Chapter 6- interaction between cognitive processes of the Brain and its Structure Flashcards
Midbrain
Connects the hindbrain with the forebrain and controls arousal levels, attention and consciousness; essentially comprises the reticular activating system (RAS)
Forebrain
Part of the brain responsible for higher order thinking processes, includes cerebral hemispheres
- problem-solving
- planning
- memory
- language
- emotions
- body movement
- upper level structures
Spinal cord
The bundle of nerve fibres connecting the brain with the peripheral nervous system.
- relays info between brain and body
- some simple reflexes
Hypothalamus
Structure in the forebrain that plays a major role in controlling emotion and motivated behaviours.
- Regulates emotions and ‘instinctive’ drives
- eating, sexual activities
Brain stem
- connects brain to the spinal cord
- Regulates reflex survival responses
Pons
- Responsible for sleep and arousal
- controls movement, breathing, sleeping, dreams and waking
Cerebellum
- perception and cognition, balance and fine muscle control
Medula
- Heartbeat, breathing and other vital bodily functions
Cerebral cortex
- outer layer of brain
- higher mental processes and complex behaviours
Corpus callosum
- thick band of 200 million nerve fibres
- connects left and right hemispheres of cerebral cortex
- enables communication, so information to pass through hemispheres
Limbic system
- hippocampus
- amygdala
Hippocampus
- in medial temporal lobe
- finger sized curved structure
- long-term memory and spatial orientation
- transfer memories to other parts of the brain for storage
Amygdala
- in medial temporal lobe
- almond shaped structure
- responsible for aggression and fear
- emotional memory
- implicit learning
- initiating and processing emotional responses and forming emotional memories
Hindbrain
The primitive parts of the brain, comprising the cerebellum, pons and medulla, adjoining to the spinal cord.
- important for movement and balance
Central Nervous System
- brain and spinal cord
- brain is able to communicate to rest of the body with the spinal cord
- conveys messages between brain and peripheral NS