Functions of the Hindbrain, Midbrain, & Forebrain

Question 1

The basic motto of the operation of the nervous system may be:

Answer 1

“Detect and respond”

Question 2

A reflex arc consists of:

Answer 2

…a sensory and a motor neuron

Question 3

What kind of activity is supported by the rhombencephalitic part of the brainstem?

Answer 3

• reflexive activity

Question 4

The rhombencephalitic level includes…

Answer 4

…the pons, the medulla oblongata, and the cerebellum

Question 5

The rhombencephalitic part of the brainstem has centers which control…

Answer 5

…respiration, cardiac function, vasomotor activity, some reflexes (cough, swallowing, vomiting)…

Question 6

The cerebellum is known to be important for…

Answer 6

…the coordination of fine muscle movements.

Question 7

The function of the tectum, broadly is…

Answer 7

…multisensory integration. The superior collicullus receives signals both from the visual and the auditory systems (mainly the visual). The inferior colliculus receives signals mainly from the auditory, but also from the visual system.

Question 8

The tectum is also important for…

Answer 8

…orienting oneself toward moving stimuli, which are often detected by more than one sensory organ.

Question 9

In functional terms, the tectum may be considered…

Answer 9

…a predecessor of the cerebral cortex.

Question 10

The amygdala is said to be involved in…

Answer 10

…fear, rage, and aggression.

Question 11

The hippocampal formation has been shown to be important for…

Answer 11

anxiety, memory, spatial processing, motivation, etc.

Question 12

The septum, especially its hypothalamic projections are part of…

Answer 12

…the “pleasure system”

Question 13

The suspected function of the basal ganglia…

Answer 13

It receives highly processed information from association cortices and from the prefrontal cortex and somehow translates this information into specific “motor plans” that the motor system can understand (though are sent through the thalamus, presumably to make them available to conscious awareness).

Question 14

The cortical area that is suspected to be specialized for facial recognition is…

Answer 14

the fusiform cortex (lies near the entorhinal cortex)

Question 15

Two elementary mechanisms that subserve selective attention…

Answer 15

…spreading of the cortical activation and lateral inhibition.

Question 16

Three types of learning and examples for them:

Answer 16

• non-associative learning (sensitization, habituation)
• classical conditioning (conditioned reflexes)
• conscious memory (very short-term, short-term, and long-term)