Back to AI Flashcard MakerPsychology /GRE® Psychology Biological: Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience Part 3
GRE® Psychology Biological: Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience Part 3
This deck covers key concepts in physiological and behavioral neuroscience, focusing on brain structures, functions, and their implications in psychology.
Describe the part of the brain: thalamus
Known as the 'sensory way station' of the brain, it receives information from the spinal cord and routes it to the appropriate part of the forebrain for further processing.
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Describe the part of the brain: thalamus
Known as the 'sensory way station' of the brain, it receives information from the spinal cord and routes it to the appropriate part of the forebrai...
Describe the part of the brain: hypothalamus
It controls the endocrine system, as well as metabolic functions like libido, body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
Describe the part of the brain: hippocampus
It is responsible for converting short-term memories to long-term memories.
Describe the part of the brain: amygdala
It controls emotion and fear.
Why are our brains wrinkled?
The surface of the brain is covered with neurons, and wrinkles (or fissures) increase the surface area so more neurons can connect with one another to...
If you want to kick a soccer ball with your right foot, which hemisphere of the brain controls this, and what principle explains it?
The left hemisphere controls the motor function on the right half of the body and vice versa. This is called contralateral control.
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Describe the part of the brain: thalamus | Known as the 'sensory way station' of the brain, it receives information from the spinal cord and routes it to the appropriate part of the forebrain for further processing. |
Describe the part of the brain: hypothalamus | It controls the endocrine system, as well as metabolic functions like libido, body temperature, hunger, and thirst. |
Describe the part of the brain: hippocampus | It is responsible for converting short-term memories to long-term memories. |
Describe the part of the brain: amygdala | It controls emotion and fear. |
Why are our brains wrinkled? | The surface of the brain is covered with neurons, and wrinkles (or fissures) increase the surface area so more neurons can connect with one another to transmit more information. |
If you want to kick a soccer ball with your right foot, which hemisphere of the brain controls this, and what principle explains it? | The left hemisphere controls the motor function on the right half of the body and vice versa. This is called contralateral control. |
Fill in the blanks: Split-brain patients have had their __________ __________ severed, usually to treat epilepsy. What two doctors pioneered this surgical procedure? | corpus callosum; Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga pioneered this procedure. |
Describe the part of the brain: corpus callosum | It is the nerve bundle that runs through the middle of the brain, connecting the hemispheres. |
It has been suggested that the right hemisphere of the brain is active during spatial and creative tasks, while the left is activated during logic, spoken language, and sequential tasks. What are the two terms used to describe the differences between the right and left hemispheres? | 1. brain lateralization 2. hemispheric specialization |
Name the four lobes in the brain. | 1. frontal 2. parietal 3. occipital 4. temporal |
What is the area in the anterior frontal lobe called, and what is it responsible for? | The prefrontal cortex, and it is the brain's executive functioning center. It is the part of the brain that is believed to be responsible for reasoning and emotional control. Without the prefrontal cortex (or PFC), we would not be able to make long term plans, regulate our emotions, or consider consequences. |
What area of the brain allows us to move our muscles to produce speech? | Broca's area, which is located in the left frontal lobe in most right-handers |
The top of the motor cortex controls voluntary muscle movements in what area of the body? | feet and toes |
The bottom of the motor cortex controls voluntary muscle movements in what area of the body? | top of the body |
Fill in the blanks: Located in the parietal lobe behind the motor cortex, the __________ __________ receives touch sensations from the body. | sensory cortex | (somato-sensory cortex) |
Why is the area where vision is processed counterintuitive? | The processing of vision is located in the occipital lobe, which is at the very back of the brain, as far as possible from the eyes themselves. The left and right halves of the visual cortex process information from the same halves of the retinas (meaning processing is lateralized). |
Damage to what area of the temporal lobe would result in an inability to understand written or spoken language? | Wernicke's area |
What sensory modality is the temporal lobe responsible for processing? | hearing/audition Unlike vision, hearing is not lateralized. Sound coming in one ear is processed by both hemispheres of the brain. |
Explain brain plasticity. | As our brains develop, there are skills or functions that are more or less important to perform to each individual. Because of this, the neuronal connections in our brains strengthen or weaken to adapt to those needed functions, especially if there is damage to other areas of the brain. |
Why is the endocrine system important to the field of psychology? | The endocrine system secretes hormones that are part of our psychological processes. The adrenal glands secrete adrenaline, which is necessary for the fight-or-flight response of the autonomic nervous system Ovaries and testes produce testosterone and estrogen, hormones that can help explain gender differences, which are an important part of developmental psychology. |