The brain and neuropsychology

• How is the human brain divided?

  Into two halves known as hemispheres
• What is the upper part of the brain called?

  Cerebrum
• What is the function of the cortex in the brain?

  Increases surface area for more nerve cells
• What are the bumps on the brain's surface called?

  Gyri
• What are the creases on the brain's surface called?

  Sulci
• Why does the human brain have a large surface area?

  To accommodate more nerve cells
• How does the brain communicate with the body?

  Through the spinal cord
• What role does the brainstem play?

  Controls reflexes and communication with the spinal cord
• What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

  Decision-making and impulse control
• Where is the motor cortex located?

  At the back of the frontal lobe
• What does the motor cortex control?

  Voluntary movements that require thought
• If someone wants to kick a ball, which part of the brain is involved?

  Motor cortex
• What is the primary function of the temporal lobe?

  Hearing and understanding sounds
• What does the auditory cortex control?

  Hearing
• What is the main function of the parietal lobe?

  Understanding the world around us
• What is the somatosensory cortex responsible for?

  Our sense of touch
• What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

  Processing visual information
• What is another name for the occipital lobe?

  Visual cortex
• What does the cerebellum control?

  Movement, coordination, and balance
• How does the cerebellum help when running and encountering an obstacle?

  Coordinates behavior to avoid the object
• What does lateralisation of function mean?

  Each hemisphere has different roles
• How do the two hemispheres of the brain differ?

  They have asymmetrical functions
• Which side of the brain controls the left side of the body?

  Right side of the brain
• What connects the left and right hemispheres?

  Corpus callosum
• What is the role of the corpus callosum?

  Allows communication between hemispheres
• What is the primary function of the left hemisphere?

  Processing of language
• What does Broca's area control?

  Production of speech
• What happens if Broca's area is damaged?

  Difficulty in producing speech
• What is the primary function of the right hemisphere?

  Spatial awareness and creativity
• What does the right hemisphere help with?

  Recognizing and perceiving faces
• What is the role of the central nervous system (CNS)?

  Helps brain and body communicate
• What does the CNS consist of?

  Brain and spinal cord
• How do sensory nerves function in the CNS?

  Send messages to the brain via spinal cord
• What do neurotransmitters do?

  Help pass messages between neurons
• What is dopamine's role?

  Attention and learning
• What happens with low levels of serotonin?

  Can lead to feelings of depression
• What role does GABA play?

  Calms us down during stress
• What is synaptic transmission?

  Process of passing messages between neurons
• What are synapses?

  Tiny gaps between neurons
• What triggers an electrical impulse in a neuron?

  Stimulus received by the neuron