Module 5 : Gross structure + function of the Brain Flashcards
The brain is surrounded by protective membranes , what are these called?
meninges
What are the 5 main areas of the brain?
cerebrum
cerebellum
medulla oblongata
hypothalamus
pituitary gland
What is the main function of the cerebrum?
to receive sensory info and interpret it with respect to previous experience , to then send impulses along motor neurons to effectors to produce an appropriate response
What is the cerebellum split into?
What is the name given to the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres?
the left and right hemispheres
the cerebral cortex
What processes occur in the frontal and prefrontal lobes of the cerebral cortex?
decision making and reasoning
Where is the motor cortex located and what is its main function?
at the back of the frontal lobe , controls movement
What is the main function of the cerebellum?
What does the cerebellum receive information about and where from?
What does it do with this information?
to CO-ORDINATE movement
receives info about balance from the balance organs in the ears
also receives info about the tone of muscles and tendons
it relays this info to areas of the cerebral cortex involved in motor control
What does the medulla oblangata contain and what processes is it involved in the control of?
it contains many important regulatory centres of the ANS which controls reflex activity
also controls swallowing , peristalsis and coughing etc
What 2 branches of the Nervous System does the hypothalamus have centres for?
What are the 3 main functions of the hypothalamus?
the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches
-controlling complex patterns of behaviour( sleep)
-monitoring composition of blood plasma
-producing hormones
Where is the pituitary gland located and what does it control?
What are the names of the 2 sections that the pituitary gland is divided into ?
State what they do and name a hormone they release
located at the base of the hypothalamus and controls most of the glands in the body
Anterior pituitary-produces 6 hormones including FSH which is involved in reproduction and growth hormones
Posterior pituitary-stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus such as ADH which is involved in urine production
The mammalian nervous system is organised structurally into what 2 systems?
What does each consist of?
the central nervous system(consists of brain and spinal chord)
the peripheral nervous system(consists of all the neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body)
The nervous system is also functionally organised into what 2 systems?
the somatic nervous system
the autonomic nervous system
Make 2 points about the somatic nervous system
Make 3 points about the autonomic nervous system
-the system is under conscious control
-it carries impulses to the bodys muscles
-the system is under subconscious control
-its involuntary
-it carries nerve impulses to glands/smooth muscle and cardiac muscle
The autonomic nervous system can be further divided into what 2 systems?
the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Sympathetic nervous system : What response does it trigger , what effect does it have on activity levels and what hormones are involved?
the fight or flight response
increases activity levels
adrenaline and noradrenaline
Parasympathetic nervous system: What response does it trigger , what effect does it have on activity levels and what hormones are involved?
the rest and digest response
decreases activity levels
acetylcholine
