The+Brain+JM

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 • Also called the telencephalon. It is the largest portion of the brain, and is the last center of the brain to receive input ad carry out integration. It communicates with other parts of the brain for other activities. (2) Diencephalon • An area that includes the third ventricle. The hypothalamus is the floor of the third ventricle. It helps maintain homeostasis by regulating hunger, sleep, thirst, body temp, and water balance. The thalamus is two masses of gray matter that is located on the sides of the roof of the third ventricle. It is the end of receiving all sensory input. (3) Cerebellum • Under that occipital lobe of the cerebrum and is separated by the brain stem in the forth ventricle. Two portions are in the cerebellum. It receives sensory input from the eyes, ears, joints and muscles. It also receives motor input. It sends motor impulses through out the body to the muscles and joints. (4) Brain stem. (Images helpful) • Midbrain acts as relay station for the tracts to cross. The pons contains bundles of axons between the cerebellum to help regulate breathing and the reflex centers. The medulla oblongata contains many reflex centers regulating breathing, the heartbeat, and blood pressure. The medulla oblongata lie beneath the spinal cord and contains tracts to the higher brain centers. •

(5) What is the function of the limbic system? • The function of the limbic system is to combine primitive emotions and higher mental functions into a united whole. (6) What limbic system structure is involved in the flight or fight reaction. Explain. • It is involved in the flight or fight reaction because it is used in the area and assess a certain situation and what to do in a moments notice. (7) What limbic system structure is involved in learning and memory. Explain. • The limbic system is invoved in learning and memory because the hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory and learning because it acts as a gateway during the learning process so you will retain that information that you are learning and make it a memory. (8) Describe the various types of memory. • Short term memory is when the memory lies in your frontal lob so you only remember that information for a short period of time. Long term memory is when information is memorized and retained for longer periods of time. Semantic memory is words and numbers while episodic memory is events or persons, such as visuals. Another type of memory is skill memory, which is involved in a motor action or activity. (9) What appear to be the roles of the left hemisphere of the cerebrum and the right hemisphere? • The roles of the left hemisphere are verbal, logical analytical and rational thinking. The roles of the right hemisphere are creative and non verbal thinking. (10) What is Wernicke's area and Broca's area? • Wernicke’s area is the part of the brain that is related to language and speech which Broca’s area is there so you can understand the talk and speech of someone else.