Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Mind, Brain & Behaviour > Subdivisions of the Brain > Flashcards

Subdivisions of the Brain Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
The Brain flashcards
1
Q

What are the three major subdivisions of the brain?

A

Hindbrain
Midbrain
Forebrain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the hindbrain?

A

The lowest and most primitive level of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What structures are contained within the hindbrain?

A

The brain stem
The cerebellum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the role of the brain stem?

A

Controls basic but vital life support functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What structures are contained within the brain stem?

A

The medulla
The pons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the role of the medulla?

A

Plays a key role in heart rate and respiration, enabling them to occur automatically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the role of the pons?

A

Helps to control vital functions, especially respiration
Helps to regulate sleep
Acts as a relay between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the role of the cerebellum?

A

Control and coordination of muscular movement, learning and memory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does damage to the cerebellum lead to?

A

Severe motor disturbances - this can even include temporary damage due to intoxication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the midbrain?

A

It contains clusters of sensory and motor neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the role of the motor neurons in the midbrain?

A

Controlling eye movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What structure is contained within the midbrain?

A

The reticular formation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the general role of the reticular formation?

A

Plays a role in consciousness, sleep and attention

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the two parts of the reticular formation?

A

The ascending general sensory tract
The descending motor projection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does each part of the reticular formation do?

A

Ascending - alerts the higher centres of the brain that messages are coming
Descending - admits or blocks these messages

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What can damage to the reticular formation lead to?

A

A permanent coma
There may also be links to chronic fatigue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the forebrain?

A

The most recently evolved part of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What structures are contained within the forebrain?

A

Cerebrum
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
The limbic system
Cerebral cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the cerebrum?

A

The major structure of the forebrain, consisting of two hemispheres that wrap around the brain stem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the role of the thalamus?

A

Organises inputs from the sensory organs and routes them to the appropriate areas of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which senses is the thalamus concerned with?

A

Sight
Sound
Touch
Balance

22
Q

What happens if the thalamus is damaged?

A

Hearing and vision are confused, producing symptoms similar to schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and not being able to distinguish between what is real and imaginary

23
Q

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

A

Plays a major role in motivation and emotion
Controls hormonal secretions that regulate sexual behaviour, metabolism and reactions to stress
Involved in experiences of pleasure/displeasure

24
Q

What is the role of the limbic system?

A

Helps coordinate behaviours needed to satisfy motivational and emotional urges that arise in the hypothalamus

25
Q

What structures are contained within the limbic system?

A

Hippocampus
Amygdala

26
Q

What is the role of the hippocampus?

A

Forming, consolidating and retrieving memories
Providing the context of a memory
Involved in navigation

27
Q

What happens if the hippocampus is damaged?

A

Amnesia can be caused - the individual may struggle to form new memories but their old memories will remain intact

28
Q

What is the role of the amygdala?

A

Involved in emotional behaviours (particularly anger and fear) and memories

29
Q

What happens if the amygdala is damaged?

A

Individuals may struggle to remember the emotional content of memories

30
Q

What is the cerebral cortex?

A

A sheet of unmyelinated cells that forms the outermost layer of the brain

31
Q

What are the “bulges” in the cerebral cortex called?

A

Gyri

32
Q

What are the “grooves” in the cerebral cortex called?

A

Fissures

33
Q

What are the two roles of fissures in the cerebral cortex?

A

Increase the surface area of the brain
Separate the brain into lobes

34
Q

What are the four lobes of the brain?

A

Frontal
Parietal
Occipital
Temporal

35
Q

Where is the motor cortex located?

A

The frontal lobe

36
Q

What is the role of the motor cortex?

A

Controls the approximately 600 muscles involved in voluntary body movements

37
Q

How do the different hemispheres of the motor cortex operate?

A

Each hemisphere governs movement on the opposite side of the body

38
Q

What is the relationship between body parts and the area of the motor cortex allotted to them?

A

The more sophisticated and complex the movement they produce, the more area is allotted to them, e.g. hands and mouth have the largest allotted area

39
Q

Where is the somatosensory cortex located?

A

The parietal lobe

40
Q

What is the role of the somatosensory cortex?

A

Receives sensory input and translates this into sensations of heat, touch, cold, balance and body movement

41
Q

What is the relationship between body parts and the area of the somatosensory cortex allotted to them?

A

The more sensitive the body part, the more area is allotted to them

42
Q

Where is the association cortex located?

A

The cerebral cortex

43
Q

What is the role of the association cortex?

A

Involved in important mental functions, such as perception, language and thought

44
Q

What problems can be caused by damage to the association cortex?

A

Disruption or loss of speech
Issues with understanding, thinking and problem solving
Agnosia

45
Q

What is agnosia?

A

The inability to identify familiar objects

46
Q

What is the role of the frontal lobes?

A

Involved in self-awareness, planning and responsibility
Involved in emotional experience

47
Q

What happens if the frontal lobes are damaged?

A

An inability to plan and carry out a sequence of actions - individuals struggle to look into the future and consider the consequences of their actions
Individuals tend to be apathetic and emotionless

48
Q

Where is the prefrontal cortex located?

A

The front of the frontal lobes

49
Q

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex?

A

It is the seat of the executive functions

50
Q

What are executive functions?

A

Mental abilities that allow people to direct their behaviour in an adaptive fashion

51
Q

What happens if the prefrontal cortex is damaged?

A

Individuals have problems planning strategically, controlling their impulses and setting goals
Poor judgement
Impulsivity

52
Q

Who is a famous case of damage to the prefrontal cortex?

A

Phineas Gage

Mind, Brain & Behaviour (17 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions