Q

AP PSYCH 2.6 The Brain

Parts of the Brain

Brainstem

  • Handles automatic function
  • Controls primal processes
  • Everything essential for life

Medulla

  • At base of the brainstem
  • Responsible for breathing and heart beating

Pons

  • Handles muscle movement
  • Basic movement control
  • Reflex
  • Involuntary movement
  • Arousal
  • Helps communicate between the cerebellum and forebrain

Reticular Formation

  • A nerve network in the brainstem
  • Controls arousal
  • Damage to this causes narcolepsy

Cerebellum

  • "Little Brain" at rear of brainstem
  • Coordinates voluntary movement and balance
  • Implicit/procedural memory like walking

Limbic System

  • Neural structures between brainstem and cerebellum
  • Associated with primal emotions like fear and aggression
  • Drives for food and sex

Amygdala

  • 2 bean sized neural clusters
  • Emotions such as fear and anger
    • All emotions to an extent

Thalamus

  • Sensory switchboard/call center
  • On top of brainstem
  • Directs messages to sensory areas
  • Transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla

Hypothalamus

  • Directs maintenance activities like eating, drinking, body temperature
  • Control of emotions
  • Stimulates or inhibits pituitary gland

Hippocampus

  • Works with amygdala to regulate emotions
  • Primary function is moving short term memories to long term

Cerebral Cortex

  • Intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that cover the hemispheres

Frontal Lobe

  • Reasoning, planning, emotions, problem solving, impulse control
  • Parts of speech
  • Movement

Parietal Lobe

  • Movement, orientation
  • Recognition, perception, understanding

Temporal Lobe

  • Perception, memory
  • Speech, facial recognition
  • Auditory stimuli

Occipital Lobe

  • Visual processing