Brain

Question 1

What makes up the central nervous system in the human body?

Answer 1

The brain and spinal cord.

Question 2

What are the three main divisions of all vertebrate brains?

Answer 2

The forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain.

Question 3

What does the hindbrain develop into?

Answer 3

The medulla oblongata, the pons, and the cerebellum.

Question 4

What functions does the medulla regulate?

Answer 4

Breathing, digestion, heart rate, and vasoconstriction/dilation (blood pressure).

Question 5

What functions does the cerebellum control?

Answer 5

Balance, coordination, voluntary skeletal muscle movement, and fine motor control.

Question 6

What is the function of the pons?

Answer 6

The pons connects the cerebellum to the medulla.

Question 7

What does the brainstem consist of?

Answer 7

The medulla, pons, and midbrain.

Question 8

What functions does the midbrain perform?

Answer 8

It processes visual and auditory signals and helps regulate sleep.

Question 9

What does the forebrain develop into?

Answer 9

The cerebrum.

Question 10

What is the cerebrum and what does it control?

Answer 10

The cerebrum is the largest and most developed part of the brain, controlling most sensory and motor activities.

Question 11

What is the cerebral cortex and what does it consist of?

Answer 11

The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the cerebrum, composed of the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe.

Question 12

What is grey matter and what is its function?

Answer 12

Grey matter consists of neuron cell bodies and dendrites, where “thinking” is done.

Question 13

What is white matter and what is its function?

Answer 13

A: White matter consists of myelinated axons of neurons, acting as the “highways” of the brain where action potentials are relayed.

Question 14

What does the folding of the cerebrum (gyrification) relate to?

Answer 14

It is related to higher brain functions.

Question 15

What do the gyri (folds) in the brain do?

Answer 15

They increase surface area, allowing space for more neurons and reducing travel time for electrical impulses.

Question 16

What functions does the frontal lobe control?

Answer 16

The frontal lobe controls motor functions, expressive language, and executive functions (like decision-making and planning) in the prefrontal cortex.

Question 17

What does executive functioning include and where does it occur in the brain?

Answer 17

Executive functioning includes planning, decision making, impulse control, and working memory, and it occurs in the prefrontal cortex.

Question 18

When does the prefrontal cortex mature?

Answer 18

The prefrontal cortex is one of the last parts of the brain to mature, typically until the mid-20s.

Question 19

What functions does the parietal lobe control?

Answer 19

The parietal lobe is responsible for somatosensory functions (like pressure, pain, and temperature), spatial awareness, and number processing.

Question 20

What functions does the temporal lobe control?

Answer 20

The temporal lobe is involved in auditory processing, speech, and includes the hippocampus, where memories are consolidated and stored.

Question 21

What functions does the occipital lobe control?

Answer 21

The occipital lobe processes visual stimuli from the retina, including recognition, depth perception, assigning meaning to visual cues and colors, and helps form memories.

Question 22

What functions does the thalamus perform?

Answer 22

The thalamus acts as the brain’s switchboard, receiving sensory input and relaying it to the correct part of the cerebrum. It also helps with motor control and regulates wakefulness and sleep.

Question 23

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Answer 23

The hypothalamus regulates homeostatic functions and controls the release of pituitary hormones.