Structure and Function

Definition

Structure refers to the physical components and organization of an organism, while function refers to the processes and activities carried out by those components. In the context of the brain, structure refers to its anatomy, including different regions and their connections, whereas function refers to the various cognitive processes and behaviors it enables.

Related terms

Neuroimaging: Neuroimaging techniques are used to visualize brain structure or activity. It allows researchers to study both structural aspects (e.g., MRI scans for anatomical details) as well as functional aspects (e.g., fMRI scans showing brain activity during tasks).

Localization: Localization refers to the idea that specific functions or abilities are associated with particular areas or regions of the brain. For example, language processing is predominantly localized in Broca's area.

Plasticity:

Brain plasticity refers to its ability to change and adapt over time in response to experiences or injury. It involves reorganizing neural connections or even generating new neurons in certain circumstances.