The Brain

Question 1

Three main parts of the brain

Answer 1

Forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain

Question 2

Parts of the forebrain

Answer 2

Cerebral cortex, thalamus, limbic system

Question 3

Cerebral cortex

Answer 3

• Makes up 80% of the human brain
• involved with: thought, planning, perception, and consciousness
• Divided into two hemispheres, each hemisphere has four lobes

Question 4

The four lobes of the cerebral cortex

Answer 4

Frontal: Attention, planning, thinking creativity
Houses the primary motor area
The primary motor area sends signals to the CNS

Parietal: Sensation and perception of touch
Houses the somatosensory cortex

Temporal: Strong role in hearing
Houses the primary auditory cortex

Occipital: Strong role in vision
Houses primary visual cortex

Question 5

Thalamus

Answer 5

• Relay center of the brain

- All messages to the primary sensory areas first go through the thalamus

Question 6

Limbic System

Answer 6

Hippocampus: role in learning and memory
** think taxi driver

Hypothalamus: master of major drives ( hunger, thirst,
sexual behavior)
Controls the pituitary gland

Amygdala: processes emotional info, especially fear

Cingulate gyrus: role in attention and cognitive control

Basal Ganglia : role in voluntary motion

Nucleus Accumbens: Part of the basal ganglia
Role in reward

Question 7

Midbrain

Answer 7

• Controls eye muscles
• Processes visual and auditory info
• Involved with voluntary movement

Question 8

Hindbrain

Answer 8

Pons: REM sleep
bridge

Medulla: automatic reflexes
breathing
heart rate
blood pressure

Cerebellum: “little brain” because part of brain with most
neurons
movement and balance
fine motor skills
learning
language
Integrates sensory info

Question 9

Reticular formation

Answer 9

• Network of nerves that run through the hindbrain and the midbrain
• important in arousal (waking up and falling asleep)

Question 10

Parts of the brainstem

Answer 10

• midbrain
• pons
• medulla