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REVIEW Tools of Discovery and Older Brain Structures

Learning Objectives

Test Yourself by taking a moment to answer each of these Learning Objective Questions (repeated here from within the module). Research suggests that trying to answer these questions on your own will improve your long-term memory of the concepts (McDaniel et al., 2009).

Question

4-1 How do neuroscientists study the brain's connections to behavior and mind?
ANSWER: Clinical observations and lesioning reveal the general effects of brain damage. Electrical, chemical, or magnetic stimulation can also reveal aspects of information processing in the brain. MRI scans show anatomy. EEG, PET, and fMRI (functional MRI) recordings reveal brain function.

Question

4-2 What structures make up the brainstem, and what are the functions of the brainstem, thalamus, reticular formation, and cerebellum?
ANSWER: The brainstem, the oldest part of the brain, is responsible for automatic survival functions. Its components are the medulla (which controls heartbeat and breathing), the pons (which helps coordinate movements and control sleep), and the reticular formation (which affects arousal). The thalamus, sitting above the brainstem, acts as the brain's sensory control center. The cerebellum, attached to the rear of the brainstem, enables nonverbal learning and skill memory, helps coordinates muscle movement and balance, and also helps process sensory information.

Question

4-3 What are the limbic system's structures and functions?
ANSWER: The limbic system is linked to emotions, memory, and drives. Its neural centers include the amygdala (involved in responses of aggression and fear); the hypothalamus (involved in various bodily maintenance functions, pleasurable rewards, and the control of the endocrine system); and the hippocampus (which processes conscious memories). The hypothalamus also controls the pituitary (the “master gland”) by stimulating it to trigger the release of hormones.

Terms and Concepts to Remember

Test yourself on these terms.

Question

lesion (LEE-zhuhn) (p. 48)
electroencephalogram (EEG) (p. 48)
PET (positron emission tomography) scan (p. 48)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) (p. 49)
fMRI (functional MRI) (p. 49)
brainstem (p. 50)
medulla (muh-DUL-uh) (p. 50)
thalamus (THAL-uh-muss) (p. 51)
reticular formation (p. 52)
cerebellum (sehr-uh-BELL-um) (p. 52)
limbic system (p. 52)
amygdala (uh-MIG-duh-la) (p. 52)
hypothalamus (hi-po-THAL-uh-muss) (p. 53)
hippocampus (p. 54)
an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brain's surface. These waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. MRI scans show brain anatomy.
a technique for revealing bloodflow and, therefore, brain activity by comparing successive MRI scans. fMRI scans show brain function as well as structure.
a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.
neural system (including the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives.
the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.
a neural center located in the limbic system; helps process explicit memories for storage.
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.
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.
two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system; linked to emotion.
the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing.
a nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal.
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.
tissue destruction. A brain lesion is a naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue.

Experience the Testing Effect

Test yourself repeatedly throughout your studies. This will not only help you figure out what you know and don’t know; the testing itself will help you learn and remember the information more effectively thanks to the testing effect.

Question 2.11

1. The part of the brainstem that controls heartbeat and breathing is the

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B.
C.
D.

Question 2.12

2. The thalamus functions as a

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B.
C.
D.

Question 2.13

3. The lower brain structure that governs arousal is the

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B.
C.
D.

Question 2.14

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

Question 2.15

5. Two parts of the limbic system are the amygdala and the

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B.
C.
D.

Question 2.16

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

Question 2.17

7. The neural structure that most directly regulates eating, drinking, and body temperature is the

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B.
C.
D.

Question 2.18

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

Use image to create your personalized study plan, which will direct you to the resources that will help you most in image .

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