The central nervous system Flashcards
What is the role of the nervous system?
- Monitors and co-ordinates internal organ function
- Responds to changes in the external environment
What two parts is the nervous system divided into?
- Central
- Peripheral
What two organs make up the CNS?
- Brain
- Spinal cord
What is the outer layer of the brain called?
The cerebral cortex
Where are the subcortical structures of the brain found?
Below the cerebral cortex
Name the 6 subcortical structures
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Amygdala
- Hippocampus
- Cerebellum
- Corpus callosum
What is the limbic system and what is its role?
Consists of several subcortical structures and is highly interconnected with areas of the cerebral cortex
- Plays a large role in regulating emotional responses such as aggression
- Plays a role in memory and learning
What is the function of the thalamus?
Recieves information and passes this information to the appropriate areas of the brain to be processed
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
- Regulates hunger, thirst, sleep and sex
- Regulates the production of hormones and regulates body temperature
What is the function of the amygdala?
Handles emotional responses such as anger and fear
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Allows for the formation of new memories
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Controls balance, movement and posture
What is the function of the corpus callosum?
It connectes the left and right hemispheres of the brain together
What does the corpus callosum allow the left and right hemispheres of the brain to do?
Allows them to communicate with each other
What is brain lateralisation?
Different sides of the brain have different functions
What is an example of brain lateralisation?
The left side of the brain controls most of the right side of the body
The right side of the brain controls most of the left side of the body
What is brain localisation?
Within a hemisphere, certains areas are responsible for specific functions and behaviours
What is an example of brain localisation?
Broca’s area
- A small area in the left frontal lobe responsible for speech production
- Damage to this area causes Broca’s aphasia which consists of slow and unfluent speech
What are the 4 lobes of the cerebral cortex?
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Occipital lobe
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
Control functions such as thinking, planning, problem-solving and decision-making
- Plays a role in handling aggression
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
Processes language and sensory information
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
Deals with sound information by processing the location, volume and pitch of sounds
- Plays a role in understanding language
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
Processes visual information
- Visual memory
- Visual perception
- Spatial awareness
