Parts of the Brain

Question 1

Brainstem

Answer 1

The most primitive region of the brain and is the lowest region of the brain that connects to the spinal cord

Question 2

Medulla

Answer 2

Regulates automatic/involuntary bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate

Question 3

Pons

Answer 3

Monitors and regulated brain activity during sleep

Question 4

Reticular Activating System

Answer 4

Regulates arousal, alertness, and consciousness

Question 5

Thalamus

Answer 5

Serves as a sensory relay station by channeling all incoming sensory information to appropriate regions of the cortex for processing and back to appropriate muscles and organs in the body

Question 6

Cerebellum

Answer 6

Attached to the back of the brainstem, this structure resembles a small brain and plays an integral role in balance and coordination of muscle movements

Question 7

Hippocampus

Answer 7

Involved in processing new information and storing new memoried, the hippocampus plays an integral role in learning

Question 8

Amygdala

Answer 8

Governs initial emotional reactions to events, particularly fear and aggression. Stimulation of the amygdala typically leads to arousal and/or agressive responses, whereas damage to the amygdala typically has a calming effect on individuals

Question 9

Hypothalamus

Answer 9

Control bodily activities (heart rate, temperature), motivated behaviors and arousal (sleep, sexual behavior) through its effects on the endocrine system. The hypothalamus also houses reward circuits that, when activated, produce feelings of pleasure and euphoria

Question 10

Occipital Lobe

Answer 10

Responsible for visual processing

Question 11

Temporal Lobe

Answer 11

Responsible for auditory processing; also plays a role in long-term memory (when damaged, some long-term memory impairment occurs)

Question 12

Parietal Lobe

Answer 12

Responsible for processing body sensations and all skin senses (touch, pressure, temperature, and pain)

Question 13

Frontal Lobe

Answer 13

Responsible for controlling behavior, thought, and emotion and for higher-order cognitive processes (such as reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making)

Question 14

Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 14

The most frontal region of the frontal lobe, it is involved in higher-order cognitive processes (planning, decision-making, emotional control)

Question 15

Somasensory Cortex

Answer 15

A strip of the parietal lobe specialized for processing sensations of touch and for integrating various sensations

Question 16

Motor Cortex

Answer 16

A strip of the frontal lobe specialized for controlling voluntary actions of muscles

Question 17

Broca’s Area

Answer 17

A porton of the motor cortex found only in the left hemisphere and involved specifically in coordinating the muscles used in speech

Question 18

Wernicke’s Area

Answer 18

A portion of the temporal lobe found only in the left hemisphere and involved specifically in processing and understanding speech