Chapter 1: Brain Basics P1

Question 1

What does the brain do?

Answer 1

inputs from the body goes into brain; output messages to body for variety of actions

Question 2

function of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 2

deeply folded layer of nerve tissue making up the surface of the cerebrum

Question 3

function of the corpus callosum?

Answer 3

the bundle of nerve fibers carrying information between the two cerebral hemispheres

Question 4

what is a sulcus?

Answer 4

a depression or fissure in the surface of the brain (valleys) (in the cerebral cortex)

Question 5

what is a gyrus?

Answer 5

a ridge on the cerebral cortex; generally surrounded by one or more sulci (hills)

Question 6

what are the lobes in the cerebrum?

Answer 6

frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital

Question 7

what is the function of the occipital lobe?

Answer 7

• processing visual information
• recognizing different shapes and colors, complex visual representation

Question 8

what is the function of the parietal lobe?

Answer 8

• integrating sensory information form skin
• processing taste
• higher level visual processing (spatial navigation)
• attention

Question 9

what is the function of the temporal lobe?

Answer 9

• higher level visual processing (object recognition)
• processing auditory information and language
• the hippocampus integrates memories and emotion
• amygdala

Question 10

what is the function of the frontal lobe?

Answer 10

• coordination of voluntary movement
• language production
• problem solving, thinking, planning, organizing
• personality and emotions
  
  • case study: phineas gage and the pole through his head

Question 11

what is the hippocampus?

Answer 11

encodes new memories

Question 12

what is the amygdala?

Answer 12

integrates memory and emotion

Question 13

what is the thalamus?

Answer 13

relay station to integrate and relay sensory information to other brain parts

Question 14

what is the hypothalamus?

Answer 14

sends hormonal signals to body (through the pituitary gland)

Question 15

what is the limbic system?

Answer 15

a group of structures that maintain emotion and motivation

Question 16

What does the forebrain include?

Answer 16

the four lobes and the subcortical structures

Question 17

what is the midbrain?

Answer 17

• beneath thalamus
• triggers reflexes to sound, coordinates eye movement
• coordinates motor and sensory input by blocking unwanted body movements
• some region in midbrain + some parts of forebrain = basal ganglia

Question 18

what is the basal ganglia?

Answer 18

group of structures that help control complex body movements

Question 19

what is the function of hindbrain?

Answer 19

role in glucose regulation, sleep, movement

Question 20

what is the function of cerebellum?

Answer 20

• coordinates motor movements
• helps to learn new motor skills
• spatial and temporal perception

Question 21

what is the function of pons?

Answer 21

for breathing and posture

Question 22

what is the function of medulla?

Answer 22

connects neural pathways from brain to spinal cord that control basic functions
- ex. breathing, heart rate, swallowing

Question 23

the brainstem is?

Answer 23

midbrain + pons + medulla

Question 24

what are neural networks?

Answer 24

network is a group of nerve tracts connecting a series of brain regions
- organize and integrate information

Question 25

what are beta brain waves?

Answer 25

awake, normal alert consciousness; 15-30 Hz

Question 26

what are alpha brain waves?

Answer 26

relaxed, calm, meditation, creative visualization; 9-14 Hz

Question 27

what are theta brain waves?

Answer 27

deep relaxation and meditation, problem solving 4-8 Hz

Question 28

what are delta brain waves?

Answer 28

deep, dreamless sleep 1-3 Hz