Pituitary gland

Gland located in the brain that secretes human growth hormones and influences all other hormones-seceting glands

Cerebellum

Part of the lower brain located behind the pond that controls and coordinates involuntary, rapid, fine motor movement

White matter

Is made up of a large network of nerve fibers (axons) in your brain that allows the exchange of info and communication between different areas of your brain

Temporal lobe

It forms the cerebral cortex in conjunction with the occipital, parietal, and frontal lobe

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer that lies on top of the cerebrum

Parietal lobe

Sections of the brain located at the top and the back of each cerebral hemisphere containing the centers for touch, taste, and temperature sensations

Hippocampus

Curved structure located within each tempors lobe, responsible for the formation of long term memories and the storage of memory location of objects

Grey matter

A type of tissue in your brain and spinal cord that plays a crucial role in allowing you to function normally day to day

Motor control

The process of initiating, directing, and grading purposeful voluntary movement

Mammillary body

Is a recollective memory

Limbic system

A group of several brain structures located under the cortex and involved in learning, emotion, memory, and motivation

Glial cell

A type of cell that provides physical and chemical support neurons and maintain their environment

Frontal lobe

Area of the cortex located in the front and top of the brain, responsible for higher mental processes and decision making, as well as the protection of fluent speech

Corpus callosum

Thick band of neurons that connects the right and left cerebral hemisphere

Occipital lobe

Section of the brain located at the rear and bottom of each cerebral hemisphere containing the visual centers of the brain

Deep leisoning

Insertion of a thin, insulated wire into the brain through which an electrical current is sent that destroys the brain cells at the tip of the wire

Computed tomography (CT)

Brain-imaging method using computer-contolled X-rays of the brain

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Brain-imaging method using radio waves and magnetic fields of the body to produce detailed images of the brain

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Brain-imaging method in which a radioactive sugar is injected into the subject, and a computer complies a color coded image of the activity of the brain, with lighter color indicating more activity

Functional MRI (fMRI)

A type of MRI scan that can show which areas of your brain are most active

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

A test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the skull

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections EX. Response to learning, experience or following injury

Stem cells

Cells with potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body

Medulla

The inner region of the organ or tissue, especially when it is distinguishable from the outer region or cortex (as in kidney, and adrenal gland, or hair)

Pons

The part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus

Reticular formation (RF)

A complex network of brainstem nuclei and neurons that serve as a major integration and relay center for many vital brain systems to coordinate functions necessary for survival

Thalamus

A paired grey matter structure of the diencephalon located near the center of the brain

Hypothalamus

Coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temp, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional activity

Homeostasis

The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements

Amygdala

Region of the brain primarily associated with emotional processes

Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebrum composed of folded grey matter and playing an important role in the consciousness

Cerebral hemispheres

Controls the somatosensory, motor, language, cognitive thout, memory, emotions, hearing, and vision

Somatosensory cortex

It detects sensory info from the body regarding temp, proprioception, touch, texture, and pain

Motor cortex

Plan and create electrical impulses that cause voluntary muscle contractions

Association areas

Parts of the cerebral cortex that receive inputs from multiple areas

Nature

Genetic influence an individual's personality

Nuture

How the environment impacts their development

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

The fundamental and distinctive characteristics or qualities of someone or something

Gene

A unit of heredity which is transferred from parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring

Chromosome

A thread like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus, carrying genetic info in the form of genes

Dominant

The relationship of two versions of a gene also called allele

Recessive

The relationship between two versions of a gene but is masked a dominant allele

Predisposition

The state of being likely to behave in a particular way or to suffer from a particular disease

Evolution

The gradual development of an organism overtime

Natural selection

The process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change