U3 KA2 - The Cerebral Cortex Flashcards
Function of the hypothalamus
Regulation centre for temperature and water balance in the body
Function of the medulla
Controls unconscious activities such as heart rate and breathing rate
Function of the cerebellum
Controls the balance and coordination of movement
Function of the cerebrum
Controls conscious thought, intelligence, personality and high level functions
What is the cerebral cortex?
The outer layer of the cerebrum
What is the cerebral cortex composed of?
Folded grey matter
What is the function of the folded grey matter that makes up the cerebral cortex?
The folds provide a large surface area to maximise the number of interconnections possible between neurons
What are the abilities of the cerebral cortex?
Can recall memories of previous experiences and alters the behaviour in the light of experience
How does the cerebral cortex recall and act according to memories?
Cerebral cortex receives sensory information from sense organs
Using this information it coordinates voluntary movement, makes decisions and recalls
What is the localisation of function?
The responsibility of each area of the cerebral cortex independently of one another
What is the role of sensory areas in the brain?
Receive information as sensory impulses from the body e.g. sound information through the ears
What is the role of association areas in the brain?
Association areas analyse and interpret impulses received from the sensory impulses. The association areas then decide upon any necessary action.
What do the Association Areas do once deciding upon a response?
Then they pass the impulse onto the motor areas to initiate a response
What is the Role of Motor Areas in the brain?
Motor areas receive information from the association areas to action the desired response. this action results in the coordination of a voluntary movement
How is the cerebrum divided
The right hemisphere and the left hemisphere
