The Brain Flashcards
What is the primary function of the brain?
To coordinate and control body activities and processes.
Fill in the blank: The brain is divided into ___ main parts.
three
What are the three main parts of the brain?
Forebrain, Midbrain, Hindbrain
What is the role of the cerebrum?
Responsible for higher brain functions such as thought, action, and emotion.
Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing?
The hindbrain
What is the function of the cerebellum?
To coordinate voluntary movements and maintain posture and balance.
The _______________ is involved in sensory perception and motor control.
Cerebral cortex
What is the function of the brainstem?
To control basic life functions such as heartbeat and breathing.
Fill in the blank: The amygdala is primarily involved in ___ processing.
emotion
What is neuroplasticity?
The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.
Which part of the brain is associated with memory formation?
The hippocampus
What is the role of the thalamus?
To relay sensory information to the appropriate areas of the brain.
The left hemisphere of the brain is primarily responsible for _____________.
Language, logic, step-by-step thinking
What is the corpus callosum?
A band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Fill in the blank: The ___ lobe is responsible for processing visual information.
occipital
What does the frontal lobe control?
Higher cognitive functions, including reasoning, planning, and problem-solving. Voluntary skeletal muscle movements through the primary motor cortex.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation?
Serotonin
What is the role of dopamine in the brain?
Involved in reward, motivation, and motor control.
Fill in the blank: The ___ system is involved in the brain’s reward and pleasure centers.
limbic
What is a synapse?
The junction between two neurons where communication occurs.
What is the function of glial cells?
To support and protect neurons in the brain.
Fill in the blank: The ___ is the outermost layer of the brain.
cerebral cortex
What is the primary role of the parietal lobe?
To process sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.
What is the primary function of the brain?
To process sensory information and initiate behavioural responses to the environment.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.
cerebral cortex
Which part of the brain is associated with emotion and memory?
The limbic system.
What is neuroplasticity?
The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.
Which structure is known as the ‘gateway to the cortex’?
Thalamus.
What role does the frontal lobe play in behavior?
It is involved in decision making, problem-solving, and planning (executive functions).
Fill in the blank: The __________ lobe is primarily responsible for processing visual information.
occipital
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation?
Serotonin.
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
It processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain and has a role in spatial awareness and visual attention.
Fill in the blank: The __________ system is involved in the regulation of emotions.
limbic
What is the role of the amygdala?
It processes emotions, particularly fear and pleasure.
Which part of the brain is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements?
Cerebellum.
What is the role of the hippocampus?
It is crucial for the formation of new memories.
Which part of the brain regulates body temperature and hunger?
Hypothalamus
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the outer layer of the brain that is involved in complex thought.
cerebral cortex
What is the function of the corpus callosum?
It connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Which area of the brain is responsible for language comprehension?
Wernicke’s area.
What is an action potential?
A brief electrical impulse that travels down an axon.
What is the role of myelin?
It insulates the axon, thereby speeding up neural transmission.
Fill in the blank: The __________ lobe is responsible for auditory processing.
temporal
What is the role of glial cells?
To support and protect neurons.
Which neurotransmitter is associated with the fight-or-flight response?
Norepinephrine.
What is the function of the brain’s reward system?
To reinforce behaviors that are essential for survival and reproduction.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is responsible for the regulation of circadian rhythms.
suprachiasmatic nucleus
What is the significance of the prefrontal cortex?
It is involved in complex behaviors such as planning and social interaction.
What are the two main types of cells in the nervous system?
Neurons and glial cells.
What is contralateral organization?
The principle that the left side of the brain receives sensory input from, and sends motor commands to, the right side of the body and vice versa.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is involved in the regulation of thirst and hunger.
hypothalamus
What is the primary role of the occipital lobe?
To process visual information.
What does the term ‘lateralization’ refer to?
The specialization of function in each hemisphere of the brain.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is a part of the limbic system that plays a key role in memory.
hippocampus
What is the role of the thalamus?
To relay sensory information to the appropriate areas of the brain.
Which area of the brain is primarily responsible for motor control?
Primary motor cortex of the frontal lobe.
What does the term ‘synapse’ refer to?
The junction between two neurons where communication occurs.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is involved in the processing of auditory information.
temporal lobe
What is the function of the primary somatosensory cortex?
To process sensory input from the skin and joints.
Which neurotransmitter is known for its role in pleasure and reward?
Dopamine.
What is the role of the brain’s executive functions?
To manage cognitive processes such as attention, inhibition, working memory, planning and decision making.
Which part of the brain is involved in maintaining balance and coordination?
The cerebellum
Fill in the blank: The __________ lobe is essential for integrating sensory information.
parietal
What is the primary function of the brain’s limbic system?
To regulate emotions and memory.
Multiple Choice: Which brain structure is involved in the formation of new memories?
Hippocampus.
What is the role of the basal ganglia?
To control voluntary motor movements and procedural learning.
Fill in the blank: The __________ connects the brain to the spinal cord.
brainstem
What is executive functioning?
A set of cognitive processes that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.
Which part of the brain is crucial for language production?
Broca’s area.
What is the function of the primary visual cortex?
To process visual stimuli.
Which hemisphere is more involved in creative tasks?
The right hemispere.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is a structure in the brain that helps regulate emotions.
amygdala
What is the primary role of the corpus callosum?
To facilitate communication between the left and right hemispheres.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with alertness and arousal?
Norepinephrine.
