LSUE BIO1160 Hamlin Chapter 14 Exam 3 (Brain)

What is the role of hormone secretion in the anterior pituitary?

It regulates growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress responses.

What is the major integrating center for the autonomic nervous system?

The hypothalamus.

How does the hypothalamus regulate body temperature?

It acts as a thermostat that monitors and adjusts body temperature as necessary.

What is the function of the pineal gland?

It is an endocrine gland that secretes hormones, including melatonin.

What is the cerebral cortex?

A layer of gray matter (2-3 mm thick) covering the surface of the brain's hemispheres.

What are stellate cells?

Spheroidal cell bodies with short axons and dendrites that receive sensory input and process information locally.

What are pyramidal cells?

Tall, conical neurons with axons that project into the white matter below, serving as output neurons connecting the cortex to other CNS parts.

Where is the cingulate gyrus located?

It arches over the corpus callosum in the frontal and parietal lobes.

What is the hippocampus's role in the brain?

It is crucial for memory storage and retrieval.

What is anterograde amnesia?

The inability to store new information after an injury.

What is retrograde amnesia?

The inability to recall information known before an injury.

What is the primary sensory cortex responsible for?

It is where sensory input is first received and one becomes conscious of the stimulus.

What are the special senses?

Vision, hearing, equilibrium, taste, and smell.

Where is the primary visual cortex located?

In the far posterior region of the occipital lobe.

What does the visual association area do?

It borders the primary visual cortex and occupies the remaining occipital lobe.

Where is the primary auditory cortex found?

In the superior region of the temporal lobe.

What is the function of the auditory association area?

It recognizes spoken words, music, and voices.

What is the primary gustatory cortex responsible for?

It receives taste signals and is located at the inferior end of the postcentral gyrus.

Where is the primary olfactory cortex located?

In the medial cortex of the temporal lobe, receiving smell signals.

What is somatotopy?

The point-to-point correspondence between an area of the body and an area of the CNS.

What is the role of the motor association (premotor) area?

It is where the intention to contract a muscle begins.

What are upper motor neurons?

Pyramidal cells of the precentral gyrus that send signals to lower motor neurons.

What are dyskinesias?

Movement disorders caused by lesions in the basal nuclei that involve abnormal movement initiation.

What is the function of the posterior speech area (Wernicke area)?

It is involved in the recognition of spoken and written language.

What does the motor language area (Broca area) do?

It generates motor programs for speech and signing, located in the inferior prefrontal cortex.

What is aphasia?

Any language deficit resulting from lesions in Wernicke or Broca areas.

What is cerebral lateralization?

The difference in structure and function between the two cerebral hemispheres.

What are sensory nerves (CN 1, 2, and 8) responsible for?

They carry signals only from outlying sense organs to the brain.

What is the function of motor nerves (CN 3, 4, 6, 11, and 12)?

They stimulate muscles and contain proprioception fibers.

What are mixed nerves (CN 5, 7, 9, 10)?

Nerves that have both sensory and motor functions, such as the facial nerve.

What does functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measure?

It looks at increases in blood flow to an area, indicating brain activity.