Biopsychology Flashcards

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1
Q

Define biopsychology.

A

The influence of our brain and body on our behaviour.

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2
Q

What is the hindbrain?

A

FIND ANSWER TO THIS.

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3
Q

What is the medulla, where is it found and what does it do?

A

It is found in the hindbrain: it is the first bit of the brain to appear from the spine and it contains spine to brain connection fibres.
Controls vital functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and respiration.

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4
Q

What is the pons, where is it found and what do it do?

A

Part of the brain that sits just forward of the medulla and acts as a bridge between the medulla and forebrain.
It inter grates bodily movements as well as influencing attention and arousal rates. E.g. Attention, alertness, sleep and respiration.

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5
Q

What is the cerebellum, where is it found and what does it do?

A

Part of the brain that sits just behind the pons.

It controls breathing reflexes and maintains balance.

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6
Q

What is the midbrain?

A

A very small part of the brain that is hard to isolate as a separate structure. It is messes entisols an extension of the hindbrain: connecting the spine to the forebrain. It’s main structure is the reticular formation.

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7
Q

What is the reticular formation and what does it do?

A

A tangle of nerve cells and fibres that ascend from the forebrain.
They mostly contain motor information so control movement.
They also control sleep and Hereford arousal and alertness.
Sensory information is sent from here to the cerebral cortex.

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8
Q

What is the forebrain?

A

FIND ANSWER TO THIS.

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9
Q

What is the diencephelon?

A

Part of brain containing the hypothalamus and thalamus. It is found in the forebrain.

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10
Q

What is the thalamus, where is it found and what does it do?

A

The thalamus is located in the diencephalon, near the centre of the brain and is made up of 2 egg shaped thalami.
It contains relay stations for sensory input except smell and sends messages to the cerebral cortex.

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11
Q

What is the hypothalamus, where is it located and what does it do?

A

A part of the brain located in the diencephalon which sits under the thalamus.
It regulates the sympathetic nervous system.
It also maintains homeostasis, e.g. Regulating temperature, fluids and sweating.

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12
Q

What is the telencephalon?

A

Cerebral hemispheres of the brain, found in the forebrain. These include the basal ganglia, limbic system and cerebrum.

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13
Q

What is the limbic system, where is it found and what does it do?

A

Part of the brain located near the boarder between the cerebrum and hindbrain.
It is a series of structures (hippocampus, amygdala and septum) which control emotion and behaviour.

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14
Q

Describe research into the amygdala.

A

Kulver and Bucy conducted research into monkeys.
They found that damage to the temporal lobe resulted in a lack of fear, inappropriate sexual behaviour and an inability to recognise items.
They were also tamer to handle.
Damage to the amygdala therefore calmed wild monkeys.

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15
Q

What is the basal ganglia, where is it found and what does it do?

A

An area of the brain found in the telencephalon which sits under the cerebral cortex.
Dopamine is made here.
It is also responsible for muscle movement and limb coordination.

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16
Q

What is the cerebrum, where is it found and what does it do?

A

A part of the brain found in the telencephalon (therefore found also in the hindbrain). It covers other parts of the brain and 75% of neuroms are located here.
It is divided into 2 cerebral hemispheres which are joined by the corpus callosum which relays messages between the hemispheres.
Each hemisphere is divided into 4 lobes: frontal, occipital, temporal and parietal.
The surface level of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex. It is the most evolved part of the brain.

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17
Q

Describe the fight or flight process.

A

1) The amygdala recognises stress related emotions (e.g. Panic or fear) and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus.
2) The hypothalamus releases the hormone CRH into the bloodstream.
3) The pituitary gland releases ATCH into the bloodstream.
4) The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for rapid actions.
5) The adrenal cortex releases cortisol and other stress related hormones into the bloodstream. This causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
6) The adrenal medulla realises adrenaline into the the bloodstream.
7) The feedback system monitors cortisol levels and inhibits ATCH and CRH levels if too high.
8) The parasympathetic nervous system dampens the response after the threat has passed.

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18
Q

What is acute stress?

A

FIND OUT ANSWER

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19
Q

Describe the process of acute stress.

A

1) The sympathetic nervous system sends a distress signal to the adrenal medulla.
2) The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline into the bloodstream. This causes increased breathing, blood pressure and heart rate so that glucose production and transportation is released.
3) After the threat passes the parasympathetic nervous system dampens the response.

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20
Q

What is chronic stress?

A

FIND OUT ANSWER.

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21
Q

Describe the process of chronic stress.

A

1) Ongoing stress causes the HPA axis to be activated by the hypothalamus.
2) The hypothalamus releases CRH into the bloodstream.
3) The CRH arrives at the pituitary gland where ATCH is released.
4) The ATCH arrives at the adrenal glands where the adrenal cortex releases cortisol.
5) The negative effects of cortisol include heart attacks due to strain on heart, lowered immune system and impaired cognitive responses.
6) The positive effects of cortisol include quick bursts of energy and low sensitivity to pain.

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22
Q

Where is the frontal lobe found?

A

In the upper and frontal area of the cerebral cortex.

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23
Q

Where is the occipital lobe found?

A

In the bottom of the brain in the back part of the cerebral cortex.

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24
Q

Where is the temporal lobe found?

A

Within the central, lower part of the cortex, behind the temples.

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25
Q

Where is the parietal lobe found?

A

In the upper, back part of the cerebral cortex.

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26
Q

What does the frontal lobe do?

A

🔹Deals with HIGHER COGNITIVE PROCESSES, e.g. Decision making, problem solving, thinking, paying attention.
🔹Also influences our personality, behaviour and emotions.
🔹The LH side is called the Broca’s area and is in charge of forming sentences.
🔹The RH side deals with creativity.

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27
Q

What does the occipital lobe do?

A

🔹Quickly processes and makes sense of visual information so that we can understand it.
🔹 Is in charge of our spatial awareness.
🔹 Contains the visual cortex.

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28
Q

What does the temporal lobe do?

A

🔹 Receives and processes different sounds, speech and pitches which are being transmitted from the ears so that ex can understand it.
🔹 High level auditory processing.
🔹 Contains primary auditory cortex.
🔹 Plays a part in understanding smell and hearing.
🔹 LH side is called Wernicke’s areas and plays a part in understanding language.

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29
Q

What does the parietal lobe do?

A

🔹 Processes sensory information such as taste, temperature and touch.
🔹 Plays a part in understanding movement.
🔹 Also processes language and mathematics.

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30
Q

What is the endocrine system?

A

FIND ANSWER TO THIS

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31
Q

What is the role of the pituitary gland?

A

It is the ‘master gland’ the primary function of which is to influence the release of hormones from other glands.

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32
Q

What is the role of the anterior pituitary gland and which hormones does it release?

A

To produce hormones which act on and target glands or cells. It produces ATCH, outright hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.

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33
Q

What is the role of the posterior pituitary gland and which hormones does it produce?

A

To produce hormones which act and target certain glands or cells. For example oxytocin. It decreases with age.

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34
Q

What does oxytocin do?

A

It influences life processes. For example it stimulates the contraction of the uterus during child birth, is important for mother and baby bonding, aids breast milk production and maintains health and repair.

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35
Q

What is ATCH?

A

A hormone produced in response to stress. It stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

36
Q

What does the lutei hormone do?

A

Stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen, progesterone and the testes to produce sperm and testosterone (all the hormones you need to know about).

37
Q

What are the adrenal glands?

A

Two glands; the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex that sit on top of the kidneys. They produce hormones that are necessary for life and are vital in response to stress.

38
Q

What is the adrenal cortex and which hormones does it produce?

A

A gland that produces the hormones necessary for life such as cortisol and aldosterone.

39
Q

What does cortisol do?

A

Regulates or supports a number of bodily functions such as cardio-vascular activity and anti-inflammatory functions.
If low, then blood pressure and poor immune system = a low ability to deal with stress.

40
Q

What does aldosterone do?

A

Maintains blood volume and pressure.

41
Q

What is the adrenal medulla and which hormones does it produce?

A

A gland which produces stress related hormones such as adrenaline and non-adrenaline.

42
Q

What do adrenaline and non-adrenaline do?

A

Adrenaline helps the body to respond to stressful situations by increasing breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure and flow and conversion of glycogen to glucose.

43
Q

What are the reproductive organs?

A

A system of sex organs which work together for the purpose of sexual reproductions. Many non-living substances such as fluids! hormones and pheromones are important.

44
Q

Where is testosterone produced and what does it do?

A

It is produced in the testes. It is important in the development of male characteristics. For example growing facial hair, sex drive, sperm production, overall health and muscle strength and puberty.

The hypothalamus instructs the pituitary on how much to produce.

45
Q

What are the ovaries and which hormones do they produce?

A

A two part reproductive system that produces egg cells. They also produce progesterone and oestrogen.

46
Q

What does oestrogen do?

A

It ripens the eggs for fertilisation.

47
Q

What does progesterone do?

A

It regulates the menstrual cycle and thickens the lining of the womb ready for after fertilisation.

48
Q

Define the human brain.

A

FIND ANSWER TO THIS.

48
Q

How did Darwin influence biopsychology?

A

He suggested that our behaviour was based on survival of the fittest and that this was the result of evolution of our genes.

49
Q

Define genotype.

A

A collection of genetic material that is passed on from generation to generation.

50
Q

Define phenotype.

A

The observable characteristics of am an individual that results from the genotype.

51
Q

What does the term heredity mean?

A

The passing of characteristics from one generation to the next.

52
Q

Define evolution.

A

The change over successive generations of the genetic make-up of a particular population.

53
Q

Describe the case study of Phineas Gage.

A

🔹Whilst at work an Amercian crowbar became wedged into his skull, damaging his frontal cortex.
🔹Once removed he fell into a semi-comatose state.
🔹Once he awoke, he fully recovered however his personality had changed: he had become very rude, irritable, unsociable and unpleasant.
🔹This case study tells psychologists that different parts of the brain are responsible for different things, the frontal cortex is involved in personality and social behaviour and that not all parts of the brain are vital for life.
🔹It supports research into cerebral function controlling our character and behaviour.

54
Q

What does the term meta-analysis mean?

A

A process in which a psychologist brings togetherness and analyses previous studies of the same aims to find an overall trend.

55
Q

Define the term concordance rate.

A

A term used in statistics to describe the rate of probability that 2 individuals will both have a certain characteristic give that one of the pair has the characteristic.

56
Q

What are monozygotic twins?

A

Twins that have developed from just one zygote that will then split and form 2 separate embryos. They share 100% genes.

57
Q

What are dizygotic twins?

A

Twins that develop from 2 different eggs; each are fertilised by 2 separate sperm cells. They share 50% of genes.

58
Q

Describe Rutter et al 1990 research.

A

A - To investigate criminal behaviour in twins.
P - Carried out a meta-analysis on twin studies on criminality.
F - Dizygotic twins have concordance rates of between 13 & 22% where as monozygotic twins have concordance rates of between 26 & 51%.
C - Sharing 50% genes results in concordance rates of 13 & 22%.
But Sharing 109% genes results in concordance rates of 26 & 51%.
Because this is not 100%, genes do not control our behaviours but do affect them. The rest must be sure to environmental factors.
- Rutter’s research suggests there is a link between genes and criminality. There are more criminal monozygotic twins than dizygotic because they share more genes (that cause criminal behaviour).

59
Q

What is a neuron?

A

🔹 A nerve cell which transports information throughout the nervous system.
🔹 Billions of them make up the nervous system.
🔹 Their membrane is a biochemical structure that allows the cell to conduct/transmit electrical activity called action potentials (nerve impulses).
🔹 Mammal neruons are covered in a mylein sheath (which are not found in primitive animals). It allows for electrical impulses to be quickly and efficiently transmitted along the cell.
🔹 There are gaps in the sheath called NODES OF RENVIER where the cell is exposed. Action potentials jump these gaps - this is called SALTATORY CONDUCTION. These are faster than normal transistors to allow for complex, cognitive functions.

60
Q

What is a motor neuron?

A

🔹A cell which carry signals from the central nervous system to organs, glands and muscles to help them function.
🔹 They contain dendrites, a cell body, an axon, a mylein sheath, nodes of ranvier, and axon terminals.

61
Q

What is a sensory neuron?

A

🔹A neuron cell which alert the brain about the external and internal environment by processing information taken from one of the 5 senses.
🔹 They contain a receptor cell, a mylein sheath, an axon and a cell body.

62
Q

What is a relay neuron?

A

🔹A cell which transports messages from one part of the central nervous system to another. They connect motor and sensory neurons.
🔹They contain a cell body, axon and pre-synaptic terminals.

63
Q

What is synaptic transmission?

A

The procces by which nerve impulses are carried across the small gap between nerve cells (the synapse) by chemicals called neurotransmitters. The nerve impulses are electrical signals.

64
Q

What does a pre-synaptic nerve ending include?

A

AXON, a TERMINAL BUTTON, in which is a SYNAPTIC VESTICLE containing NEURO-TRANSMITTERS, a SYNAPTIC CLEFT, NEUROTRANSMITTERS, RECEPTOR SITES (for the neurotransmitter to be received after being released across the cleft) and a DENDRITE or CELL BODY of receiving neuron.

65
Q

Describe the process of synaptic transmission.

A

1) An action potential reaches the terminal button of its nerve cell.
2) The action potential must cross the synaptic cleft, the gap between axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another.
3) At the end of an axon is a sac containing neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) called a synaptic vesticle.
4) Once an action potential has reached the synaptic vesicle, it releases a chemical in a process called exocytosis.
5) This causes neurotransmitters to diffuse across the synaptic cleft. They bind to the receptor sites of the receiving cell and activate the production of either excitatory or inhibitory effects.
6) This whole process takes a fraction of a second.

66
Q

What is a neuron?

A

🔹 A nerve cell which transports information throughout the nervous system.
🔹 Billions of them make up the nervous system.
🔹 Their membrane is a biochemical structure that allows the cell to conduct/transmit electrical activity called action potentials (nerve impulses).
🔹 Mammal neruons are covered in a mylein sheath (which are not found in primitive animals). It allows for electrical impulses to be quickly and efficiently transmitted along the cell.
🔹 There are gaps in the sheath called NODES OF RENVIER where the cell is exposed. Action potentials jump these gaps - this is called SALTATORY CONDUCTION. These are faster than normal transistors to allow for complex, cognitive functions.

67
Q

What is a motor neuron?

A

🔹A cell which carry signals from the central nervous system to organs, glands and muscles to help them function.
🔹 They contain dendrites, a cell body, an axon, a mylein sheath, nodes of ranvier, and axon terminals.

68
Q

What is a sensory neuron?

A

🔹A neuron cell which alerts the brain about the external and internal environment by processing information taken from one of the 5 senses.
🔹 They contain a receptor cell, a mylein sheath, an axon and a cell body.

69
Q

What is a relay neuron?

A

🔹A cell which transports messages from one part of the central nervous system to another. They connect motor and sensory neurons.
🔹They contain a cell body, axon and pre-synaptic terminals.

70
Q

What is synaptic transmission?

A

The procces by which nerve impulses are carried across the small gap between nerve cells (the synapse) by chemicals called neurotransmitters. The nerve impulses are electrical signals.

71
Q

What does a pre-synaptic nerve ending include?

A

AXON, a TERMINAL BUTTON, in which is a SYNAPTIC VESTICLE containing NEURO-TRANSMITTERS, a SYNAPTIC CLEFT, NEUROTRANSMITTERS, RECEPTOR SITES (for the neurotransmitter to be received after being released across the cleft) and a DENDRITE or CELL BODY of receiving neuron.

72
Q

Describe the process of synaptic transmission.

A

1) An action potential reaches the terminal button of its nerve cell.
2) The action potential must cross the synaptic cleft, the gap between axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another.
3) At the end of an axon is a sac containing neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) called a synaptic vesticle.
4) Once an action potential has reached the synaptic vesicle, it releases a chemical in a process called exocytosis.
5) This causes neurotransmitters to diffuse across the synaptic cleft. They bind to the receptor sites of the receiving cell and activate the production of either excitatory or inhibitory effects.
6) This whole process takes a fraction of a second.

73
Q

Why does neurotransmission work like a lock and key system?

A

🔹 Only certain neurotransmitters can unlock a message in certain receptors in the post-synaptic neuron.
⬇️
🔹 When the right neurotransmitter meets the right receptor, a specific ion channel in the membrane is opened up.
⬇️
🔹 Ions flows through the membrane into the neuron along their specific pathways.

🔹 This flooding of ions can cause a ‘potential’ in the dendrite which is either excitatory or inhibitory.

73
Q

What is exocytosis?

A

The transport of material out of a cell by means of a sac or vesicle that first engulfs the material and then is extruded through an opening in the cell membrane.

74
Q

What is an excitatory potential?

A

A receptor that makes it more likely for the neuron to fire and so if a synapse is more likely to cause the post-synaptic neuron to fire it is called an excitatory synapse.

75
Q

What is an inhibitory potential?

A

A receptor that makes it less likely for the neuron to fire and so if a message is likely to be stopped at the post-synaptic neuron to fire it is called an inhibitory synapse.

76
Q

Evaluate the fight-or-flight response.

A

✅ - Von Dawans et al (2012) found that stress can lead to greater cooperation and friendlier behaviour between both men and women, for the protection of social relationships. This disproves he idea of low generalisability and gender bias within the flight or flight response theory.
✅ - Application to real life - e.g. Drugs have been used to treat depression - can help to treat mentally ill people.
✅ - Is reliable + objective - has supporting empirical evidence that have been gathered by empirical evidence - e.g. Lee and Harley (2012) conducted genetic investigation in a laboratory environment.

❌ - Androcentric - e.g. Lee and Harley (2012) found a genetic basis for gender differences in the fight or flight response. They found that the SRY gene is only present in the male Y chromosomes promotes aggression and primes them for the fight or flight response. The absence of this gene in women alongside the secretion of oxytocin prevents them in engaging in the same response - LOW GENERALISABILITY.
❌ - REDUCTIONIST - Gray (1988) found people are likely to have a ‘freeze response’ when faced with stress to allow for the individual to be hyper vigilant to threats, not to avoid confrontation - this suggests that different people behave differently and ignores other responses such as biological ones - INVALID.
❌ - LOW HISTORICAL VALIDITY - stressor of modern day life rarely require the physical activity that the fight or flight prepares the body for - LOW APPLICATION TO REAL LIFE - such activities can be counterproductive and cause long-term damage such as heart-disease.
❌ - ANDROCENTRIC - Taylor (2000) found that women are more likely to respond to stressful situations by ‘tending and befriending’ - this is due to their evolutionary role as a main care giver because fleeing a situation would leave their offspring in danger - LOW GENERALISABILITY - as it only focuses on women.
❌ - COMPARATIVE AND REDUCTIONIST - e.g. Riley found that the release of oxytocin in rats increases relaxation rates and decreases stress responses that are characteristics of fight or flight - LOW GENERALISABILITY.

77
Q

What is the peripheral nervous system?

A

A system that includes all of the nervous system throughout the body. It contains both sensory and motor neurons.
🔹 The CNS to the rest of the body = motor neurons.
🔹 The rest of the body to the CNS = sensory neurons.

78
Q

Which 2 parts make up the peripheral nervous system?

A

The somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. Bon both systems control the same organs but have opposite effects.

79
Q

What does the somatic nervous system contain/do?

A

🔹 Transmits information to and from SENSES and to and from CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
🔹 Controls REFLEX ACTIONS - quick actions without the use of CNS.
🔹 Contains…SENSORY (afferent) PATHWAY + MOTOR (efferent) PATHWAY.

80
Q

What does the autonomic nervous system contain/do?

A

🔹 Transmits information to and from internal organs to sustain life processes/controls vital bodily functions.
🔹 Controls unconscious actions.
🔹 Contains SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM - produces NORADRENALINE - stimulating effects/GENERALLY INCREASES BODILY ACTIVITIES.
🔹 Contains PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM - produces ACETYLCHOLINE - inhibiting effects/ relaxes body after an emergency e.g. Slows blood pressure and heart rate/ GENERALLY MAINTAINS OR DECREASES BODILY ACTIVITIES.

81
Q

What is the central nervous system and what does it contain?

A

A system that comprises of the brain and spinal cord.

82
Q

What does the spinal cord do?

A

🔹 Contains a circuit of nerve cells that enable us to perform some simple reflexes without the direct involvement of the brain, e.g. The startle response.
🔹 Facilitates the the transferral of messages from the brain to the peripheral nervous system/relays information between brain and rest of the body.
🔹 The spinal cord is a pair of spinal nerves that connect with specific muscles and glands.

83
Q

What does the brain contain and what does it do?

A

🔹 Is involved in psychological processes and it’s main job is to se sure life is maintained.
🔹 Cerebellum - frontal lobe - Broca’s area - forming sentences, speech, thought, higher cognitive processes, behaviour, emotion, personality, creativity regulating bodily processes and coordinating movement.
- Occipital lobe - visual cortex, spatial awareness, processing visual information.
- Parietal lobe - senses except smell, movement, language and mathematics.
- Temporal lobe - primary auditory cortex, processes auditory information, senses = hearing and smell, LH side = Wernicke’s areas - understanding language.
🔹Cerebrum - breathing reflexes and balance.
🔹Diencephalon - Thalamus - sends messages to cerebral cortex, contains relay stations for sensory input except smell.
- Hypothalamus - homeostasis, controls pituitary glands, link between endocrine and nervous system, regulates sympathetic nervousness system.
🔹Brain stem - regulates automatic functions essential for life e.g. Heartbeat.