The Human Brain

Question 1

Cerebrum

Answer 1

The part of the brain that controls conscious behavior

- largest part of the human brain

Question 2

Cortex

Answer 2

Outer layer

- contains millions of cells with fibres and sends messages to other brain areas

Question 3

Frontal Lobe of cerebrum

Answer 3

Top region

• Used for personality, emotions, high thinking skills, problem solving, reasoning, judgement and controlling movement
• Continues to develop until mid 20s

Question 4

Temporal lobe of cerebrum

Answer 4

Lower side region

• Processes hearing and other senses, helps language and reading
• memory

Question 5

Parietal Lobe of cerebrum

Answer 5

Middle lobe (upper rear of head)
- Involved with senses, attention, language, important sensory centres

Question 6

Occiptial Lobe of cerebrum

Answer 6

Back of cerebral hemisphere

• Helps eyes see-> recognition of shapes and colours
• Centers visions and reading ability

Question 7

Thalamus

Answer 7

Center of brain

• Relays sensory and motor information to the cortex
• Helps with consciousness, sleep and alertness

Question 8

Cerebellum

Answer 8

Lower part of brain

- Motor control, coordination, spatial navigation, posture, balance, muscle coordination

Question 9

Pons

Answer 9

Part of brain stem

• Helps control breathing
• Message station between several areas of the brain
• Relays messages form the cortex and cerebellum

Question 10

Medulla Oblongata

Answer 10

Lowest section of the brainstem (top end of spinal cord)

- Regulates heart, automatic functions and other body reflexes-> vomiting, coughing, sneezing, swallowing, heartbeat

Question 11

Corpus callosum

Answer 11

Region at the back of each cerebral hemisphere

• Allows communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.
• It is responsible for transmitting neural messages between both the right and left hemispheres.

Question 12

Pituitary gland

Answer 12

Base of the brain

• Secretes hormones
• Controls growth, body temperature, pregnancy and child birth

Question 13

Spinal Cord

Answer 13

Bundle of nerve cells

- Information (nerve impulses) reaching the spinal cord through sensory neurons are transmitted up into the brain.

Question 14

Limbic system

Answer 14

Under the cortex

• Processes emotions and drives.
• Contain brain’s rewards circuit -> releases dopamine (feel pleasure)
• Eating, having fun, falling in love, risky behavior

Question 15

Cranial nerves

Answer 15

• Carry information from senses to and from brain and the body
• 12 pairs

Question 16

Amygdala

Answer 16

• Processes emotions

Question 17

Pineal gland

Answer 17

• Controls sleep and circadian rhythms

Question 18

Hypothalamus

Answer 18

• Wakes people up, gives adrenaline