Functions Of The Parts Of The Brain Flashcards
Auditory cortex
The part of the brain that processes information it receives from the ears
Brain stem
The central trunk of the brain that continues down to the spinal chord
Central nervous system
A system consisting of the brain and spinal cord, to which sensory impulses are transmitted and from which motor impulses pass out
Cerebellum
The part of the brain at the back of the skull, responsible form motor control + procedural and semantic memory
Cerebral cortex
The outer layer of the brain which is important for conscious awareness
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter responsible for mood, movement and perception
Frontal lobe
A part of the brain that is it’s ‘control centre’ and is responsible for planning organisation and decision making
Hippocampus
The part of the brain responsible for making new memories (autobiographical and semantic)
Hypothalamus
A part of the brain that controls a number of key bodily functions
Limbic system
A neural network that controls emotional expression
Melatonin
A hormone associated with regulating sleep
Parasympathetic nervous system
A division of the nervous system that regulates organ and gland function during test
Pons
A part of the brain that acts as a message system
Prefrontal cortex
The part of the brain that is located behind the forehead and is associated with making moral decisions
Reticular activation system
A neural network that mediates consciousness and alertness
Temporal lobe
Corresponding parts of the brain that are the brain that are responsible for functions such as sending information, understanding speech and generating language
Sympathetic nervous system
A division of the nervous system that controls the flight or fight response when faced with stress
Superchiasmatic nucleus
A part of the brain that regulates circadian rhythms
Arousal
Activation of the nervous system making individuals awake, attentive and alert
Autobiographical memory
Memories that we collect during our lifetime, of things we have done and places we have been
Autonomic nervous system
The system responsible for unconscious control of the body’s internal organs
Brainstem
The central trunk of the brain that continues down to the spinal chord and contains the pons
Distorted memories
Memories that have been changed or altered in some way
Endogenous pacemakers
Internal biological clocks that manage bodily rhythms e.g. superchiasmatic nucleus
Episodic memory
Memories of places, events and people
Exogenous zeitgebers
Features of the environment - either physical that help to manage bodily rhythms e.g. light
Fantasies
Products of imagination where impossible or improbable occurrences are imagined
Pineal gland
An endocrine gland, found in the brain which produces melatonin
Procedural memory
A type of memory that is responsible for ‘motor’ skills, such as walking and being able to feed ourselves
Semantic memory
Memory of facts, names, general knowledge, for example, knowing who the Prime Minister is.
