Brain structures

Question 1

Nervous system

Answer 1

is a system of networks of specialised cells (neurons) that connect different parts of the body to each other and the brain via electrochemical signals.

Question 2

Neurons

Answer 2

are individual nerve cells that receive, transmit and process information

Question 3

Central nervous system

Answer 3

is a major division of the nervous system consisting of all the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Enables the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. Top half of spinal chord = upper body, lower body = lower half

Question 4

Peripheral nervous system

Answer 4

is a major division of the nervous system consisting of all the nerves outside the CNS; transmits sensory information inwards to the CNS and transmits motor messages from the brain outwards to the rest of the body vie motor neurons from the CNS

Question 5

Somatic nervous system

Answer 5

• division of the PNS - repsonsible for voluntary movement of skeletal muscles (striped) - motor neurons communicate from CNS to particular muscles - sensory neurons convey sensations (interact w. motor through interneurons)

Question 6

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 6

• division of the PNS - responsible for communcation of info between CNS and non-skeletal muscles (smooth, visceral) as well as internal organs and glands - operated without voluntary control or consciousness awareness (can be controlled tho) - enables organism to have the cognitive resources to pay attention to other matters - through medulla

Question 7

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer 7

• branch of the autonomic system - becomes active when an organism perceives itself to be in danger or stress - readies the body for action, such as running away (fight or flight) - dilates pupils - no effects on tear glands - weak stimulation of salivary glands - accelerates heart rate and constricts arterioles - dilates bronchi - inhibits stomach and pancreas - stimulates intenstines - relaxes bladders - stimulates ejaculation

Question 8

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 8

• branch of the autonomic system - operates in circumstances when it is relatively calm - maintains automatic bodily functions and normal breathing - normal function = homeostasis - affects same organs and sympathetic, but different ways - pupils contricted - tear glands stimulates - salivary glands simulated - slowed heart rate, dilates arterioles - bronchi constricted - stomach, pancreas and intestines stimulate - contract bladders - stimulate erection

Question 9

Cerebral cortex

Answer 9

• 3 mm layer of tissue that forms the outer layer and surface of the brain’s cerebellum - responsible for basic sensory and motor functions, as well as higher mental processes. - bulges (gyri) and valleys (sulci)

Question 10

Corpus collosum

Answer 10

is a set of neural fibres that bridges the gap between the two hemispheres (left and right) of the brain

Question 11

Central fissure

Answer 11

is a deep group that runs from the top of a hemisphere to the bottom to separate the front (anterior) from the rear (posterior).

Question 12

Frontal lobe

Answer 12

• largest of the lobes - initiates movement of the body (motor functions), language, association area controls planning, judgement, problem solving, aspecs of personality and emotions - Broca’s area is responsible for production of speech (part of association) - primary motor cortex at rear of each frontal lobe, adjacent to central fissure; responsible for movement of skeletal muscles - functions contralaterally (left side controlls right hand side of body) - toe part located at top, mouth at bottom

Question 13

Parietal lobe

Answer 13

• enables peson to perceive your own body, and location of things in immediate environment - right pareital lobe enables person to perceive 3d shapes and designs - left pareital lobe is reading, writing and mental arithmetic + pointing out own body parts or things in a room - primary somatosensory cortex situated at front of each parietal lobe - responsible for processing sensation (pain, temp), functions contralaterally - if right damaged,can’t process information on left side

Question 14

Occipital lobe

Answer 14

• vision - right side of each retina = right occipital lobe - information from centre of visual field is processed in both occipital lobe - different parts of primary visual cortex process different types of visual stimuli - if association cortex damaged, can’t recognise things by sight

Question 15

Temporal lobe

Answer 15

• receives and processes auditory information and also the recognition of faces. - Contains Wernicke’s Area which is responsible for comprehending speech of others - Contains the Primary Auditory Cortex which receives auditory information. (upper part of temporal lobe) - damaged right temporal lobe = no recog of faces, songs,paintings - association areas important for processing of memory

Question 16

Right hemisphere

Answer 16

• left side of body - analysis by touch - auditory cortex of left ear - spatial visualisation and analysis - some things are lateralised (only one side) eg language - left - music appreciation - art appreciation -fantasy - perception

Question 17

Left hemisphere

Answer 17

• right side of body - speech centre - right hand touch - auditory cortex (right ear) - general interprative centre (language and maths) - logic

Question 18

Association areas

Answer 18

• involved in integration of info between motor and sensory areas and higher-order mental processes - less specific function of neurons - damage = difficulty speaking, thinking, behaving normally

Question 19

Location of lobes

Answer 19

Question 20

Location of cortexes + lobes

Answer 20

Question 21

Areas responsible for speech prod

Answer 21