The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system, controlling our thoughts, movements, and bodily functions. The spinal cord transmits signals between brain and body, while the brain's regions handle complex tasks like memory, emotions, and decision-making.
Modern imaging techniques allow us to peek inside the brain, revealing its structure and function. From CT scans to fMRI, these tools help psychologists understand how our brains work and how they change over time, shedding light on the neural basis of behavior and mental processes.
The Brain and Spinal Cord
Functions of the spinal cord
Top images from around the web for Functions of the spinal cord
Module 3: Spinal Cord and Reflexes – Anatomy 337 eReader View original
Is this image relevant?
Autonomic Reflexes and Homeostasis | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
Autonomic Reflexes and Homeostasis | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
Module 3: Spinal Cord and Reflexes – Anatomy 337 eReader View original
Is this image relevant?
Autonomic Reflexes and Homeostasis | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Functions of the spinal cord
Module 3: Spinal Cord and Reflexes – Anatomy 337 eReader View original
Is this image relevant?
Autonomic Reflexes and Homeostasis | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
Autonomic Reflexes and Homeostasis | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
Module 3: Spinal Cord and Reflexes – Anatomy 337 eReader View original
Is this image relevant?
Autonomic Reflexes and Homeostasis | Anatomy and Physiology I View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Transmits neural signals between the brain and body through ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) pathways
Serves as a reflex center for rapid, involuntary responses to stimuli (knee-jerk reflex, withdrawal reflex)
Integrates and processes sensory and motor information to coordinate simple movements, reflexes, and modulate sensory input before reaching the brain
Regions and roles of the brain
Hindbrain
Medulla oblongata regulates vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure
Pons acts as a relay station between the cerebral cortex and cerebellum and is involved in sleep and arousal
Cerebellum coordinates and fine-tunes motor movements and maintains balance and posture
Midbrain
Tectum processes visual and auditory information and controls orienting responses
Tegmentum is involved in motor control, arousal, and sleep regulation
Forebrain
Thalamus serves as a relay station for sensory and motor information and acts as a gateway to the cerebral cortex
Hypothalamus regulates homeostasis, emotions, and motivated behaviors (hunger, thirst, sexual drive)
Limbic system is involved in emotions, memory, and learning
Amygdala processes emotional responses, particularly fear and anxiety
Hippocampus is crucial for the formation and consolidation of new memories
Cerebral cortex is responsible for higher cognitive functions, perception, and voluntary movement
Frontal lobe handles executive functions, planning, decision-making, and motor control
Parietal lobe processes somatosensory information, spatial awareness, and attention
Temporal lobe is involved in auditory processing, language comprehension, and memory
Occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing and perception
The cerebral cortex is divided into two hemispheres, each specializing in different functions
Brain imaging techniques in psychology
Structural imaging techniques
Computerized Tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the brain, is quick and less expensive, but has limited resolution and exposes the patient to radiation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of brain structures with high spatial resolution and no radiation exposure, but is expensive and time-consuming
Functional imaging techniques
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) measures changes in blood flow and oxygenation in the brain during mental tasks, providing high spatial resolution and real-time brain activity, but is expensive and has a delay between neural activity and blood flow changes
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) uses radioactive tracers to measure metabolic activity or neurotransmitter levels in the brain, allowing the study of specific neurotransmitter systems and metabolic processes, but is invasive, expensive, and exposes participants to radiation
Electroencephalography (EEG) measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp, offering high temporal resolution and being non-invasive and relatively inexpensive, but has low spatial resolution and can only measure surface brain activity
Neural Communication
Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting information
Synapses are the junctions between neurons where information is passed from one neuron to another
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released at synapses to communicate between neurons
Brain plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience and learning
Key Terms to Review (30)
FMRI: fMRI, or functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a neuroimaging technique that measures the changes in blood oxygenation and flow in the brain, which are used as indirect indicators of neural activity. It is a powerful tool for studying the structure and function of the brain, and is widely used in the field of psychology to investigate cognitive processes and brain-behavior relationships.
Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that facilitate communication between neurons in the nervous system. They are released from the presynaptic neuron and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, triggering a response that can either excite or inhibit the target cell. Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in various psychological processes and behaviors, including cognition, emotion, and motor function.
Pons: The pons is a structure located in the brainstem, situated between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata. It serves as a critical relay station, facilitating communication between different regions of the brain and coordinating various functions, including sleep, respiration, and motor control.
Thalamus: The thalamus is a critical structure in the brain that serves as a relay station, transmitting sensory and motor information between various regions of the brain. It plays a crucial role in the brain's overall functioning, particularly in the context of the brain and spinal cord, as well as sleep and wakefulness.
Amygdala: The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. It is a key component in the processing and regulation of emotions, particularly fear and anxiety, as well as in the formation of memories associated with emotional events.
Temporal Lobe: The temporal lobe is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex in the human brain. It is responsible for processing and interpreting auditory information, as well as playing a key role in memory, language, and emotional processing.
Midbrain: The midbrain, also known as the mesencephalon, is a small but crucial structure located in the brainstem that serves as a relay station for various sensory and motor functions. It plays a vital role in connecting the forebrain to the hindbrain, facilitating the integration and coordination of diverse neural processes.
Tectum: The tectum is a structure located in the midbrain region of the brain, which is part of the brainstem. It serves as a key integration and relay center for various sensory and motor functions.
Tegmentum: The tegmentum is a region of the midbrain that serves as an important relay center for sensory and motor information. It is a crucial component of the brainstem and plays a vital role in various functions, including the regulation of sleep, arousal, and movement coordination.
Forebrain: The forebrain is the largest and most complex region of the brain, responsible for a wide range of functions including cognition, emotion, and sensory processing. It is the uppermost and anterior portion of the brain, encompassing structures critical for higher-order mental activities.
PET: PET, or Positron Emission Tomography, is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows for the visualization and measurement of various physiological processes within the body. It is particularly useful in the field of neuroscience, as it can provide insights into brain function and structure.
EEG: EEG, or electroencephalography, is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that measures the electrical activity of the brain. It records the brain's electrical signals through electrodes placed on the scalp, providing insights into brain function and neural activity.
Parietal Lobe: The parietal lobe is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex in the human brain. It is responsible for processing and integrating various sensory information, including touch, proprioception, and spatial awareness, which are crucial for our understanding of the physical world and our place within it.
Spinal Cord: The spinal cord is a long, cylindrical structure that extends from the base of the brain, called the medulla oblongata, down through the vertebral column. It serves as the main communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body, transmitting sensory information and motor commands.
Synapses: Synapses are the specialized junctions between neurons where information is transmitted from one cell to another. They are essential for the communication and coordination of the nervous system, enabling the transmission of electrical and chemical signals throughout the body.
Reflex: A reflex is an automatic, involuntary response to a specific stimulus that is mediated by the nervous system. It is a rapid, predictable, and stereotyped reaction that occurs without conscious thought or effort, serving to protect the body or maintain homeostasis.
Medulla Oblongata: The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem, located at the base of the brain. It is responsible for controlling many of the body's most vital functions, including respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Limbic System: The limbic system is a collection of interconnected structures located deep within the brain that play a crucial role in emotion, behavior, motivation, long-term memory, and olfaction. It is considered the emotional center of the brain and is responsible for our most basic drives and instincts.
Hippocampus: The hippocampus is a small, seahorse-shaped structure located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. It plays a crucial role in various cognitive functions, including memory formation, spatial navigation, and emotional processing. The hippocampus is a key component of the limbic system, which is involved in regulating mood, behavior, and other essential physiological processes.
Frontal Lobe: The frontal lobe is the largest of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex in the human brain. It is responsible for a variety of critical functions, including motor control, decision-making, problem-solving, and higher-order cognitive processes.
Cerebellum: The cerebellum is a region of the brain located at the back of the head, just above the brainstem. It is primarily responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, maintaining balance and posture, and contributing to certain cognitive functions.
Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is a small, but crucial part of the brain that acts as a control center, regulating essential bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. It plays a central role in the interconnected systems of the brain, endocrine system, and various physiological processes.
Cerebral Cortex: The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain. It is responsible for higher cognitive functions, such as information processing, decision-making, and consciousness.
Occipital Lobe: The occipital lobe is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex in the human brain. It is primarily responsible for processing and interpreting visual information, playing a crucial role in the visual system and visual perception.
Neurons: Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system, responsible for the transmission of electrical signals throughout the body. They are specialized cells that play a crucial role in the functioning of the Parts of the Nervous System and the Brain and Spinal Cord.
Hindbrain: The hindbrain is the lower and posterior portion of the brain, responsible for basic life functions such as respiration, heart rate, and reflexes. It is the most primitive and evolutionarily ancient part of the brain, shared with other vertebrates.
CT Scan: A CT (Computed Tomography) scan is a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the body. It is an important tool for diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions related to the brain and spinal cord.
MRI: MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of the body's internal structures. It is a powerful tool for diagnosing and monitoring various health conditions, particularly those related to the brain and spinal cord.
Hemispheres: Hemispheres refer to the two halves or divisions of the brain, specifically the cerebral hemispheres. These two distinct regions of the brain work together to control various functions and processes in the body.
Brain Plasticity: Brain plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity, refers to the brain's remarkable ability to adapt, change, and reorganize its structure and function in response to experience, learning, and environmental demands. This dynamic process allows the brain to modify its neural connections and pathways throughout an individual's lifespan, enabling the brain to compensate for injury and disease, as well as to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge.