AP Psychology Unit 3B Terms

Question 1

Tissue destruction; One in the brain is naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Answer 1

Lesion

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 3

A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body.

Answer 3

CT (Computed Tomography) Scan

Question 4

A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose while the brain performs a given task.

Answer 4

PET (Position Emission Tomography) Scan

Question 5

A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. They show the brain anatomy

Answer 5

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Question 6

A technique for revealing bloodflow and brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. They show brain function

Answer 6

fMRI (Functional MRI)

Question 7

The oldest part and the central core of the brain; beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; it is responsible for autonomic survival functions

Answer 7

Brainstem

Question 8

The base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Answer 8

Medulla

Question 9

A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

Answer 9

Reticular Formation

Question 10

The brain’s sensory switchboard; located on the top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Answer 10

Thalamus

Question 11

The “little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance

Answer 11

Cerebellum

Question 12

Doughnut-Shaped neural system located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

Answer 12

Limbic System

Question 13

Two lima bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion

Answer 13

Amygdala

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Hypothalamus

Question 15

The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells covering cerebral hemispheres; the body’s ultimate control and information processing center

Answer 15

Cerebral Cortex

Question 16

Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons

Answer 16

Glial Cells

Question 17

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

Answer 17

Frontal Lobes

Question 18

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

Answer 18

Parietal Lobes

Question 19

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

Answer 19

Occipital Lobes

Question 20

Portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughly above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

Answer 20

Temporal Lobes

Question 21

An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

Answer 21

Motor Cortex

Question 22

Area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

Answer 22

Sensory Cortex

Question 23

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 speaking

Answer 23

Association Areas

Question 24

Impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area or to Wernicke’s area

Answer 24

Aphasia

Question 25

Controls language expression; an area, usually in the left frontal lobe, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech

Answer 25

Broca’s Area

Question 26

Controls language reception; a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe

Answer 26

Wernicke’s Area

Question 27

The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience

Answer 27

Plasticity

Question 28

The formation of new neurons

Answer 28

Neurogenesis

Question 29

The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

Answer 29

Corpus Callosum

Question 30

A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers, connecting them

Answer 30

Split Brain

Question 31

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment

Answer 31

Consciousness

Question 32

The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition

Answer 32

Cognitive Neuroscience

Question 33

The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

Answer 33

Dual Processing