Brain Flashcards
Hindbrain
1st in note, oldest part according to evolutionist
primitive part of brain.
provides basic life support.
control basic processes as respiration, heart rate, and the coordination of muscle movements.
damage here seriously affect organism to survive.
pons and medulla (parts of Hindbrain) hint: involuntary
associate with control of heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and reflexes.
pons
the bridge between spinal cord and brain
Frontal lobe
located in front of parietal lobe. Responsible for reasoning, logic and speech production.
reticular formation (part of Hindbrain)
a network of neurons and nerves. Linked to control of general arousal, sleep, and consciousness.
Cerebellum (called small version of brain)
involved in preparation of COMPLEX MOTOR MOVEMENTS such as play piano, gulf, etc. located at base of brain.
Midbrain
Middle portion of brain.
Receives input from multiple sources
(like sense organs).
Superior to Hindbrain.
superior & inferior colliculus (parts of Midbrain)
relay stations for visual and auditory information. It help coordinate reactions to sensory events in environment.
Substantia nigra
group of neurons in Midbrain. Release dopamines.
Forebrain
outer portion of the brain, including the cerebral cortex and the structures of the limbic system.
Cerebral cortex
outer layer of brain. Considered as seat of higher mental processes. 80% of total brain volume of human.
Thalamus (in Forebrain)
important gathering point for input of senses.
Located beneath cerebral cortex.
Hypothalamus
important in motivation; regulation of eating, drinking, and sexual behavior. Located just below thalamus.
Limbic system
a system of structures thought to be involved in motivational and emotional behaviors(the amygdala) and memory(the hippocampus).
amygdala (means almond in Greek; part of Limbic system)
a small, almond shaped piece.
Linked to number of motivational and emotional behaviors(including fear, aggression, and defensive actions).
people with damaged amygdala sometimes have difficulties in . . .
recognizing emotions like sadness in facial expressions.
hippocampus (means seahorse in Greek; part of Limbic system)
important for formation of memories(personal events).
people with severely damaged hippocampus would not be able to . . .
remember almost nothing new.
Cerebral cortex (divided into left & right hemispheres)
Higher mental processes (thoughts, sense of self, ability to reason, solving problems.)
each hemispheres of Cerebral cortex is divided into FOUR lobes . . .
frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital.
Frontal lobes (largest lobe)
In charge of planning and coordinating voluntary behavior and decision making.
damage in Frontal lobe can lead to . . .
withdrawal from social world, ignoring of friends and relatives, and a refusal to do much of anything.
Frontal lobes contain Mortor Cortex, which controls . .
Mortor cortex controls voluntary muscle movements, as well as areas involved in language production.
(portion of Mortor cortex) Broca’s area
involved in speech production
(portion of Mortor cortex) mirror neurons
may play important role in empathy and our ability to take the perspectives of others.
Parietal lobe
involved in processing auditory information received from ears.
Located roughly on top middle portion of the brain.
(region in Temporal lobe) Wernicke’s area
involved in language comprehension (understanding)
damage to Wernicke’s area . . .
not able to understand words. but still able to repeat a spoken sentence perfectly.
Occipital lobe
most visual processing occurs. Located far back in brain.
