Intro To Psychology

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nervous system

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an interacting network of neurons that conveys electrochemical information through the body

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central nervous system

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the part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and the spinal cord

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peripheral nervous system

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the part of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the body's organs and muscles

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somatic nervous system

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a set of nerves that conveys information into and out of the central nervous system

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autonomic nervous system

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a set of nerves that carries involuntary and autonomic commands that control blood vessels, body organs, and glands

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sympathetic nervous system

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a set of nerves that prepares the body for action in threatening situations

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parasympathetic nervous system

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a set of nerves that helps the body return to a normal resting state

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spinal reflexes

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simple pathways in the nervous system that rapidly generate muscle contractions

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What are the 3 major divisions of the brain?

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forebrain
midbrain
hindbrain

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the hindbrain

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an area of the brain that coordinates information coming into and out of the spinal cord

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the three anatomical structures that make up the hindbrain

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-medulla
-cerebellum
-pons

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the medulla

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-an extension of the spinal cord into the skull that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration
-inside the medulla is the reticular formation which regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal

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cerebellum

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a large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills

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pons

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a structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain
-means "bridge" in latin

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the midbrain

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sits on top of the hindbrain
contains two main structures: the tectum and the tegmentum

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tectum

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orients an organism in the environment

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tegmentum

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involved in movement and arousal

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the forebrain

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the highest level of the brain
controls complex cognitive, emotional, sensory, and motor function
divided into two main sections: the cerebral cortex and the subcortical structures

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cerebral cortex

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the outermost layer of the brain, visible to the naked eye and divided into two hemispheres

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subcortical structures

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areas of the forebrain housed under the cerebral cortex near the very center of the brain

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limbic system

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a group of forebrain structures including the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the hippocampus, which are involved in motivation, emotion, learning, and memory

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thalamus

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a subcortical structure that relays and filters information from the senses and transmits the info to the cerebral cortex

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hypothalamus

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a subcortical structure that regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior

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pituitary gland

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the "master gland" of the body's hormone-producing system, which releases hormones that direct the functions of many other glands in the body

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hippocampus

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a structure critical for creating new memories and integrating them into a new network of knowledge so that they can be stored indefinitely in other parts of the cerebral cortex

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amygdala

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a part of the lymbic system that plays a central role in many emotional processes, particularly the formation of emotional memories

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basal ganglia

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a set of subcortical structures that directs internal movement

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the cerebral cortex has two hemispheres that control the functions of the (blank) side of the body

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opposite

this is called contralateral control

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commisures

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bundles of axons that make possible communication between parallel areas of the cortex in each half

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corpus callosum

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connects large areas of the cerebral cortex on each side of the brain and supports communication across the hemispheres

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four lobes of the cortex

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occipital lobe
parietal lobe
temporal lobe
frontal lobe

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occipital lobe

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processes visual information

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parietal lobe

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processes information about touch

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temporal lobe

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responsible for hearing and language

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frontal lobe

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has specialized areas for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory and judgement

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association areas

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areas of the cerebral cortex that are composed of neurons that help provide meaning to the information registered

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brain plasticity

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the ability to adapt to changes in sensory inputs

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Broca's area

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left frontal cortex, language production

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Wernicke's area

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left temporal cortex, language comprehension

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EEG

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electroenceohalograph

a device used to record electrical activity in the brain