Module 5

Question 1

what can damage to the hypothalamus result in

Answer 1

damage to the hypothalamus can reduce eating to the point of starvation

Question 2

how can neuroscientists stimulate various parts of the brain

Answer 2

electrically, chemically or magnetically

Question 3

electroencephalogram (EEG)

Answer 3

an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brains surface, these waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp

Question 4

magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Answer 4

a brain-imaging technique that measures magnetic fields from the brain’s natural electrical activity

Question 5

positron emission tomography scan (PET)

Answer 5

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

Question 6

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 6

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy

Question 7

functional MRI (fMRI)

Answer 7

a technique for revealing blood flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as structure

Question 8

where does an animals capacities come from

Answer 8

its capacities come from its brain structures

Question 9

primitive animals brain structure

Answer 9

a not-so-complex brain that primarily regulates basic survival functions like breathing, resting and feeding

Question 10

lower mammals brain structure

Answer 10

a more complex brain enables emotion and greater memory

Question 11

advanced mammals brain structure

Answer 11

a brain that processes more information and enables foresight as well

Question 12

what is the brains oldest and innermost region

Answer 12

the brainstem

Question 13

what is the base of the brainstem

Answer 13

the base of the brain stem is medulla (the slight swelling in the spinal cord just after it enters the skull)

Question 14

where are the controls for your heartbeat and breathing

Answer 14

the brain stem

Question 15

where is the pons

Answer 15

just above the medulla

Question 16

what is the function of the pons

Answer 16

the pons helps coordinate movements and control sleep

Question 17

where is the thalamus located

Answer 17

the thalamus is attached to the top of the brain stem

Question 18

what is the function of the thalamus

Answer 18

the thalamus receives information from all our senses except smell and then routes that information to the higher brain regions that deal with seeing, hearing, tasting, and touching

Question 19

what is the reticular “netlike”formation

Answer 19

a neuron network extending from the spinal cord right up through the thalamus, it filters incoming stimuli and relays important information to other brain areas

Question 20

what is the cerebellum

Answer 20

deep brain structures involved in motor movement that enables nonverbal learning and skill memory

Question 21

what are the results of an injury to the cerebellum

Answer 21

• difficulty walking
• difficulty keeping balance
• difficulty shaking hands
• jerky and exaggerated movements

Question 22

where does our brain process most information

Answer 22

outside of our awareness

Question 23

what does the limbic system contain

Answer 23

• the amygdala
• the hypothalamus
• the hippocampus

Question 24

what is the amygdala

Answer 24

two Lima bean sized neural clusters to aggression and fear

Question 25

what do those with amygdala lesions often display

Answer 25

those with amygdala lesions often display reduced arousal to fear-and-anger arousing stimuli

Question 26

where is the hypothalamus located

Answer 26

just below the hypothalamus

Question 27

what is the function of the hypothalamus

Answer 27

it is an important link in the command chain governing bodily maintenance

Question 28

what do some neural clusters in the hypothalamus influence

Answer 28

they can influence hunger or regulate thirst, body temp and sexual behavior

Question 29

what do the thalamus and hypothalamus maintain together

Answer 29

they help to maintain a steady homeostatic internal state

Question 30

how does the hypothalamus monitor your body state

Answer 30

it tunes into your blood chemistry and any incoming orders from other brain parts

Question 31

how does the hypothalamus monitor your bodies sexual thoughts

Answer 31

it picks up signals from your brains cerebral cortex that you are thinking about sex, your hypothalamus will secrete hormones, they will in turn trigger the "master gland" of the endocrine system

Question 32

what is the "master gland"

Answer 32

your pituitary gland

Question 33

what does the pituitary gland influence

Answer 33

the pituitary influence your sex glands to release their hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)

Question 34

what is the interplay between the nervous and endocrine systems

Answer 34

the brain influences the endocrine system, which in turn influences the brain

Question 35

what is the hippocampus

Answer 35

a seahorse shaped brain structure

Question 36

what is the function of the hippocampus

Answer 36

the hippocampus processes conscious, explicit memories and decreases in size and function as we grow older

Question 37

what happens to people who lose their hippocampus to surgery or injury

Answer 37

they also lose their ability to form new memories of facts or events