1. The Structures of the Brain

2. The Brain Stem
The Brainstem is the oldest part of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull. It is responsible for automatic survival functions.

3. Brain Stem – Medulla The Medulla is the base of the brainstem
It controls autonomic functions and relays nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord.
respiration
blood pressure
heart rate
reflex arcs
vomiting

4. Brain Stem – Pons and Reticular Formation
Pons - A nerve network in the brainstem that plays an important role in controlling arousal.
It is involved in motor control and sensory analysis...
Information from the ear first enters the brain in the Pons.
Certain parts are important for the level of consciousness and for sleep.
The Reticular Formation controls:
Attention
Cardiac Reflexes
Motor Functions
Regulates Awareness
Relays Nerve Signals to the Cerebral Cortex
Sleep

5. Brain Stem - Thalamus
The is the brain’s sensory switchboard, located on top of the brainstem. It directs messages to the sensory areas in the cortex and transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla.

6. Cerebellum
- The “little brain” attached to the rear of the brainstem. It helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance.
Controls leg and arm movements
Damage causes awkward movement to the inability to stand

7. The Limbic System
The Limbic System is a doughnut-shaped system of neural structures at the border of the brainstem and cerebrum, associated with emotions such as fear, aggression and drives for food and sex. It includes the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus.

8. Limbic System - Amygdala
The Amygdala consists of two almond-shaped neural clusters linked to the emotions of fear and anger.
Discriminates objects for organisms survival
* Can I eat it?
* Will it eat me?
* Can I have sex with it?

9. Limbic System - Hippocampus
Determines what parts of information should be stored into durable, lasting, neural traces in the cortex
Helps us recall information by activating the parts of the brain we used for that activity
Extensive damage leads to an inability to retain conscious memories

10. Hypothalamus The Hypothalamus lies below (hypo) the thalamus.
Directs several maintenance activities like eating, drinking, body temperature, and control of emotions.
It helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland.
Monitors reward activities
Eating, Drinking, and Sex
Emotion, Stress, and Reward

11. Basal Ganglia
Large clusters of neurons that work with the cerebellum and cortex to control voluntary movements.
How you ride a bike, swim, or jump off a bridge.
Damage can lead to unwanted movement (Parkinson's)

12. Reward Center
Rats cross an electrified grid for self-stimulation when electrodes are placed in the reward (hypothalamus) center (top picture). When the limbic system is manipulated, a rat will navigate fields or climb up a tree (bottom picture).

13. The Cerebral Cortex
The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres. It is the body’s ultimate control and information processing center.

14. Structure of the Cerebral Cortex
Each brain hemisphere is divided into four lobes that are separated by prominent fissures.
Frontal Lobe (forehead)
Personality, Intelligence, Control of Voluntary Muscles
Parietal Lobe (top to rear)
Spatial Location, Attention, Motor Control
Occipital Lobe (back of head)
Visual Stimuli and Processing
Temporal Lobe (Side)
Hearing, language processing, memory

16. Functions of the Cortex
The Motor Cortex is the area at the rear of the frontal lobes that control voluntary movements. The Sensory Cortex (parietal cortex) receives information from skin surface and sense organs.

17. Association Areas
More intelligent animals have increased “uncommitted” or association areas of the cortex. These integrate sensory and motor information. (75% of cerebral cortex)

18. Language
Aphasia is an impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impaired speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impaired understanding).

19. Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iHDF5twkcE

20. Specialization & Integration
Brain activity when hearing, seeing, and speaking words

21. The Spinal Cord
Complex cable of nerves that connects brain to rest of the body
Carries motor impulses from the brain to internal organs and muscles
Carries sensory information from extremities and internal organs to the brain
400,000 people a year in US either partial or complete paralysis.

22. The Spinal Cord
The spinal cord controls some protective reflex movements without any input from the brain