brain areas and neurotransmitters

thalamus

switchboard for sensory information

medulla

base of brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

reticular formation

a nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal

cerebellum

the little brain that processes sensory input and coordinates movement output and balance

amygdala

almond-shaped cluster in the limbic system; linked to emotion

hippocampus

part of the limbic system linked to memory

corpus callosum

axon fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres

hypothalamus

controls maintenance functions such as eating, thirst, body temp, and sexual behavior

frontal lobe

lies behind the forehead, involved in speaking and muscle movements, and making plans/judgments

temporal lobe

lies roughly behind the ears, and includes auditory areas

parietal lobes

lies at the top of the head toward the rear; receives sensory input for touch and body position

occipital lobes

lies at the back of the head; includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

broca's area

produce speech, organizes words, frontal lobe, output system

wernicke's area

understanding speech, written language, input system

acetylcholine

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention and emotion

serotonin

affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal

GABA

a major inhibitory transmitter

glutamate

a major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory