1. The Brain
Chapter 3: Module 08

2. Brainstem Oldest part of the brain
Responsible for automatic survival functions
Location: where spinal cord swells and the brain begins
Rose or tail

3. Medulla The base of the brainstem
Controls life-supporting functions like heartbeat and breathing
Damage to this area can lead to death.

4. Reticular Formation
A nerve network extending up and down the spinal cord into the brain.
Controls an organism’s level of alertness.
Damage to this area can cause a coma.

5. Thalamus Sits atop the brainstem
The brain’s sensory switchboard -- directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex.
All senses except smell!
Thalamus is Greek for “inner chamber.”

6. Cerebellum Latin for the “little brain”
Located in the rear of the brain
Controls balance, muscle coordination and memories on how to use your body.
Walking
Playing guitar
If damaged, the person could perform basic movements but would lose fine coordination skills.

7. Limbic System
A ring of structures around the thalamus; at the border of the brainstem and cerebral cortex
Helps regulate memory, aggression, fear, hunger, and thirst
Includes 3 parts: the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala

8. Hypothalamus Located under the front of the thalamus
Regulates eating, drinking, body temperature, and the fight or flight reaction to stress
Plays a role in emotions and pleasure

9. Hippocampus Wraps around the back of the thalamus
Plays a role in processing new memories for permanent storage
Looks something like a seahorse
Hippo is Greek for “horse.”

10. Amygdala (ah-MIG-dah-la)
Two almond shaped structures
Controls emotional responses such as fear and anger

12. Cerebral Cortex
The body’s ultimate control and information processing center
Covers the brain’s lower level structures
Contains an estimated billion nerve cells
Divided into four lobes

13. Longitudinal Fissure
The crevice that divides the brain into two halves or hemispheres
This and other fissures in the brain create major divisions in the brain called lobes

14. Corpus Callosum
The large band of neural fibers that connects the two brain hemispheres and carries messages between them
Is sometimes cut to prevent seizures

15. Frontal Lobes
The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead
Is involved in making plans and judgments
Includes the “Motor Strip”
Band that controls bodily movements

16. Parietal Lobes
Regions available for general processing, including mathematical reasoning
Designated as the association lobes
Behind the frontal lobes
Includes the “Sensory Strip”
Band that registers and provides sensations

17. Occipital Lobe Interprets visual information
Located in the back of the head

18. Temporal Lobes Major center for hearing and some speech functions.
Located roughly above the ears

20. Hemispheric Differences
“Left-brained” and “right-brained” debunked
Brain is divided into two hemispheres but works as a single entity.
Both sides continually communicate via the corpus callosum.

21. The Brain’s Left Hemisphere
For most people, language functions are in the left hemisphere.
For a small percentage of people, language functions are in the right hemisphere.
Nobody is quite sure why this is…
2 important parts of left brain:
Broca’s area
Wernicke’s area

22. Broca’s Area Located in the left frontal lobe
Responsible for expressive language
Directs muscle movement used in speech
If damaged the person can form the ideas but cannot express them as speech
Ex. A stroke

23. Wernicke’s Area Located in the left temporal lobe
Involved in controlling receptive language; our ability to understand what someone else says

24. The Brain’s Right Hemisphere
Houses the brain’s spatial abilities
To perceive or organize things in a given space, judge distance, understand geometric objects, etc.
Helps in making connections between words

25. Plasticity The ability of the brain tissue to take on new functions
Greatest in childhood
Important if parts of the brain are damaged or destroyed