The Brain

  • The Central Nervous System includes the Brain and the Spinal Cord. While the Peripheral Nervous System included the rest of the body when it comes to nerves.

Somatic Nervous System

  • carries info from sensory parts to CNS

  • The CNS processes that info to understand what is happening around us

Autonomic Nervous System

  • lets involuntary movements occur

  • has two divisions

  • the sympathetic, which arouses the body during emergencies

  • and the parasympathetic, which calms down your body after an emergency

The brain is composed of three parts

Hindbrain (bottom)

  • primary function is to coordinate info coming in and out of the spinal cord. Also controls functions essential to life

Contains:

Medulla — Extension of the spinal cord that coordinates heart rate, circulation, and respiration

Reticular Formation — regulates sleep, wakefulness, and levels of arousal

Cerebellum — controls fine motor skills; plays a role in learning and remembering certain types of knowledge and skills

Pons — relays info from the cerebellum and the rest of the brain

Midbrain (middle and tiny)

  • responsible for visual and auditory

Contains:

Tectum — visual and auditory reflexes

Tegmentum — initiates movement and some aspects of arousal (mental alertness)

Forebrain (top and big)

  • responsible for the CNS and most complex functions

Contains:

Thalamus — receives and transmits info from senses to cerebral cortex

Pituitary Gland — primary gland in endocrine system (controlled by hypothalamus)

Hypothalamus — regulates body temp and motivational urges

Amygdala — at tips of each side of the hippocampus; plays central role in emotional process

Hippocampus — critical for creating new memories

Basal Ganglia — direct intentional movements