Overview of Brain Structure and Function

Brain Weight

Weighs approximately 3 pounds.

Energy Consumption

Uses 20% of body's energy.

Neuron Connections

Each neuron forms about 10,000 connections.

Cerebrum

Largest brain part; handles thoughts and emotions.

Cerebellum

Controls motor functions, coordination, and balance.

Brainstem

Connects brain to spinal cord; regulates life functions.

Cognitive Functions

Includes perception, memory, language, and problem-solving.

Plasticity

Brain's ability to reorganize during learning.

Lateralization

Cognitive functions are often hemisphere-specific.

Left Hemisphere

Associated with language and analytical thinking.

Right Hemisphere

Linked to creativity and spatial abilities.

Corpus Callosum

Connects left and right brain hemispheres.

Frontal Lobe

Involved in reasoning, planning, and personality.

Broca's Area

Located in left frontal lobe; speech production.

Wernicke's Area

Located in temporal lobe; language comprehension.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory input like touch and temperature.

Temporal Lobes

Responsible for sound processing and memory.

Occipital Lobes

Primary area for visual processing.

Cortical Blindness

Blindness due to brain injury.

Visual Agnosia

Difficulty recognizing familiar objects despite normal vision.

Limbic System

Involved in emotion, behavior, and long-term memory.

Amygdala

Processes emotions, especially fear.

Hippocampus

Converts short-term memories into long-term.

Thalamus

Relay station for sensory and motor signals.

Hypothalamus

Regulates autonomic functions and hormones.

Cingulate Gyrus

Links emotions to behavior and memory.

Medulla Oblongata

Controls involuntary life-sustaining functions.

Pons

Bridge between different nervous system parts.

Neurons

Fundamental units transmitting information in the body.

Action Potential

Brief electrical charge traveling down an axon.

Synapse

Junction where neurotransmitters transfer signals.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses.

Reuptake

Process of reabsorbing neurotransmitters into sending neurons.

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, and emotional responses.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Enables muscle action and memory.

Serotonin

Regulates mood, hunger, and sleep.

GABA

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Agonists

Mimic neurotransmitter effects on receptors.

Antagonists

Block neurotransmitter action at receptor sites.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects CNS to the rest of the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary internal organ functions.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

Sensory Neurons

Carry incoming information to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Carry outgoing information from the CNS.

Glial Cells

Support cells for neurons in the nervous system.

Endocrine System

Body's slow chemical communication system via hormones.

Pituitary Gland

Master gland regulating other glands' hormones.

Pineal Gland

Secretes melatonin, influencing sleep/wake cycles.

Adrenal Glands

Secrete hormones during stress and emotions.

Pancreas

Regulates blood sugar levels by producing insulin.

Gonads

Sex glands regulating development and reproduction.