Parts of the Brain

Brain Stem The most primitive of the brain’s three major layers. It includes medulla, pons, and reticular formation. Medulla – lower half of brain stem. Contains the cardiac, respiratory, vomiting, and autonomic functions. (breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure) Pons – right above the medulla. Carries the sensory signals up into the thalamus. Reticular Formation – awaking/sleeping cycle. It is essential for governing some of the basic functions of higher organisms.

Thalamus Between the cerebral cortex and midbrain. Relays sensations, special sense and motor signals to the cerebral cortex. Regulation of consciousness.

Cerebellum Region of brain that plays an important role in motor control. Cognitive functions – attention and language. Emotional functions – fear and pleasure Does not initiate movement, but contributes to coordination, precision, and accurate timing.

The Limbic Systems Hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and limbic cortex. Hippocampus – Long term memories Amygdala – Memory and emotion. Fear and aggression. Limbic cortex – role in emotion. Hypothalamus – constantly monitoring the blood to determine condition of body. Regulates thirst, body temperature, fluid levels, and nutrients.

Cerebral Cortex Thin gray-matter covering of the cerebral hemispheres. ¼ inch layer dense with cell bodies. “higher” mental processing Size of brain does not mean intelligence.

Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex Frontal Lobes – cortical regions at the front of brain that are especially involved in movement and thinking. Motor Cortex – narrow vertical strip of cortex in frontal lobes. Controls voluntary movement. Primary Motor Cortex – Controls voluntary movement (Toes, legs, shoulder, hand, index finger, swallowing, chewing)

The Parietal Lobes In the back of the brain. Involved in touch sensation and in perceiving spatial relationships. Somatosensory cortex – a strip involved with sensations of touch. Including pain. (knees, shoulders, hands, fingers, face, lips, etc.)

The Occipital Lobes Region at the back of the brain that controls the visual cortex. So when you bang the back of your head that is why vision can be affected.

The Temporal Lobes Cortical lobes that process sounds, including speech. Also involved in storing long term memories. Also where the function of smell happens. Has a little of the visual in this part as well.

Cerebral dominance The tendency of each brain hemisphere to exert control over different functions, such as language or perception of spatial relationships. Left Brain Right Brain Logical Sequential Random Rational Intuitive Analytical Holistic Synthesizing Objective Subjective Looks at parts Looks at wholes

Hormonal Functions of the Major Endocrine Glands Anterior pituitary Ovaries and testes Breast milk production Metabolism Reactions to stress Posterior pituitary Conservation of water in body Breast milk secretion Uterus contractions

Hormonal Functions of the Major Endocrine Glands Thyroid Metabolism Physical growth and development Parathyroid Calcium levels in body

Hormonal Functions of the Major Endocrine Glands Pancreas Glucose (sugar) metabolism Adrenal glands Fight or Flight response Metabolism Sexual desire (especially in women)

Hormonal Functions of the Major Endocrine Glands Ovaries Development of female sexual characteristics Production of Ova (Eggs) Testes Development of male sexual characteristics Sperm production Sexual desire (in men)

Broca’s Area Controls speech muscles via the motor cortex Located in the Frontal lobe Diction Annunciation

Wernicke’s Area Interprets auditory code Understands language In the Temporal lobes with sound and language understanding

Nature vs. Nurture Genes vs. Environment Mutation – a random errors in gene replication Are we born with certain behaviors? Are do we learn them from the environment? Twin Studies

Sexuality Gender – How a person is defined either male or female. (this can happen genetically or socially) How does each gender view sex? Is it nature or nurture? XX = ? XY = ?

The Nature of Gender What hormones are you born with? Does it make a difference? Does testosterone make men more aggressive?

The Nurture of Gender Gender roles – a way a culture defines the sexes. How does America define a male vs. a female? What happens if a man or woman does not meet societies expectations? How does this affect a person’s gender identity? Why do some people pretend to be something they are not? Is our society gender-typed?

Social Learning Theory Children learn how to act socially by imitating adults by being rewarded or punished. What do some fathers teach their sons? What are expected of young girls? Are social expectations changing?