A2 The Human Brain Flashcards
How is the brain formed?
The anterior part of the neural tube expands to form the brain, and the rest of the neural tube becomes the spinal cord.
Cerebellum…
controlls voluntary actions that work like reflexes, often to do with balance and coordination
Corpus Callosum…
connects the 2 hemispheres of the brain
Medulla Oblongata/Brainstem….
automatic reflexes, involuntary responses
Hypothalamus…
controls homeostasis, like shivering, sweating, secreting insulin….
Pituitary Gland…
secretes hormones, like LH and FSH or ADH
The cerebral hemisphere is made of which 4 lobes? What are these lobes for and where are they?
Frontal lobe: logic, memory, attention
Temporal lobe (starts at front and goes along the sides): language, memory, auditory processing
Occipital lobe (back): visual processing
Parietal lobe: touch perception (above occipital, top-back)
How can the different functions of the different brain parts be identified?
Lesions, autopsy, animal experiments, and fMRI
What is Broca’s Area? Where is it?
It is in the frontal lobe, only in the left cerebral hemisphere and it is where speech production occurs
What is the Nucleus Accumbens?
It is in both hemispheres and is responsible for the reward pathway, by secreting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin
What is different between the cerebral cortex of humans and of other animals?
In humans, it is much more developed and there are more neurons.
How is the cerebral cortex enlarged and still fits into the cranium?
It has many infoldings.
By which hemisphere are muscle contractions on the right side of the body controlled?
The left hemisphere
What does the autonomic nervous system control and via which brain part?
Involuntary movements/ reflexes, via the brainstem/medulla oblongata
How can you check for brain death?
Pupil reflexes are tested, as they are controlled by the autonomic nervous system
