Brain Anatomy and Function Unit

Question 1

Where is the frontal lobe located and what is its basic function?

Answer 1

The front of the brain spanning through each cerebral hemisphere.
Its main functions include behaviors/personality, problem solving, organization, attention.

Question 2

Where is the occipital lobe located and what is its basic function?

Answer 2

It is located at the back of the skull, under the parietal lobe.
Its main function is visual processing of the data from the eyes.

Question 3

Where is the parietal lobe located and what is its basic function?

Answer 3

It is located at the back, top of the skull behind the frontal lobe. It spans through the two hemispheres.
Its main function is language; reading and writing, spatial and directional awareness, and mathematics. It also is responsible for sensory interpretation.

Question 4

Where is the temporal lobe located and what is its basic function?

Answer 4

It is located under the frontal lobe, spanning across both cerebral hemispheres.
It is responsible for the majority of auditory processing, as well as emotions and memory.

Question 5

Where is the cerebellum located and what is its function?

Answer 5

Located under the occipital lobe.

It is responsible for movement, ranging from fine motor skills to coordination and balance.

Question 6

What are the 4 main divisions of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 6

The frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal lobes of the brain. These areas compose the largest portion of the brain and are responsible for higher-order functions such as thought and movement.

Question 7

What is the function of the brain stem?

Answer 7

The brain stem connects the spinal cord to the brain (cerebellum) and it controls involuntary movements such as breathing, heart-rate, bowel control, body temperature, and more.

Question 8

What is a neuron? What are the major parts?

Answer 8

A neuron is a type of cell in the body responsible for transporting electrical signals/”messages” throughout the body/brain.
It is composed of the cell body (processing), the dendrites (where the electric signal is taken in), the axons (where the electric signal is passed on to the next neuron), and the synapse or axon terminal (the small space between neurons where the electric signal is actually passed on).

Question 9

What is conception, biologically speaking.

Answer 9

It is the moment when an egg and a sperm unite.

Question 10

What is the term “pruning” as it applies to the brain?

Answer 10

It is the brain’s natural process of removing neurons/synaptic connections that are not used frequently, to strengthen stronger neural connections.

Question 11

Define the term “hard-wired” as it applies to the brain.

Answer 11

Connections that are already made in the brain and no not need to be reinforced through increased use of that pathway.

Question 12

Define Stimuli.

Answer 12

Information received from one of the 5 senses.

Question 13

Define “critical period” as it applies to brain development.

Answer 13

A point in brain development in which a certain part of development/growth is occurring rapidly and needs intense stimulation in that area to develop properly and fully.

Question 14

Define “brain wiring”.

Answer 14

The process of stimulating the brain in which neural pathways/synaptic connections are made and/or strengthened.
The idea is that at birth/near birth all the neurons one will have in their lifetime are present, but throughout life connections between the neurons will be made and will increase/create aptitude in different areas, depending on where the greatest “wiring” is.

Question 15

Where is the amygdala located and what is its function?

Answer 15

The amygdala is a part of the limbic system, composed of two amygdale, one of each side of the brain.
It is primarily responsible for ones emotional life (anger, sexuality, happy, sad, etc.), as well as survival instincts.

Question 16

What is the Limbic System?

Answer 16

The limbic system is composed of a complex group of structures just beneath the cerebrum and thalamus.
It has a lot to do with the formation of memories, as well as the emotional life.

Question 17

What is the function of the hippocampus?

Answer 17

The hippocampus is a part of the limbic system, with its main function pertaining to memory.
It also is responsible for converting new memories into long-lasting ones.

Question 18

What is the function of the corpus callosum and where is it located?

Answer 18

The corpus callosum is located in the center of the brain and is responsible for connecting the two hemispheres of the brain by a bundle of fibres.
It is where communication takes place between the two sides of the brain.

Question 19

What is the midbrain and what is its function?

Answer 19

It is in-between the forebrain (cerebrum) and the hind brain (cerebellum) on the middle/top of the brain stem. It is composed of many other small structures with varying functions.

Question 20

What is the medulla oblongata?

Answer 20

It is lower part of the brain stem, responsible for involuntary functions.
It is a component of the hindbrain.

Question 21

What is the pons and what is its function?

Answer 21

The pons is a component of the hindbrain, located above the medulla. It is responsible for connecting the upper and lower parts of the brain, as well as connecting the cerebellum to the cerebrum.
It relays messages between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. It also plays a role in REM and the sleep cycle.

Question 22

What is the pituitary gland and what is its function?

Answer 22

The pituitary gland is composed of two parts: the anterior and posterior parts. It is a component of the endocrine system and a very important one because is releases many hormones. The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland, regulating when and which hormones to secrete.

Question 23

What is the thalamus?

Answer 23

The thalamus is a component of the forebrain, superior to the midbrain with nerve fibres spanning in all directions of the cerebral cortex.
Its responsible for relaying almost all sensory information and passing it along to the cerebrum for further processing.
Note that is is separated into groups of specialized nuclei that pertain to different sensory information.

Question 24

What is the hypothalamus?

Answer 24

A component on the limbic system, it is an important part in the endocrine system for it signals the pituitary gland to secrete hormones. It receives sensory information from many parts of the brain and then signals the rest of the body to act accordingly, or it signals the pituitary gland to secrete corresponding hormones.

Question 25

What is the function of the brain stem?

Answer 25

Composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. It is responsible for many involuntary bodily actions.

Question 26

What is the myelin sheath and what is its function?

Answer 26

The myelin sheath is a protein layer that covers the axon of a neuron, protecting and insulating it.

Question 27

What does right-side brain behavior consist of?

Answer 27

It consists of creative, abstract thinking. It involved looking at something as a whole, rather than small details.

Question 28

What damage does childhood trauma inflict on on the brain?

Answer 28

It can several neural pathways

Question 29

What is the official name for the brain’s resting state?

Answer 29

Default mode network

Question 30

Describe right brain functions and behaviour.

Answer 30

Logic,analysis,sequencing,language,computation, thinking in words,objective

Question 31

Describe left brain functions and behaviour.

Answer 31

Creativity, imagination, intuition, rhythm,visualization, feelings,subjective and intuitive.

Question 32

Briefly explain the function of dopamine.

Answer 32

Controls voluntary movements, associated with emotional arousal, learning, and memory. Drugs can increase levels of tis, it is the feel good drug and it involved in the reward pathway.

Question 33

Briefly explain the function of serotonin.

Answer 33

Effect on emotion, mood, and anxiety. Regulates sleep, and appetite. Low serotonin is associated with disorders such as depression an OCD.

Question 34

Briefly explain function of Endorphins.

Answer 34

A hormone in the body when experiencing pain, reduces pain and stress, and promotes calmness.

Question 35

Briefly explain function of Epinephrine.

Answer 35

Also known as adrenaline, released in response to signals from the sympathetic nervous system. Controls arousal, attention, cognition, and mental focus useful in “fight of flight” applications.

Question 36

Briefly explain function of norepinephrine.

Answer 36

Also an excitatory hormone like epinephrine. Increase heart rate and blood pressure, also helping with fight or flight.

Question 37

Briefly explain the function of Enkephalins.

Answer 37

Regulates pain, allows body to cope and remain focused.

Question 38

Briefly explain the function of the hormone GABA

Answer 38

An inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down action of neurons in order to prevent excitement, which can lead to anxiety.

Question 39

Briefly explain the function of the neurotransmitter acetyl-choline.

Answer 39

Stimulates muscles and is associated with attention, arousal, memory, and learning.

Question 40

What is the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 40

The nervous system besides the brain and spinal cord. Relays info to and from it to part of the body, and it composed of the somatic and autonomic systems.

Question 41

Does the somatic nervous system belong to the PNS or CNS? and what is its function?

Answer 41

It is apart of the PNS and is associated with voluntary controls such as pain sensations, sensory signals.

Question 42

Does the autonomic nervous system belong to the PNS or CNS? and what is its function?

Answer 42

It belongs to the PNS and it is involved with involuntary bodily movements such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. Composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Question 43

What is the parasympathetic nervous system and which nervous system(s) does it belong to?

Answer 43

The parasympathetic nervous system is apart of the autonomic nervous system, and therefore the PNS.
It is concerned with the body’s energy and resources during relaxed states. Slows heart rate, BP, and breathing.

Question 44

What is the sympathetic nervous system and what nervous system(s) does it belong to?

Answer 44

It is apart of the autonomic nervous system, and therefore the PNS.
It is concerned with mobilizing the body’s energy and resources during stress and arousal (fight or flight).

Question 45

What is the central nervous system?

Answer 45

Composed of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It interprets incoming info from the PNS and provides instruction/response to the PNS on how to react next.