Brain - Module 5 Flashcards
What are the two components of the mammalian nervous system?
- Central nervous system CNS
- Peripheral nervous system PND
What does the CNS consist of?
The Brian and spinal cord
What does the PNS consist of?
The neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
What are the two functionally organised systems in the mammalian nervous system?
- Somatic nervous system
- Autonomic nervous system
What does the somatic nervous system control?
Used when voluntarily deciding to do something
Where does the somatic nervous system carry impulses?
The the body muscles
What does the autonomic nervous system control?
Involuntarily working under subconscious control e.g heart beat and digestion
Where does the autonomic nervous system carry impulses?
To glands, smooth muscle and cardiac muscle
What is the autonomic nervous system divided into?
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
Increases the activity of the outcome e.g increases heart rate
Fight or flight
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
Decreases the activity of the outcome e.g decreases heart rate after finishing exercise
Describe the gross structure of the brain
The brain is protected by the skull as well as a protective membrane
What does the cerebellum control?
Controls muscular movement, posture and balance
IT DOES NOT INITIATE MOVEMENT ONLY COORDINATES IT
What does the medulla oblongata control and what does it contain?
The medulla oblongata controls reflex activities such as ventilation and heart rate
It contains regulatory centres of autonomic nervous system
Where is the main control region for the autonomic nervous system?
The hypothalamus
What are the 4 functions of the hypothalamus?
- Behaviour patterns (sleeping, feeding, aggression)
- Monitors composition of blood plasma (water and glucose concentration)
- Producing hormones
- Thermoregulatory control
Why does the Hypothalamus have a rich blood supply?
It monitors the blood water and glucose concentration
Where is the pituitary gland?
The base of the hypothalamus
What does the pituitary gland control?
Most glands in the body
What are the two sections of the pituitary gland?
- Anterior pituitary
- Posterior pituitary
What does the anterior pituitary do?
Produces 6 hormones including FSH for reproduction
What does the posterior pituitary do?
Stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus
Why is the highly convoluted membrane of the cerebrum an advantage?
Increases surface area and capacity for activity
What does the outer layer of the cerebrum called?
Cerebral cortex
What does the cerebral cortex control?
Sophisticated processes - decision making and reasoning
What are the ‘sensory regions’ in the cerebrum relative to?
The number of receptor cells in the body part the impulses come from
What controls movement in the cerebrum?
The primary motor cortex
What happens in the base of the cerebrum?
The impulses cross over - left hemisphere controls right side of body, right hemisphere controls left side of body
What does the cerebrum control?
Controls voluntary actions - learning, memory and personality
