Structure and Functioning of the Brain Flashcards
Define biological psychology
The study of thinking and behaving from a biological point of view: everything is related to the CNS
What does the CNS do?
Central Nervous System - processes information
How many neurons are in the brain?
860,000,000
How many possible connections are in the brain?
70,000
What is the Brain made up of?
the cerebellum, the cerebrum, and the brain stem
What does the brain control?
thoughts, memory, speech, movement and organ function
How many different parts of the brain are there?
Frontal lobe, Parietal Lobe, Occipital Lobe, Temporal Lobe
What is the CNS made up of?
What is the CNS made up of?
What is the PNS made up of?
the spinal and cranial nerves
What is the cerebrum?
The largest part of the brain, divided into two hemispheres
What is the cerebrum in control of ?
All higher functions e.g. interpreting touch, hearing and vision, as well as speech, reasoning, emotions, learning and movement
How are the hemispheres joined?
through the corpus callosum (fibres) who transmit messages to either side
What does the left hemisphere control?
The right side of the body, speech, comprehension, arithmetic and writing
What is the left hemisphere known as?
the ‘dominant’ in hand use and languages in 92% of people
What does the right hemisphere control?
creativity, spatial, musical and artistic ability
What is found in the right hemisphere?
Speech in 1/3 of people
Where is the cerebellum found?
Under the cerebrum
What does the cerebellum control?
coordinates muscle movement, maintains balance and posture
what is the function of the brainstem?
automatic function e.g. breathing and maintaining heart rate
Why is the brain stem known as a relay centre?
it connects the cerebellum and the cerebrum to the spinal cord
What are the four lobes of each hemisphere?
temporal, occipital, frontal and parietal
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
it controls:
personality, behaviour and emotions
Judgement, planning and problem-solving
Speech- speaking and writing (Broca’s Area)
Intelligence, concentration and self awareness
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
understanding language (Wernicke’s area)
Memory
Hearing
Sequencing and organisation
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
Interprets vision (colour, light, movement)