Week 4: Biological Bases of Behaviour: The Brain

Question 1

What are the two parts of the Autonomic Nervous System?

Answer 1

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic systems

Question 2

Autonomic Nervous System: What is the role of the Sympathetic system?

Answer 2

Activates in response to threats, initiates “fight or flight” response.

Question 3

Autonomic Nervous System: What is the role of the Parasympathetic system?

Answer 3

Supports basic bodily functions while at rest e.g. digestion, regulating heart rate etc. Also known as the “Rest and Digest” system.

Question 4

Brain Anatomy: Name the part of the brain which connects the left and right hemispheres.

Answer 4

Corpus Callosum

Question 5

Brain Anatomy: What is the role of the Occipital Lobe?

Answer 5

Processes visual information

Question 6

Brain Anatomy: What is the role of the Parietal Lobe?

Answer 6

Processes tactile information (touch)

Question 7

Brain Anatomy: Which part of the brain processes auditory information?

Answer 7

Temporal Lobe

Question 8

Brain Anatomy: Which part of the brain is responsible for higher order thinking?

Answer 8

Frontal Lobe

Question 9

Brain Anatomy: What is the role of the Prefrontal Cortex?

Answer 9

Involved in cognitive control, helps orchestrate thought and action.

Question 10

Brain Anatomy: Name three components of the Hindbrain

Answer 10

Medulla, Cerebellum and Reticular Formation

Question 11

Brain Anatomy: Name two components of the Midbrain

Answer 11

Tectum and Tegmentum

Question 12

Brain Anatomy: Name the four lobes of the Brain

Answer 12

Frontal, Temporal, Occipital and Parietal

Question 13

Explain “Neuroplasticity”

Answer 13

The way the neural structure of the brain changes in response to environmental and behavioural influences.

Question 14

What is the role of “Broca’s area”?

Answer 14

Controls movement of the mouth and tongue for speech.

Question 15

What is the role of “Wernicke’s area”?

Answer 15

Allows understanding and creation of coherent sentences.