AP Psychology Review: Day 2 Unit 3: The Brain and Nervous System

I. The Forebrain

A. The Corpus Callosum Connects the right/left hemispheres of the brain Allows impulses to pass from one side to another Mnemonic: The CorPLUS CalloSUM.

Sure learn for AP make test the to this!!! B. The Broca’s Area Sure learn for AP make test the to this!!! Formulates human speech abilities If damaged, you can understand others, but cannot create cogent speech Mnemonic: Broca’s speech is broken.

So you said, “Mr. Beach is going to raid my chest in two maze”. C. Wernicke’s Area So you said, “Mr. Beach is going to raid my chest in two maze”. Responsible for the comprehension of speech If damaged, a person might misunderstand what is being said to them Mnemonic: Wernicke’s comprehension is not worth a mention.

D. The Hippocampus Allows us to store and retrieve memories Damage to the Hippocampus will cause us to have difficulty storing and retrieving memories Mnemonic: If I saw a Hippo on Campus, I would never forget it.

E. Amygdala Controls our immediate fear responses Fight or Flight response Mnemonic: If you got attacked by a giant Awygdala, it will activate your Amygdala.

F. The Thalamus Relays and directs information from the other parts of the nervous system to the brain Also involved in decoding messages from the endocrine system Mnemonic: Hal and Amos directed the traffic.

G. The Hypothalamus Controls our hunger and thirst Also works with our endocrine system to regulate many of our metabolic processes Mnemonic: Hypo (dermic) the Llamas.

H. The Lobes (Acronym to Remember them)

I. The Occipital Lobe Allows us to perceive the encoded messages from our vision Damage to the Occipital lobe can our effect our vision Mnemonic: Octopus Sees a Tall Lobe.

J. The Parietal Lobe Helps to process information from our sensory systems Mnemonic: A Piranha ate all my lobes.

K. The Frontal Lobe The part of the brain where complex thinking occurs If damaged, many complex tasks can be lost Mnemonic: Einstein is knocking on your front door.

L. The Temporal Lobe Part of the cerebral cortex that perceives hearing Mnemonic: Tempo comes from Oral Music.

M. The Limbic System (Acronym for remembering) Midbrain Hypothalamus Amygdala Hippocampus Milgram Always Hugs Harlow Your Limbic System helps with memories and emotions

II. The Hindbrain

A. The Cerebellum Responsible for helping an individual maintain their balance Mnemonic: Maria balanced on a tightrope using Sarah’s bells.

B. The Pons Helps to regulate our ability to wake and to relax Mnemonic: I’m Chilling on a Pond with my magic wand.

C. The Reticular Formation The Reticular Formation helps us to stay motivated and alert Mnemonic: If you were tickled while sleeping you would quickly be alert.

D. The Medulla Helps to regulate the automatic activities within our heart and lungs Mnemonic: The distance runner won the medullas because he was in shape.

IV. Neurons (ACRONMY)

A. The Cerebellum Responsible for helping an individual maintain their balance Mnemonic: Maria balanced on a tightrope using Sarah’s bells.

B. The Pons Helps to regulate our ability to wake and to relax Mnemonic: I’m Chilling on a Pond with my magic wand.

C. The Reticular Formation The Reticular Formation helps us to stay motivated and alert Mnemonic: If you were tickled while sleeping you would quickly be alert.

D. The Medulla Helps to regulate the automatic activities within our heart and lungs Mnemonic: The distance runner won the medullas because he was in shape.

V. The Neurotransmitters hE’s SAD about his transmission breaking

A. Serotonin Helps to regulate our moods and feelings Low levels of serotonin have been linked with depression Mnemonic: Sir Rotten is always in a sad mood.

B. Acetylcholine Helps us to flex and regulate our muscle movements Mnemonic: Ace is tall and flexing his cool muscles.

C. Dopamine Kill Snow White Helps to regulate passing information through the Nervous System Low levels can cause Parkinson’s High Levels can cause Schizophrenia Mnemonic: Dopey is mean when he hears voices.

D. Endorphins Helps to block pain responses and produces an exercise high Mnemonic: The Ewoks on Endor run in fins.