Emma-Brain

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

Outline the parts and function of the four major parts of the brain: (1) cerebrum -largest portion of the brain in humans -where perception, imagination, thought, judgment, and decision occurs -last center to receive sensory input and carry out integration before commanding voluntary motor responses. -communicates and coordinates the activities of the other parts of the brain -(2) diencephalon -area where the hypothalamus and thalamus are found - encircles the third ventricle -pineal gland Hypothalamus: -helps maintain homeostasis by regulating hunger, sleep, thirst, body temperature, and water balance. -serves as a link between the nervous and endocrine system Thalamus: -receives sensory input except for smell -memory and emotions (3) cerebellum -lies under the occipital lobe of the cerebrum and is seperated from the brain stem by the fourth ventricle -receives sensory input from the eyes, ears, joints and muscles about the present position of body parts (4) brain stem. -contains the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata Midbrain: -relay station for tracts passing between the cerebrum and the spinal cord or cerebellum. -Also has reflex centers for visual, auditory, and tactile responses pons: -bundles of axons traveling between the cerebellum and the rest of the CNS -medulla oblongata: - contains a number of reflex centers for regulating heartbeat, breathing, and vasoconstriction (blood pressure). -reflex center for vomiting, coughing, sneezing, hiccuping, and swallowing -lies just superior to the spinal cord - (5) What is the function of the limbic system? -blends primitive emotions and higher mental functions into a united whole. -accounts for why eating and sexual behavior seem seem pleasurable and mental stress can cause high blood pressure (6) What limbic system structure is involved in the flight or fight reaction. Explain. -the amygdala creates the sensation of fear and if you are ever scared it will probably cause you to start running (7) What limbic system structure is involved in learning and memory. Explain. -hippocampus acts as an information gateway during the learning process, determining what information about the world is so to sent to memory, and how this information is to be encoded and stored by other regions of the brain. (8) Describe the various types of memory. -short term memory- lies right behind our forehead -long term memory- combination of semantic memory (numbers, words) and episodic (persons, events) -skill memory-independent of episodic memory... involved in performing motor activities like riding a bike or playing sports (9) What appear to be the roles of the left hemisphere of the cerebrum and the right hemisphere? -Left hemisphere is for verbal, logical, analytical and rational. Right hemisphere is for nonverbal, visuospatial, intuitive and creative -(10) What is Wernicke's area and Broca's area? -Wernicke's area-dorsal part of the temporal lobe helps us understand both written and spoken words and sends the information to broca's area -Broca's area-left frontal lobe adds grammatical refinement and directs the primary motor area to stimulate the appropriate muscles for speaking and writing