13.7 Structure And Function Of The Brain Flashcards
What is the brain made up of
Billions of interconnected neurones and is responsible for controlling complex behvaiour
The brain has different regions that carry out different functions what do these region include
The cerebrum
The hypothalamus
The pituitary gland
The cerebellum
The medulla oblongata
The cerebrum
- largest part of brain
- controls voluntary actions (eg vision, hearing, memory)
- divided into two halves - joined by corpus callose
- thin outer layer - cerebral cortex
- beneath cerebral cortex is white matter
Cerebral cortex
- consists of cell bodies of neurons
- highly folded which increases its surface area and allows to contain a greater number of neurones
- more neuron’s = more connections between neurones
Important as more connections between neurones in the brain the greater ability of the brain to carry out more complex behaviours
The hypothalamus
- Found just above pituitary gland
- Monitors the blood as it is flowing thought it and in response releases hormones itself or stimulates pituitary gland to release retain hormones
Main functions include - regulating body temp
- osmoregulation
- regulating digestive activity
- controlling endocrine functions
Pituitary gland
- bottom of bran below hypothalamus
Produces range of hormones
Divided into two sections - anterior pituitary and posterior pituitary
Anterior pituitary function
Posterior pituitary function
Produces and releases certain hormones
Store and release hormones produced by the hypothalamus
The cerebellum
Lies below cerebrum
Control motor coordination
Functions only subconsciously
Medulla oblongata
Found at base of brain where it joins spinal cord
Contains three centres
- cardiac centre - heart rate
- vasomotor centre - control blood pressure by controlling contraction of smooth muscle
Respiratory centre - controls breathing rate
