Brain Anatomy - Biological Processes

Reticular formation (Hindbrain)

Controls sleep and consciousness.

Cerebellum (Hindbrain)

Controls complex motor coordination like balance and talking.

Hypothalamus (Forebrain)

Is involved with hunger, thirst, temperature, hormones, and pleasure.

Cerebral cortex (Higher level processing)

Processes complex material like language, problem solving, personality, recognition, and logic.

Frontal lobe

The lobe at the front of the brain associated with movement, speech, and problem solving.

Medulla/pons (Hindbrain)

Controls blood pressure, breathing, and swallowing.

Superior Colliculus (Midbrain)

Receives visual information.

Inferior Colliculus (Midbrain)

Receives auditory information.

Limbic system (Forebrain)

Controls emotional behaviour.

Amygdala

Controls feeling of fear, aggression, and joy.

Hippocampus

Involved with memory functioning.

Olfactory bulb

Controls the processing of smell.

Brain Hemispheres

Two halves of the brain, further divided into four lobes.

Corpus Callosum

Communication bridge between the halves of the brain.

Temporal lobe

The lobe at the temples that processes auditory information and language.

Parietal lobe

Receives information of body awareness, sense of touch, and attention.

Occipital lobe

Processes visual information into mental images, coordinates with parietal and temporal lobe for object recognition.

Contralaterally

One side of the brain communicates with the opposite side of the body.

Hormones

Chemical substances that carry messages through the body in blood.

Endocrine System

Hormones in the blood stream that act like Neurotransmitters.

Pituitary Gland

Part of the endocrine system, produces testosterone.

Testosterone

Hormone in charge of physical growth.

Adrenal Gland

Produces adrenaline.

Adrenaline

Hormone in charge of fight or flight responses.

Pineal Gland

Produces melatonin.

Melatonin

Hormone in charge of preparing the body for sleep.

Hereditary Genes

Genetic code from our parents.

Mutations

Genetic code from random genetic changes.

Reproductive Fitness

Certain brain changes result in behaviours that allow us to live longer and have more offspring.

Chromosomes

Hold genetic information.

Phenotypes

Observable genetic traits.