Brain Areas & Structures

Question 1

Blood brain barrier (BBB)

Answer 1

• protects the brain from toxic substances in the blood

- highly selective, semipermeable border

Question 2

Hypothalamus

Answer 2

-controls homeostatic systems, tells us when we’re thirsty, etc.

Question 3

Thalamus

Answer 3

-relay motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex

Question 4

Pituitary gland

Answer 4

-master gland, tells other glands to release hormones

Question 5

Hippocampus

Answer 5

-stores memories, allows to form new memories, emotional responses, learning

Question 6

Amygdala

Answer 6

-emotion center

Question 7

Prefrontal cortex

Answer 7

• covers the front of the frontal lobe

- complex cognitive behavior, decision making, social behavior, etc.

Question 8

Frontal cortex

Answer 8

-plans responses to external and internal stimuli

Question 9

Motor cortex

Answer 9

• execution of VOLUNTARY movements

- planning & control

Question 10

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 10

• receives and processes SENSORY info across the body

- touch, pain, heat, etc.

Question 11

Visual cortex

Answer 11

-receives and processed visual info relayed form the retinas

Question 12

Auditory cortex

Answer 12

• part of the temporal lobe

- receives and processes auditory info

Question 13

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Answer 13

• reward system, reinforces behaviors
• 1 of 2 major dopaminergic areas
• releases dopamine neurons

Question 14

Nucleus accumbens (NAcc))

Answer 14

• receives the dopamine neurons from the VTA and NAcc increases dopamine levels in the body
• part of the reward system

Question 15

Mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway

Answer 15

-connects the VTA with the basal forebrain (NAcc and olfactory tubercle)

Question 16

Periaqueductal gray (PAG)

Answer 16

• controls pain, creates analgesic effects

- PAG = PAIN

Question 17

Locus coeruleus (LC)

Answer 17

• primary source of norepinephrine in the brain

- receives input from lots of brain regions

Question 18

Raphe nucleus

Answer 18

• part of the reticular formation
• releases serotonin to other parts of the brain
• SSRI’s are thought to act on the nucleus

Question 19

Cerebellum

Answer 19

• involved in movement

- help people drive, throw, walk, etc.

Question 20

Pons

Answer 20

• vital functions
• sleep/wake
• breathing

Question 21

Medulla

Answer 21

-controls autonomic activity (breathing and heartbeat)