Unit 1A Sec 2 -Brain Structures and Functions

Question 1

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 1

the outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher level cognitive functions, including thinking, perceiving, and decision making
-highly folded to increase it’s surface area, allowing for complex neural processing + integration of info

Question 2

Lobes of the brain

Answer 2

the lobes of the brain refer to the four main regions/sections into which the cerebral cortex (outer layer of brain) divided

Question 3

Association areas

Answer 3

they are parts of the brain that take info from all over the place (sense ,smell, touch) put it together to help us understand the world around us

Question 4

Frontal lobes

Answer 4

located at the front of brain and are involved in higher level cognitive functioning (problem solving, decision making, planning and personality expression)

Question 5

Prefrontal cortex

Answer 5

a reigion of brain located in the frontal lobe,responsible for higher level cognitive functions, and executive functioning

Question 6

Executive funtioning

Answer 6

set of cogntive proccess that enable induviuals to plan,organize, stratergize,focus attention, regulate emotions and manage time efficiently

Question 7

Motor cortex

Answer 7

region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for planning, executing and controlling voluntary movements of the body
- send signals to the muscles, allowing us to perform actions like walking, talking and grasping objects

Question 8

Parietal lobes

Answer 8

located at the top of the brain and are mostly responsible for processing sensory information from the body such as touch, spatial awareness and temperature

Question 9

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 9

region of brain located in the parietal lobe responsible for processing information from the skin, muscles and joints
- interprets touch, pressure, temperature and pain signals, lets us perceive and respond to sensory stimuli

Question 10

occipital lobe

Answer 10

located at the back of the brain and is mainly responsible for processing visual info received from the eyes
- contains the primary visual cortex which interprets visual stimuli and perceive shapes, colors and motion

Question 11

Temporal lobe

Answer 11

located on the sides of the brain and involved in processing auditory information ,language comprehension, and memory formation
- contain auditory cortex(interprets signals and sounds from the ears)

Question 12

Corpus Callosum

Answer 12

thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemisphere of brain, facilitating communication and info between the two hemispheres

Question 13

Brainstem

Answer 13

the oldest and most primitive part of the brain, responsible for life sustaining functions, (breathing, heart rate, sleep wake cycles)
- pathway for neural signals traveling between the brain and the rest of the body, connecting the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord

Question 14

Medulla

Answer 14

vital structure located at the base of the brainstem; regulates essential autonomic functions(heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure)
- serves as a relay station for nerve signals traveling between the brain and the spinal cord; controls involuntary bodily process crucial for survival

Question 15

Reticular activating system( a a)

Answer 15

a network of neuron’s located in the brainstem that plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciences
- filters sensory info and modulates overall brain activity, helping to maintain alertness and wakefulness

Question 16

Limbic system(emm)

Answer 16

located under the cerebral cortex, is a set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory and motivation

Question 17

Reward system

Answer 17

network of brain structures ,primarily located in the limbic system; processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors associated with them

Question 18

Thalamus

Answer 18

a relay station in the brain; processes and relays sensory info(sight ,sound, touch ,taste) to the cerebral cortex
- acts as gateway for sensory input ,directing input to the appropriate areas of the brain for further processing

Question 19

Hypothalamus(survival)

Answer 19

small put powerful structure located below the thalamus, responsible for regulating various important bodily functions(huger, thirst, body temp ,sleep wake cycle)
- control center for helping maintain homeostasis in body

Question 20

Pituitary gland

Answer 20

small pea sized gland, located at the base of the brain, referred to as the master gland because of its central role in regulating hormone production and secretion throughout the body
- plays a critical role in coordinating hormonal activity + maintaining homeostasis in the body

Question 21

Hippocampus(if you saw a hippo on campus, you would remember it)

Answer 21

Curved structure located within the brain’s temporal lobes, primarily responsible for forming + consolidating new memories

Question 22

Amygdala (dala=danger)

Answer 22

small, almond shaped structure located deep within the brain’s temporal lobes, involved in processing emotions (fear+ aggression)
- plays crucial role in the brain’s threat detection system; triggers the body’s fight or flight response in response to what you assume as danger