BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
The Brain
OBJECTIVE
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Identify the major structures of the brain, and
explain the functions of each structure.
TODAY’S GOALS
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Notes on the brain
THE BRAIN
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The brain is the center for all thought processes
and nearly all regulatory function in the human
body. The brain directly or indirectly controls
every aspect of the living body such as voluntary
and involuntary motor control, enzyme and
hormone production, and immune system
responses. Much of what we know today about
the function of the brain comes from the imaging
technologies that use scanning instruments to
look at brain structure and function.
THE BRAIN– IN HISTORY
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People did not attribute human psychological
processes such as thinking to the working of the brain
Creative thought, art, and analytical abilities– Not
Biological– the body was inhabited by souls or
demons.
Ancient Egyptians– little person dwelled within the
skull and regulated behavior
Aristotle– the soul had set up living quarters in the
hear
BF Skinner (1987)– English language still reflects the
belief in the heart as the seat of will, though, hunger,
and joy.
What are some expressions that we use about the
heart that should be attributed to the brain?
PARTS OF THE BRAIN
PARTS OF THE BRAIN
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The Hindbrain:
Medulla
 Pons
 Cerebellum
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The Midbrain:
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Reticular Activating System
The Forebrain:
Thalamus
 Hypothalamus
 Limbic System
 Cerebrum-cerebral cortex- surface of the cerebrum
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THE FOREBRAIN
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Thalamus–
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Latin word meaning “inner chamber”
Relay station for sensory stimulation
Most of the messages coming from the sense organs go through the
thalamus on the way to the higher levels of the brain (thinking and
reasoning)
Also relays information from the eyes and ears to the appropriate parts
of the brain for interpretation.
Hypothalamus –
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Greek “under” – Lies below the thalamus
Involved in many aspects of behavior and physiological functions.
Regulates body temperature, storage of nutrients and various aspects of
motivation and emotion.
Involved in hunger, thirst, sexual behavior, caring for offspring, and
aggression.
Limbic System– Learning and memory, emotion, hunger, sex,
and aggression
 If limbic system is damaged people can recall old memories
but do not create new memories.
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THE MIDBRAIN
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Involved in vision and hearing
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Eye-movement
Part of the Reticular activating system
Attention, sleep, and arousal
 Increases heart rate and blood pressure and
increases brain activity.
 Alcohol reduces the activity of the reticular
 Sudden noises will activate the reticular
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THE HINDBRAIN
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The Medulla–
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Vital functions such as hear rate, blood pressue and
breathing
Pons—
In front of the medulla
 Regulates body movement, attention, sleep, and
alertness
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Cerebellum—
Latin for “little brain”
 Balance and coordination
 Damage to the cerebellum– have trouble with
coordination
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CEREBRUM
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