exam 3- nervous system 4

Question 1

describe parts and function of brain stem

Answer 1

made of medulla oblongata, pons, mesencephalon (this is the hindbrain)

• relay station- relays sensory info to higher parts of brain and relays motor back down to spinal cord

Question 2

describe medulla oblongata and function

Answer 2

a swelling of the upper most level of spinal cord, functions in controlling the vital reflexes (reflexes that keep us alive- cardiovascular control, regulation of heart rate and strength of contraction, and regulation of blood pressure, respiratory regulation- rate and depth of breathing, swallowing, coughing, sneezing, and vomiting

Question 3

is damage to the medulla oblongata minor or serious?

Answer 3

damage is debilitating and fatal- serious stroke and major bleeder- cuts off oxygen to oblongata, no recovery

Question 4

function of the pons

Answer 4

relay station b/w 2 or more areas between brain

-relays signals from cerebellum and cerebrum back

Question 5

function of mesencephalon

Answer 5

has both sensory and motor function
- sensory: visual and auditory processing
- motor: helps regulate movement of the eyes

Question 6

function of cerebellum

Answer 6

relatively small part of brain, 10% total weight of brain, but contains about 50% of total neurons of the brain

• functions in processing sensory info from multiple sensory fields to help maintain posture and orientation in the environment
• helps regulate timing and force of major motor movements like walking & throwing- for smooth, linear motor movements
• impt for motor memory- helps create motor programs for learned activities (throwing a baseball), these activities originate and are fine-tuned in cerebellum
• cognitive functions, related to language

Question 7

medulla oblongata is part of the brainstem between the ___ and ___

it extends through the ___ to the level of the ___

Answer 7

pons and spinal cord

magnum, atlas

Question 8

some structures in handbrain make up the ____…

Answer 8

limbic system- complex number of neural pathways that communicate b/w cerebral cortex and ultimately communicate to hypothalamus

• this pathway for strong emotions- fear, rage, anger, pleasure
• also involved in basic emotional drives- hunger, dominance, and care of offspring

Question 9

what is the limbic system composed of?

what does this all form?

Answer 9

thalamus, hippocampus, hypothalamus, neocortex, cingulate gyrus, mammillary bodies

all forms the papez circuit- forms complicated pathways that connects neocortex to hypothalamus
- connects 5 senses to cerebral cortex
- involved in regulating which motor pathways get turned on and off

Question 10

what is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 10

connects area of the cerebral cortex that are involved in conscious sensory perception (special senses) and also the sensing of movement

• also plays a role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle

Question 11

functions of the hypothalamus

Answer 11

seat of instinct, mood, strong emotions, and impulses in the brain
6 major functions:
1- body’s thermostat: temp regulation
2- maintains salt & water balance: hypothalamus is where thirst is originated
3- controls food intake- tells when u r hungry/full
4- controls sleep-wake cycle
5- controls pituitary gland (master gland of body)
6- seat of strong emotions

Question 12

what are the structures right below the cerebral cortex?

Answer 12

called basal ganglia- group of neurons at base of cerebral cortex, they help to connect cerebral cortex to thalamus, cerebellum, and brain stem –> help regulate input of sensory signals and output of motor signals

Question 13

what are the 2 pathways used by the basal ganglia

Answer 13

direct pathway activates neurons in the thalamus, which then excites neurons in the motor cortex (through mechanism of disinhibition)

indirect pathway- inhibits neurons in the thalamus, which prevents them from exciting neurons in the motor cortex