Overview of Brain Structure and Function

What are the three main regions of the brain?

Hindbrain, Midbrain, and Forebrain.

What is the function of the spinal cord?

It connects the brain to the rest of the body, acting as an information highway.

What are the components of the brain stem?

The brain stem includes the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.

What happens if the brain stem is damaged?

Damage to the brain stem can cause death as it controls autonomic functions.

What is the role of the medulla oblongata?

It regulates the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and controls autonomic functions.

What is the function of the pons?

The pons serves as a bridge between different areas of the nervous system, connecting the medulla with the cerebellum and helping to coordinate movement.

What does the Reticular Activating System (RAS) regulate?

The RAS regulates arousal, alertness, and sleep-wake cycles, stimulating other brain structures when important events occur.

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements, posture, balance, refines motor skills, and plays a role in cognitive functions.

What is the largest part of the brain?

The cerebrum.

What are the two hemispheres of the cerebrum responsible for?

They deal with complex thoughts and are divided into four lobes.

What is the cerebral cortex?

The cerebral cortex is the thin outer layer of gray matter covering the brain, consisting of billions of nerve cells.

What is the function of the corpus callosum?

The corpus callosum is a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres, allowing them to communicate.

What are the four lobes of the brain?

Frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe.

What does the frontal lobe deal with?

Higher level thinking, including foresight, judgment, speech, and complex thought.

What is Broca's area and its significance?

Broca's area, found in the left hemisphere, is crucial for language production and controlling speech muscle movements; damage can cause Broca's Aphasia.

What is the function of the parietal lobe?

It receives and processes sensory information.

What does the somatosensory cortex do?

It processes touch, pressure, temperature, and body position.

What is the homunculus?

The homunculus is a representation of the amount of brain area dedicated to different body parts.

What is the main function of the temporal lobe?

It processes auditory and linguistic information, recognizes faces, and helps with memory.

What role does the hippocampus play in the brain?

The hippocampus is involved in learning and forming memories.

What is the function of the amygdala?

The amygdala is responsible for emotional reactions.

What does the auditory cortex process?

The auditory cortex processes sounds that we hear.

What is Wernicke's area and its role?

Wernicke's area, located in the left temporal lobe, helps us add meaning to speech; damage can lead to Wernicke's Aphasia.

What is the occipital lobe responsible for?

The occipital lobe processes visual information.

What is the thalamus known as and what is its function?

The thalamus is known as the relay station; it receives sensory information (except smell) and relays it to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.

What is the limbic system and what does it include?

The limbic system deals with emotions, learning, memory, and basic drives; it includes the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus.

What does the hypothalamus help regulate?

The hypothalamus helps maintain homeostasis and controls drives such as thirst, hunger, temperature, and sex.

What is the function of the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland produces and releases hormones that regulate many bodily functions and control other endocrine glands.

What is brain lateralization?

Brain lateralization refers to the differing functions of the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

What are the characteristics of the left hemisphere?

The left hemisphere is better at recognizing words, letters, and interpreting language.

What are the characteristics of the right hemisphere?

The right hemisphere excels in spatial concepts, facial recognition, and judging direction.

What did Phineas Gage's accident reveal about the brain?

Phineas Gage's accident helped researchers understand the role of the limbic system in personality.

What is the split-brain procedure?

The split-brain procedure involves cutting the corpus callosum to treat severe epilepsy, allowing researchers to study cortical specialization.

What are lesion studies?

Lesion studies involve destroying parts of the brain to gain insight into different brain functions.

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change, modify, and repair itself, creating neural pathways as we learn and practice skills.

What do EEG and fMRI techniques measure?

EEG measures electrical signals from neurons, while fMRI shows metabolic functions and provides detailed images of brain activity.