Brain - in depth

Question 1

Name the structures of the brain in order from the most bottom -> top

Answer 1

spinal cord, medulla oblongata, pons, cerebellum, midbrain, thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebral cortex

Question 2

What is the function of the medulla oblongata?

3

Answer 2

• regulate autonomic functions (eg: cardiovascular system, respiratory rhythm, digestion)
• regulate reflexes
• motor neurones cross over in the medulla before descending into the spinal cord

Question 3

What is the role of Pons?

2

Answer 3

• acts as a relay system (relay info from forebrain -> cerebellum)
• controls basic life support systems
  (sleep, respiration, swallow + taste, bladder control, equilibrium, eye movement, facial expression + sensation, posture)

Question 4

What is the role of the cerebellum?

4

Answer 4

• movement coordination
• motor learning
• balance and postural maintenance
• predicts sensorimotor consequences of any movement

Question 5

What is the role of the midbrain?

2

Answer 5

• visual and auditory reflexes
• voluntary movements
• regulation of circadian rhythms
• thermoregulation

Question 6

What is the role of the thalamus?

1

Answer 6

• relays information from spinal cord to the cerebral cortex

info passes from spinal cord -> thalamus cells -> cerebral cortex

Question 7

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

3

Answer 7

• contain nuclei (groups of neurones) which form master command centres for neural and endocrine coordination
• regulates behaviours that affect survival
• important control area for homeostatic regulation and metabolic control

Question 8

What is the role of the basal ganglia?

3

Answer 8

• movement regulation
• skill learning + habit formation
• self initiation of behaviours and selection of appropriate behaviour

Question 9

What is the role of the cerebral cortex

4

Answer 9

• movement
• consciousness
• attention, perception, awareness
• thought, memory, language

Question 10

Features of the cerebral cortex

Answer 10

• high SA to volume ratio
• highly folded
• contain gyri(peak of fold) and sulci(trough of fold)
• contain grey and white matter

Question 11

Name all the lobes of the brain

Answer 11

frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal

Question 12

What are the functions of the brain (4)

Answer 12

• manage vital processes
• integrate information from senses
• coordinates movement
• responsible for cognitive functions

Question 13

what are the 5 major regions in the brain?

Answer 13

• cerebral hemisphere
• cerebellum
• diencephalon
• brainstem
• spinal cord

Question 14

How are the left and right hemispheres connected

Answer 14

By corpus callosum (white matter)

Question 15

what is the function of corpus callosum

Answer 15

• allow for communication between both hemispheres

Question 16

What are the main functions of the brain (in general)

4

Answer 16

• manages vital processes
• integrates sensory/afferent information
• coordinates movements
• responsible for cognitive functions