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šŸ§  The Brain: Major Parts and Their Functions

1. Brainstem

  • Medulla: Controls vital functions like heartbeat and breathing.

  • Pons: Coordinates movement and plays a role in sleep.

  • Reticular Formation: Regulates alertness and attention.

2. Cerebellum

  • Helps with balance, coordination, and fine motor movement.

  • Sometimes called the "little brain."

3. Limbic System

  • Amygdala: Processes emotions like fear and aggression.

  • Hippocampus: Essential for forming new memories.

  • Hypothalamus: Regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sexual behavior; controls the pituitary gland.

4. Cerebral Cortex

  • Outer layer of the brain; involved in higher-level thinking, planning, and decision-making.

  • Divided into lobes:

āž¤ Frontal Lobe

  • Controls reasoning, planning, problem-solving, and parts of speech.

  • Contains motor cortex and Brocaā€™s area (speech production).

āž¤ Parietal Lobe

  • Processes touch and sensory information.

  • Contains somatosensory cortex.

āž¤ Temporal Lobe

  • Processes auditory information.

  • Contains Wernickeā€™s area (language comprehension).

āž¤ Occipital Lobe

  • Responsible for vision.

ƘĀ  Corpus Collosum

  • Connects the right and left hemisphere.

šŸ§¬ The Nervous System: Structure and Function

1. Central Nervous System (CNS)

  • Made up of the brain and spinal cord.

  • Processes and interprets sensory information.

2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

  • All nerves outside the CNS.

  • Connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

āž¤ Somatic Nervous System

  • Controls voluntary muscle movements.

āž¤ Autonomic Nervous System

  • Controls involuntary functions (e.g., heartbeat, digestion).

    • Sympathetic Division: "Fight or flight" response.

    • Parasympathetic Division: "Rest and digest" response.

šŸ§© Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Neuron Structure

  • Dendrites: Receive signals.

  • Cell Body (Soma): Processes information.

  • Axon: Sends signals away.

  • Myelin Sheath: Speeds up transmission.

  • Axon Terminals: Release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Neurotransmitters

  • Dopamine: Linked to pleasure and movement.

  • Serotonin: Affects mood, hunger, and sleep.

  • Acetylcholine (ACh): Important for muscle action and memory.

  • Norepinephrine: Involved in alertness and arousal.

  • Endorphins: Natural painkillers.

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