Module 4: Tools of Discovery and Older Brain Structures

reticular formation

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

hippocampus

a neural center located in the limbic system, helps process explicit memories for storage

hypothalamus

a neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and its linked to emotion and reward

fMRI (functional MRI)

a technique for revealing blood-flow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissues

PET (positron emission tomography)

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

4.6 A cat's ferocious response to electrical brain stimulation would lead you to suppose the electrode had touched the _____________________.

amygdala.

electroencephalogram (EEG)

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

4.5 Two parts of the limbic system are the amygdala and the a. cerebral hemispheres. b. hippocampus. c. thalamus. d. pituitary.

b. hippocampus.

4.7 The neural structure that most directly regulates eating, drinking and body temperature is the a. endocrine system. b. hypothalamus. c. hippocampus. d. amygdala.

b. hypothalamus.

4.1 The part of the brainstem that controls heartbeat and breathing is the a. cerebellum. b. medulla. c. cortex. d. thalamus.

b. medulla.

4.3 The lower brain structure that governs arousal is the a. spinal cord. b. cerebellum. c. reticular formation. d. medulla.

c. reticular formation.

4.4 The part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movement and enables nonverbal learning and memory is the ____________________.

cerebellum.

4.2 The thalamus functions as a a. memory bank. b. balance center. c. breathing regulator. d. sensory control center.

d. sensory control center.

4.8 The initial reward center discovered by Olds and Milner was located in the ___________________.

hypothalamus.

limbic system

neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives

cerebellum

the "little brain" at the rear of the brainstem; functions include processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory

thalamus

the brain's sensory control center, located on top of the brainstem; it directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

brainstem

the oldest part of the central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions

lesion

tissue destruction. A _______ _________ is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

amygdala

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