Brain Structures and Functions Study Guide

Brainstem

The oldest and most primitive part of the brain, responsible for basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep-wake cycles. It serves as a pathway for neural signals traveling between the brain and the rest of the body, connecting the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord.

Medulla Oblongata

Vital structure located at the base of the brainstem, regulating essential autonomic functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.

It serves as a relay station for nerve signals traveling between the brain and spinal cord, controlling involuntary bodily processes crucial for survival. Also helps regulate aggression.

Thalamus

A relay station in the brain that processes and relays sensory information, such as sight, sound, touch, and taste, to the cerebral cortex.

It acts as a gateway for sensory input, directing signals to the appropriate areas of the brain for further processing.

Reward Center

A network of brain structures, primarily located in the limbic system.

Processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors associated with them.

Reticular Activating System / Reticular Formation

A network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness.

It filters sensory information and modulates overall brain activity, helping to maintain wakefulness and alertness.

Cerebellum

Located at the back of the brain, below the cerebral hemispheres, responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture.

It receives input from sensory systems and other parts of the brain to fine-tune motor movements and ensure smooth coordination.

Limbic System

A set of brain structures located beneath the cerebral cortex.

Involved in emotions, memory, and motivation.

Amygdala

Part of the limbic system: a small, almond-shaped structure located deep within the brain’s temporal lobes, involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression.

It plays a central role in the brain’s threat detection system, triggering the body’s fight-or-flight response in response to perceived danger.

Hypothalamus

Part of the limbic system: a small but powerful structure located below the thalamus, responsible for regulating various essential bodily functions, including hunger, thirst, body temperature, and the sleep-wake cycle.

It serves as a control center helping to maintain homeostasis in the body.

Hippocampus

Part of the limbic system: a curved structure located within the brain’s temporal lobes.

Primarily responsible for forming and consolidating new memories.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, including thinking, perceiving, and decision-making.

Highly folded to increase its surface area, allowing for complex neural processing and integration of information.

Pituitary Gland

A small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, often referred to as the “master gland” due to its central role in regulating hormone production and secretion throughout the body.

Plays a critical role in coordinating hormonal activity and maintaining homeostasis in the body. Critical in the release of HGH (human growth hormone).

Lobes of the Brain

The four main regions or sections into which the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, is divided.

The four lobes are the frontal lobe, the temporal lobe, the parietal lobe, and the occipital lobe

Association Areas

They’re parts of the brain that take information from all over the place - like what we see, hear, smell, and touch.

It puts this information together to help us understand the world around us.

Frontal Lobes

Located at the front of the brain and are involved in higher-level cognitive function, including decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression.

Linguistic processing, muscle movements, executive functioning (planning and judgement), and higher order thinking skills.

Prefrontal Cortex

A region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions and executive functioning (self-control, judgement, and long-term planning).

Executive functioning is a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize, strategize, focus attention, regulate emotions, and manage time effectively.

Motor Cortex

Region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for planning, executing and controlling voluntary movements of the body.

It sends signals to the muscles, enabling us to perform actions such as walking, talking, and grasping object

Parietal Lobes

Located at the top of the brain and are primarily responsible for processing sensory information from the body.

Such as touch, temperature, and spatial awareness

Somatosensory Cortex

The region of the brain located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints.

It interprets touch, pressure, temperature, and pain signals from different parts of the body, allowing us to perceive and respond to sensory stimuli.

The more sensitive a body part, the bigger area of the brain dedicated to that area.

Occipital Lobes

Located at the back of the brain and is primarily responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes.

It contains the primary visual cortex, which interprets visual stimuli and helps us perceive shapes, colors, and motion.

Temporal Lobes

Located on the sides of the brain and are involved in processing auditory information, language comprehension, and memory formation.

They contain the auditory cortex, which interprets sound signals from the ears.

Corpus Callosum

Thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Facilitates communication and information sharing between the two hemispheres.

Contralateral Hemispheric Organization

The phenomenon where each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body.

This means that sensory information received by one side of the body is processed by the opposite hemisphere of the brain.

Hemispheric Specialization

Explored through split brain research, refers to the concept that each hemisphere of the rain has specialized functions and abilities.

This research helps uncover the distinct roles of each hemisphere in tasks such as language processing, spatial awareness, and motor control.

Split Brain Research

Studies individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure called corpus collosotomy, which disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain.

Primarily done as a treatment for severe epilepsy.

Plasticity

Refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt throughout life in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes.

Through processes like synaptic pruning, sprouting of new connections, and changes in neural pathways, the brain can adapt and rewire itself to regain lost functions or learn new ones.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to record the electrical activity of the brain (involves placing electrodes on the scalp to detect and measure the electrical signals produced by neurons in the brain).

Commonly used to diagnose and monitor various neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain injuries.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI)

Neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygen levels.

It provides detailed images of the brain’s structure and function, allowing researchers to observe which areas of the brain are active during specific tasks or stimuli.

Lesioning

Research technique used to study brain function by intentionally damaging or destroying specific areas of the brain in experimental animals.

This can be achieved through methods such as surgical removal, chemical injection, or electrical stimulation.

Wernicke’s Area

Processes and interprets spoken and written language. Converts auditory signals into meaningful words. Retrieves and organizes words to form coherent sentences. Understands the overall meaning and context of language

Broca’s Area

Responsible for speech production and language processing. It plays a crucial role in organizing and producing speech, grammatical processing, and understanding and interpreting language.