NN+Brain+HW

The Brain Homework (using the book) p.256 to 261.

Outline the parts and function of the four major parts of the brain: (1) cerebrum, (2) diencephalon, (3) cerebellum, (4) brain stem. (Images helpful) (5) What is the function of the limbic system? (6) What limbic system structure is involved in the flight or fight reaction. Explain. (7) What limbic system structure is involved in learning and memory. Explain. (8) Describe the various types of memory. (9) What appear to be the roles of the left hemisphere of the cerebrum and the right hemisphere? (10) What is Wernicke's area and Broca's area?
 * The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and it receives sensory input and it commands voluntary motor responses. The next part of the brain is the diencphalon. This part of the brain circles the third ventricle and maintains homeostasis. The cerebellum is under the occipital lobe of the cerebrum. The cerebellum has two main parts joined by a "narrow median portion." The function of the cerebellum is to coordinate the signals from the eyes, ears, joints, and muscles.
 * It mixes the primitive emotions and our higher brain functions, regulating emotions, sexual behavior, and other feelings.
 * The amygdala creates the fight-or-flight sensation by taking past experiences and determining whether a current situation is worthy of becoming fearful, and then triggering the reaction.
 * The hippocampus decides which pieces of information are sent to memory, or simply discarded.
 * Short-Term Memory: When a person remembers something for a short period of time. This form of memory is dorsal of the forehead
 * Long-Term Memory: When a person stores something to remembered a long time from the present. This is generally a mixture of episodic memory ("persons, events, ect.") and semantic memory ("numbers, words, ect.").
 * Skill Memory: also "muscle memory." This type of memory is where a person develops a skill and goes from having to think about what they are doing to doing it automatically.
 * Left Hemisphere: deals more with logic, organization, and detail. In short, "facts rule."
 * Right Hemisphere: is the part of the brain that is more creative and abstract.
 * Wernicke's area controls the comprehension of speech and language. Broca's are controls the speaking and writing functions. Damage to either of these areas can lead to an inability to perform any of their functions.