Parts of the Brain*

Question 1

Cerebral Cortex Function:

Answer 1

Plays a key role in memory, thinking, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, emotions, consciousness and functions related to your senses.

Question 2

Cerebral Cortex Structure:

Answer 2

1. Outermost layer and has many fold, which gives it a wrinkled appearance.
2. Folds consist of many deep grooves called sulci and raised areas called gyri.
3. Add to the surface area, allowing large amounts of information to be processed.
4. 2mm to 4mm thick.

Question 3

What is the cerebrum and what are the 4 lobes?

Answer 3

1. Largest part of the brain, responsible for the highest level processing different types of the human brain. For example, language, memory and reasoning.
2. Frontal
3. Parietal
4. Temporal
5. Optical

Question 4

What does the frontal lobe do?

Answer 4

Manages thinking, emotions, personality, judgement, self-control, muscle control and movements, memory storage.

Question 5

What is the function of the parietal lobe?

Answer 5

Vital for sensory perception like the management of taste, hearing, sight, touch and smell.

Question 6

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

Answer 6

Processes what your eyes see.

Question 7

What is the function of the temporal lobe?

Answer 7

Major part of processing input from multiple sense and how you store and retrieve memories and experiencing emotions

Question 8

Cerebellum:

Answer 8

Controls motor skills and balance, coordinates muscles and allows precise movements.

Question 9

Diencephalon:

Answer 9

Contains the thalamus (Relays nerve impulses from senses to appropriate part of the brain). It also contains the hypothalamus which regulates body temp, hunger, thirst and the endocrine system.

Question 10

Brain stem:

Answer 10

Regulates automatic functions e.g. heart rate, breathing and swallowing. Motor and sensory neurons travel through the brain stem allowing impulses to pass between brain and spinal cord.

Question 11

What does the spinal cord do?

Answer 11

It transports messages to and from the brain to the peripheral nervous system. The nerve messages have three crucial functions.

Question 12

What are the 3 functions of the nerve messages in the spinal cord?

Answer 12

1. Control body movements and functions signals from your brain to other body parts control your movements. They also direct automatic functions such as breathing rate, heartbeat as well as bowel and bladder function.
2. Report senses to your brain. Signals from other parts of the body help the brain record and process sensations like pressure or pain.
3. Manage your reflexes . The spinal cord is controls some reflexes without involving the brain.