DH+brain+homework

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) 1. The cerebrum is the largest portion of the brain in humans. The cerebrum is the last center to receive sensory input and carry out integration before commanding voluntary motor responses. It communicates with and coordinates the activities of the other parts of the brain.



2. The diencephalon is a region that encircles the third ventricle.



3. The cerebellum lies under the occipital lobe of the cerebrum and is separated from the brain stem by the fourth ventricle. The cerebellum has two portions that are joined by a narrow median portion. The cerebellum receives sensory input from the eyes, ears, joints, and muscles about the present position of body parts, and it also receives motor output from the cerebral cortex about where these parts should be located.

4. The brain stem contains the mid-brain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. (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 limbic system blends primitive emotions and higher mental functions into a united whole. It accounts for why activities such as sexual behariov and eating seem pleasurable also why, say, mental stress can cause high blood pressure.
 * The amygdala is involved in the flight or fight reaction. "The amygdala...creates the sensation of fear. This center can use past knowledge fed to it by association areas to assess a current situation and, if necessary, trigger the fight-or-flight reaction.
 * The hippocampus is the limbic system structure that is involved in learning and memory. "The hippocampal region acts as an information gateway during the learning process, determining what information about the world is to be sent to memory, and how this information is to be encoded and stored by other regions in the brain.
 * Short-term memory
 * the part of the brain that can hold information for a short period of time
 * Long-term memory
 * the part of the brain that can store information for years at a time ie. your address, phone numbers, your name...etc,.
 * Semantic memory
 * the part of your memory that is responsible for numbers, words, etc.
 * Episodic memory
 * the part of your memory that is responsible for persons, events, etc.
 * Skill memory
 * involved in performing motor activities such as riding a bike or playing ice hockey. Once the skill is perfected, it's hard to forget.
 * LEFT
 * Verbal
 * Logical, analytical
 * Rational
 * RIGHT
 * nonverbal, visuospatial
 * intuitive
 * creative
 * Werincke's area is located in the dorsal part of the left temporal love, and Broca's area is located in the left frontal lobe.