2.3 Brain

Question 1

Medulla

Answer 1

Forms marrow or core of brainstem. Lies closest to spinal cord. Controls vital processes like heart rate and breathing, reflexes such as swallowing, coughing and sneezing.

Question 2

Pons

Answer 2

Above the medulla, helps regulate sleep and wakefulness. In the hindbrain. Transfers info from spinal chord and hindbrain through midbrain and into forebrain.

Question 3

Brainstem

Answer 3

The stalk in the lower part of the brain. That connects the spinal chord to higher regions of the brain.

Question 4

Cerebellum

Answer 4

Balance and coordination. Located behind pons. Damage to this can inhibit voluntary movements.

Question 5

Midbrain

Answer 5

Above the hindbrain and below forebrain. Contains reticular formation.

Question 6

Reticular formation

Answer 6

Weblike formation of neurons form the hindbrain to the thalamus in the forebrain. Regulates attention, alertness and arousal. It screens audio and visual information, processes the important information to a higher point in the brain, even when asleep.

Question 7

Forebrain

Answer 7

Top and largest part of the brain. Contains thalamus, hypothalamus , limbic system and cerebral cortex.

Question 8

Thalamus

Answer 8

Relay station. Egg shaped. Route sensory information touch, vision, hearing and taste not smell to cerebral cortex. Sends info to correct parts of cortex. Important role in sleep and wakefulness. Receives input form basal ganglia.

Question 9

Basal ganglia

Answer 9

Assemblage of neurons lying in the forebrain that is important in controlling movement and coordination.

Question 10

Hypothalamus

Answer 10

Beneath the thalamus “hypo” pea sized weighs 4 grams. Regulates hunger, thirst, daily sleeps cycles, body tempt, stress response, reproductive process, emotional states, aggressive behavior. Part of endocrine system, triggers release of hormones in body.

Question 11

Limbic system

Answer 11

Interconnected structures include amygdala, hippocampus, parts of thalamus and hypothalamus and nearby structures. Important in memory and emotional process.

Question 12

Amygdala

Answer 12

Two almond shaped structures. In limbic system. Triggers fear.

Question 13

Hippocampus

Answer 13

Resembles seahorse. Behind the amygdala. It plays a role in forming new memories.

Question 14

Cerebral cortex

Answer 14

Wrinkles outer layer of grey matter that covers the cerebral hemispheres. Controls higher mental functions such as language and thought voluntary movement, motivation, emotional arousal . Processes sensory info. 1/8 inch thick as a napkin. %80 of brain mass.

Question 15

Cerebrum

Answer 15

Largest mass of the forebrain containing two cerebral hemispheres

Question 16

Cerebral hemispheres

Answer 16

Right and left parts of the brain connected by the corpus callosum.

Question 17

Corpus callosum

Answer 17

Thick bunked of nerves that connect both hemispheres of the cerebrum.

Question 18

Occipital lobes

Answer 18

Back of head, process visual info. Helps us recognize peoples faces. Blows to the back of head can stimulate this and they see stars.

Question 19

Parietal lobes

Answer 19

Sides of brain above and in front of occipital lobe. Process bodily sensations. Front contains somatosensory cortex.

Question 20

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 20

Receive sensory information from skin such as touch, pressure, temp, pain. Also gets info from muscles and joints to know what position or body is in.

Question 21

Frontal lobes

Answer 21

The parts of the cerebral cortex located the the front of the cerebral hemispheres that are considered the executive center of the brain because their role in higher mental function. Makes you, you.

Question 22

Motor cortex

Answer 22

A region of the frontal lobes involved in regulating body movement.

Question 23

Mirror neurons

Answer 23

Neurons that fire both when an action is performed and when the same action is merely observed.

Question 24

Temporal lobes

Answer 24

The parts of the cerebral cortex lying beneath and somewhat behind the frontal lobes that are involved in processing auditory info.

Question 25

Association areas

Answer 25

Areas of the cerebral cortex that pieces together sensory info. To form meaningful perceptions of the world and perform higher mental functions.

Question 26

Hindbrain

Answer 26

Oldest part of the brain evolutionary terms. Contains the medulla, pons, and cerebellum. Controls basic life support like breathing and heart rate.