AP Psych Unit 3B Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a lesion?

An imaging technique

A form of brain activity measurement

A part of the brain

A brain tissue destruction (correct)

What does an electroencephalogram (EEG) record?

Waves of electrical activity in the brain

What does a CT scan do?

Takes X-ray photographs from different angles to examine the brain.

What is the primary function of a PET scan?

Detects brain activity by showing glucose consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What does an MRI scan produce?

Computer-generated images of soft tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What does fMRI scan reveal?

Blood flow and brain activity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the brainstem?

Responsible for automatic survival functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pons?

Helps coordinate movement. Signup and view all the answers

What does the medulla control?

Heartbeat and breathing. Signup and view all the answers

What does the reticular formation control?

Arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the thalamus?

Acts as the brain's sensory switchboard. Signup and view all the answers

What functions does the cerebellum serve?

Processes sensory input and coordinates movement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the limbic system associated with?

Emotions and drives. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the amygdala?

Linked to emotion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the hippocampus process?

Memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Directs maintenance activities and regulates the endocrine system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cerebral cortex known for?

Ultimate control and information-processing center. Signup and view all the answers

What are glial cells?

Support, nourish, and protect neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What do frontal lobes involve?

Speaking, muscle movements, and judgments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of parietal lobes?

Processes sensory input for touch and body position. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Concepts in Neuroscience

Lesion: Tissue destruction in the brain which can occur naturally or be experimentally induced by scientists targeting specific areas.
Electroencephalogram (EEG): A method to measure brain electrical activity. Electrodes on the scalp amplify and record the brain waves as they change.
CT Scan: Utilizes multiple X-ray images taken from different angles, combined through computer technology to visualize brain structure and identify damage.
PET Scan: Visualizes brain activity by tracking the movement of radioactive glucose during mental tasks, revealing metabolic processes within various brain regions.
MRI Scan: Employs magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues, primarily used for visualizing brain and spinal structures.
fMRI Scan: Advanced imaging technique that shows brain blood flow and activity, allowing simultaneous assessment of brain structure and function.
Brainstem: Fundamental part of the brain responsible for vital life functions like breathing and heartbeat; it extends from the spinal cord into the skull.
Pons: Sits above the medulla and plays a key role in coordinating movements and ensuring communication between different brain areas.
Medulla: Critical for autonomic functions, its location at the base of the brainstem allows it to oversee vital processes like heartbeat and respiration.
Reticular Formation: A network of neurons in the brainstem essential for regulating arousal and consciousness; damage here may lead to a coma.
Thalamus: Functions as the brain's sensory relay station; sends sensory information (except for smell) to the appropriate areas in the cerebral cortex.
Cerebellum: Located at the back of the brain; coordinates voluntary movement, balance, and processes sensory input.
Limbic System: Emotionally significant part of the brain; includes structures such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus linked to emotional responses and drives.
Amygdala: Small, almond-shaped clusters in the limbic system associated with emotional processing, particularly fear and pleasure.
Hippocampus: Key structure for memory formation and retrieval; significantly involved in learning processes.
Hypothalamus: A vital regulatory center that manages bodily functions like hunger, thirst, temperature, and governs the endocrine system through the pituitary gland.
Cerebral Cortex: The outer layer of the brain involved in higher-order functions like thinking, decision-making, and sensory processing; often referred to as the brain's control center.
Glial Cells: Supportive cells in the nervous system that care for neurons, potentially aiding in learning and cognitive functions.
Frontal Lobes: The cerebral cortex section responsible for voluntary movement, complex cognitive tasks like planning, and regulation of behavior; positioned behind the forehead.
Parietal Lobes: Located at the top of the brain, these lobes process sensory information related to touch and spatial orientation.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms from AP Psychology Unit 3B with these flashcards. Dive into concepts like lesions and EEGs, crucial for understanding brain function and structure. Perfect for quick review or exam preparation.