Brain Quiz - Functions

Question 1

auditory cortex

Answer 1

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

Question 2

visual cortex

Answer 2

The visual processing areas of cortex in the occipital lobes.

Question 3

spinal cord

Answer 3

pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from brain; controls simple reflexes

Question 4

corpus callosum

Answer 4

axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

Question 5

medulla

Answer 5

The base of the brainstem. Controls heartbeat and breathing.

Question 6

pons

Answer 6

helps coordinate movement and control sleep

Question 7

thalamus

Answer 7

the brains ‘sensory switch board’ Located at top of brainstem; directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

Question 8

reticular formation

Answer 8

nerve network that travels through the brainstem into the thalamus; it filters information and plays an important role in controlling arousal

Question 9

cerebellum

Answer 9

“little brain” at the rear of the brainstem; functions including processing sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory.

Question 10

limbic system

Answer 10

A system of neural structures at the border of brainstem. Associated with emotions like fear, agression, and drives such as those for food and sex. Includes the Hippocampus, Amygdala and hypothalamus.

Question 11

amygdala

Answer 11

2 Lima bean sized neural clusters in the limbic system, linked to emotion. Includes rage and fear.

Question 12

hippocampus

Answer 12

neural system in the Limbic system. helps process learning and explicit (conscious) memories–of facts and events–for storage

Question 13

hypothalamus

Answer 13

A neural structure lying below the thalamus, it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature) helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

Question 14

cerebral cortex

Answer 14

Fabric of interconnected neuron cells. Higher order thinking. Takes meaning and puts it to focus. The body’s ultimate control and information-processing center.

Question 15

frontal lobes

Answer 15

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead; involved in speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements.

Question 16

parietal lobes

Answer 16

Parietal lobes The portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the top of the head and toward the rear; includes the sensory cortex. Receives sensory input for touch and body position.

Question 17

occipital lobes

Answer 17

the portion of the cerebral cortex lying at the back of the head; includes the visual areas, which receive visual info from the opposite visual field.

Question 18

somatosensory cortex

Answer 18

the area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations.

Question 19

visual cortex

Answer 19

The visual processing areas of cortex in the occipital lobes.

Question 20

association areas

Answer 20

areas of the cerebral cortex that are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

Question 21

pituitary gland

Answer 21

The endocrine system’s most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

Question 22

spinal cord

Answer 22

pathway for neural fibers traveling to and from brain; controls simple reflexes

Question 23

corpus callosum

Answer 23

axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

Question 24

auditory cortex

Answer 24

strip of cortex in the temporal lobe that is responsible for processing auditory information

Question 25

temporal lobes

Answer 25

The portion of the cerebral cortex lying roughyl above the ears; includes the auditory areas, each of which revieves aditory info primarily from the opposite end.

Question 26

motor cortex

Answer 26

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.