Brain Structure and Function Flashcards
State the four lobes that the two cerebral hemispheres of the cortex divide into.
- Frontal Lobe
- Parietal Lobe
- Occipital Lobe
- Temporal Lobe
What is the cortex?
It is the highly folded part of the brain, composed mainly of nerve cells, synapses and dendrites. It is divided into the left and right cerebral hemisphere
Which part of the brain is known as the grey matter?
The cortex
What is the corpus callosum?
The white matter that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
Describe the structure of white matter.
It contains large numbers of nerve axons.
State the functions of the frontal lobe.
- decision making
- reasoning
- consciousness of emotions
- forms associations and ideas
Where is the primary motor cortex found?
In the frontal lobe and directly attaches to the spinal cord using neurones
What is the function of the primary motor cortex?
Stores information about how to carry out different movements.
State the function of the occipital lobe.
- processes information from the eyes (colour, vision, recognition & perspective)
State the functions of the parietal lobe.
- orientation
- movement
- some types of recognition
State the functions of the temporal lobe.
- processes auditory information (hearing, sound, recognition)
What is the function of the thalamus?
- sends all sensory information to the correct part of the brain via axons in the white matter
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
- contains thermoregulatory centre
- controls sleep, thirst and hunger
- acts as an endocrine gland by secreting antidiuretic hormones which controls water absorption in the kidneys
- connects to pituitary gland
What is the function of the pituitary gland?
- secretes hormones to control various bodily functions
What is the function of the cerebellum?
- controls balance, coordination and movement
- checks motor programmes
