Module 5 : Gross structure + function of the Brain

Question 1

The brain is surrounded by protective membranes , what are these called?

Answer 1

meninges

Question 2

What are the 5 main areas of the brain?

Answer 2

cerebrum
cerebellum
medulla oblongata
hypothalamus
pituitary gland

Question 3

What is the main function of the cerebrum?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is the cerebellum split into?

What is the name given to the outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres?

Answer 4

the left and right hemispheres

the cerebral cortex

Question 5

What processes occur in the frontal and prefrontal lobes of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 5

decision making and reasoning

Question 6

Where is the motor cortex located and what is its main function?

Answer 6

at the back of the frontal lobe , controls movement

Question 7

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?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What does the medulla oblangata contain and what processes is it involved in the control of?

Answer 8

it contains many important regulatory centres of the ANS which controls reflex activity

also controls swallowing , peristalsis and coughing etc

Question 9

What 2 branches of the Nervous System does the hypothalamus have centres for?

What are the 3 main functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 9

the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches

-controlling complex patterns of behaviour( sleep)
-monitoring composition of blood plasma
-producing hormones

Question 10

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

Answer 10

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