the brains electrical activity1
5247852607CT (Computed Tomography) Scan- A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angels and combined by computer into composite representation of a slice through the body * an X-ray that shows only half a body sliced through the middle2
5247858003PET (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. * Determines how the brain processes information.3
5247863829MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan- A technique that uses magnetic field and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy. * Shows the brain in detail4
5247871234fMRI (functional MRI)- A technique for revealing blood-flow and therefore brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans . fMRI scans show brain function. * Shows how each part of the brain works5
5247872909Brainstem-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. * In charge of reflexes6
5247874995Medulla- The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.7
5247880210Reticular Formation- A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.8
5247889213Thalamus- The brain 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 * interprets messages and transmits replies9
5247889214Cerebellum- The "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance.10
5247896007Limbic System- Doughnut-shaped neural system (including the hippo campus amygdala and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres associated with emotions and drives. *Controls emotion and commands11
5247900865Amygdala- Two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system * Controls Emotions12
5247904667Hypothalamus- A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and is linked to emotion and reward. *Directs eating, drinking, body temperature and is linked to emotion and reward; helps the endocrine system through the pituitary gland.13
5247904668Cerebral Cortex- The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering the cerebral hemispheres; the body's ultimate control and information processing center. * The outside membrane protecting the brain.14
5247907640Glial Cells- Cells in the nervous system that support nourish and protect neurons.15
5247910332Frontal Lobes- Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the four head involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgments16
5247913734Parietal Lobes- Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear receives sensory input for touch and body position17
5247918149Occipital Lobes- Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head includes areas that receive information from the visual fields18
5247920503Temporal Lobes- Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears includes the auditory areas each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear19
5247922141Motor Cortex- An area at the rear of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements20
5247922142Sensory Cortex- Area at the front of the parental lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations21
5247925240Association 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 speaking22
5247925241Aphasia- Impairment of language usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area ( impairing speaking) or Wernicke's area ( impairing understanding)23
5247928869Broca's Area- Controls language expression in area usually in the left frontal lobe that directs the muscle movement involved in speech24
5247930878Wernicke's Area- Controls language reception of brain area involved in language comprehension and expression usually in the left temporal lobe.25
5247933142Plasticity- The brains ability to change (especially during childhood) by recognizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience26
5247935872Neurogenesis- The formation of new neurons.27
5247939806Corpus Callosum- The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and caring messages between them.28
5247941888Split Brain- A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brains to hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) connecting them * surgically cutting the brain in two half's; right down the middle29
5247944009Consciousness- Our awareness of ourselves and our environment30
5247946151Cognitive Neuroscience- The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception thinking memory and language) * the study of how the brain acts or process knowledge and understanding through thought.31
5247958528Dual Processing- The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks32

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