AP Psychology 1.4: The Brain Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are the three major regions of the brain?
Hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain
These regions are not specific structures but rather broad areas of the brain.
What connects the brain to the rest of the body?
Spinal cord
It acts as an information highway for nerve signals.
What is the function of the brain stem?
Controls autonomic functions
It includes the medulla, pons, and midbrain.
What does the medulla oblongata regulate?
Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
It is involved in autonomic functions.
What is the role of the pons?
Connects the medulla with the cerebellum and coordinates movement
It also assists with sleep and dreams.
What does the reticular activating system regulate?
Arousal, alertness, and sleep-wake cycles
It stimulates other brain structures for immediate attention.
What is the cerebellum often referred to as?
The little brain
It coordinates voluntary movements and maintains posture and balance.
What are the primary functions of the midbrain?
Processing visual and auditory information, motor control, integrating sensory and motor pathways
Specific structures are not detailed for this region.
What is the largest part of the brain?
Cerebrum
It deals with complex thoughts.
How is the cerebrum divided?
Into two hemispheres and four lobes
Each hemisphere has specialized functions.
What is the cerebral cortex?
A thin outer layer of billions of nerve cells covering the brain
It is made up of gray matter.
What connects the two cerebral hemispheres?
Corpus callosum
It facilitates communication between hemispheres.
What functions does the frontal lobe deal with?
Higher level thinking, foresight, judgment, speech, and voluntary movement
It includes the prefrontal cortex and motor cortex.
What is Broca’s area responsible for?
Language production and controlling speech muscles
Damage can lead to Broca’s Aphasia.
What is the primary function of the parietal lobe?
Receiving sensory information
It processes touch, pain, temperature, and spatial orientation.
What is the somatosensory cortex responsible for?
Processing touch, pressure, temperature, and body position
It is located parallel to the motor cortex.
What does the temporal lobe process?
Auditory and linguistic information, memory, and facial recognition
It contains the hippocampus and amygdala.
What role does the hippocampus play?
Helps learn and form memories
It is not where memories are stored.
What is the amygdala associated with?
Emotional reactions such as fear, anxiety, and aggression
It is located at the end of the hippocampus.
What is Wernicke’s area responsible for?
Creating meaningful speech
Damage leads to Wernicke’s Aphasia.
What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?
Processing visual information
It includes the primary visual cortex.
What does the thalamus do?
Receives and relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex
It acts as a relay station for all senses except smell.
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Maintaining homeostasis and regulating drives like thirst and hunger
It works with the pituitary gland to control hormones.
What is the pituitary gland often referred to as?
The master gland
It regulates many bodily functions and controls other endocrine glands.
