AP Psychology Summer Assignment

Summer assignment for AP Psychology over different brain parts and their functions.

cerebral cortex

Also known as gray matter.

lies on top of the cerebrum

outermost layer of the brain

processes large amounts of information

6 layers of nerve cells

grooves called sulci, raised area gyri

4 lobes, each used to process different types of information

Thalamus

Located on top of the brainstem in the middle brain

Known as the "sensory switchboard"

directs sensory messages to receiving areas in the cortex and directs responses to the medulla and cerebellum

Hearing, taste, touch, sight, but not smell

All sensory information must pass through the thalamus

corpus callosum

Structure in the middle brain the connects right and left hemispheres

made up of fibers that help the two sides communicate

help coordinate senses, movement, and cognitive function

Hypothalamus

lies below the thalamus

directs maintenance activities

helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland

linked to emotion and reward

Reacts to messages to keep your body stable

works with automatic nerve system

manages mood, body temp, blood pressure, hunger, thirst , fullness, and sleep

Hippocampus

a neutral center in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage

turns short term memories into long term memories

helps you learn about your environment (spatial memory)

located on left and right side of the brain

pituitary gland

Endocrine system most influential gland

under influence of the hypothalamus

regulates growth

in charge of making several essential hormones

divided into two main sections - anterior pituitary (front) and posterior pituitary (back)

Midbrain

A small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory information and relays it upward.

Top most part of the brain stem.

Motor control, eye movement, vision, and hearing.

Pons

A brain structure that relays information from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain.

Second lowest section of your brainstem, above the medulla.

merging point for your cranial nerves.

influences sleep and arousal.

links brain to spinal cord.

Medulla

Automatically controls functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

Located right above the spinal cord, just under the pons.

Brainstem

the oldest part and central core of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull; the brainstem is responsible for automatic survival functions.

Includes the medulla, pons, and midbrain.

spinal cord

Nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain.

"Information Highway"

Cerebellum

A large structure of the hindbrain that controls fine motor skills.

Helps the brain remember how to perform actions

Plays a role in things that involve practice, like playing an instrument.