I. The Parts of the Brain
A. Cerebrum
area with cerebral cortex
thought – intellectual functions
interprets sensory information
control of voluntary movement
B. Cerebellum
coordination and maintaim posture
helps control balance and movement
affected by alcohol
C. Diencephalon
1. thalamus
filters sensory info
transfers sensory info to appropriate cortex area
2. hypothalamus
a) many functions
b) controls physical response to emotion
c) with many visceral control centers
autonomic control center (acts on brain stem)
body temp
regulation of food intake
sex drive
sleep/wake cycle
control of endocrine system
D. Brain Stem
automatic behaviors
usually associated with survival
parts of brain stem
1. medulla (medulla oblongata)
connects brain to spinal cord
cross-over site
contains autonomic reflex centers (autonomic nuclei)
• cardio centers (rate and force of heart beat)
• vasomotor center (blood vessel diameter; blood pressure)
• respiratory center (rate and depth of breathing)
• others (swallowing, vomiting, hiccupping, coughing, sneezing)
2. pons
bridge between different parts of brain
links cerebellum with brain stem
links cerebrum and spinal cord
2 centers to help control respiration (sends signals to centers in medulla)
3. midbrain (mesencephalon)
connects upper and lower brain
connects lower brain and spinal cord
contains:
a) visual reflex center
coordinates head and eye movements when visually following a moving
object
b) auditory reflex center
causes you to turn your head toward a sound
c) serotonin receptor cells
concentrated in mid-brain
serotonin has a role in regulation of mood and impulse behaviour, sleep,
sexual desire, appetite.
d) RAS – reticular activating system
component of reticular formation
stimulation makes you more alert and attentive
e) substantia nigra
regulates activity in cerebral nuclei