Lecture 20: The Brain

Question 1

What three things make up the brain stem?

Answer 1

Medulla, Pons, Midbrain

Question 2

Reticular Formation

Answer 2

Groups of soma throughout the brainstem

Best known for role in consciousness and wakefulness

Question 3

Ascending Tracts

Answer 3

Sensory tracts from the body to the cerebrum

Question 4

Descending Tracts

Answer 4

Corticospinal “pyramidal” tracts from the cerebrum to spinal cord

Question 5

Pyramidal

Answer 5

Each side of the brain controls the opposite side of the body except for smell

Question 6

Cerebellum

Answer 6

Maintains posture, coordinates movement

Question 7

Three parts of the Diencephalon

Answer 7

Thalamus (“keeper”), Epithalamus (Pineal: Melatonin + Connection to limbic system), Hypothalamus (Hormones, maintain homeostasis)

Question 8

What is the largest part of the brain?

Answer 8

The cerebrum

Question 9

Cerebrum

Answer 9

Controls all conscious thoughts (higher order thinking) and intellectual functions

Processes somatic memory and motor information

Question 10

Corpus Callosum

Answer 10

Connects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum, white matter

Question 11

Sulci and Gyri

Answer 11

Increases surface area of brain

Question 12

5 Hemispheres of The Cerebrum

Answer 12

Temporal, Parietal, Frontal, Occipital, Insular

Question 13

Three regions of gray matter

Answer 13

Cerebral Cortex, Basal Ganglia, Limbic System

Question 14

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 14

Outer millimeter of brain, higher processing

Question 15

Basal Ganglia

Answer 15

Core of cerebellum, coordination of movements and directing subconscious activities

Question 16

Limbic System

Answer 16

Functional grouping, what links higher functioning to autonomic responses (Ex. fear), establishes emotional states

Question 17

What makes up the limbic system?

Answer 17

Cingulate gyrus, amygdala, hippocampus

Question 18

Function of white matter

Answer 18

Communication among different regions

Question 19

Association Fibers

Answer 19

Communication within hemispheres

Question 20

Corpus Callosum and Anterior Commissure

Answer 20

Communication between hemispheres

Question 21

Projection Fibers

Answer 21

Communication to other brain regions (through brainstem to body)

Question 22

Left Hemisphere

Answer 22

Typically more categorical (Math, language, verbal skills)

Question 23

Right Hemisphere

Answer 23

Typically more representational (Spatial skills, pattern recognition, music, art)