The brain

Question 1

What is the brain’s role in the CNS?

Answer 1

Complex behaviours and experiences

Question 2

What is the role of the spinal cord in the CNS?

Answer 2

reflexes

Question 3

What is grey matter and where is it in the brain and spinal cord?

Answer 3

Nerve cell bodies
Brain - outer layer
Spinal cord - inner layer

Question 4

What is white matter and where is it in the brain and spinal cord?

Answer 4

axons
brain - inner surface
spinal cord - outer surface

Question 5

How much does the human brain weigh?

Answer 5

approx 1.5kg (2% of body weight)

Question 6

how many neurons in the brain?

Answer 6

100-150billion - each one connects to approx 10000 others

Question 7

What is a gyrus? (pl. gyri)

Answer 7

a fold

Question 8

What is a sulcus? (pl. sulci)

Answer 8

groove

Question 9

What is a fissure?

Answer 9

deep groove

Question 10

What are tracts (eg. corpus callosum)?

Answer 10

Connecting point between the 2 hemispheres - important for communication (Split brain research)

Question 11

What is the upper portion of the brain referred to as?

Answer 11

Dorsal/superior

Question 11

What is the lower portion of the brain referred to as?

Answer 11

Ventral/inferior

Question 11

What is the front portion of the brain referred to as?

Answer 11

Anterior/rostral

Question 12

What is the back portion of the brain referred to as?

Answer 12

Posterior/caudal

Question 13

What is a coronal cross-section?

Answer 13

Separates the brain into anterior (rostral) and posterior (caudal) halves

Question 14

What is a saggital cross-section?

Answer 14

Separates the left and right hemisphere eg. at the point of the corpus callosum

Question 15

What is an axial (horizontal) cross-section?

Answer 15

Separates the brain into dorsal (superior) and ventral (inferior) halves at the level of the corpus callosum.

Question 16

What is the brain protected with?

Answer 16

Ventricles - filled with cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF)

Question 17

What are 2 the roles of ventricles in the brain?

Answer 17

1. shock absorbers - protect brain from injury on impact
2. provide nutrition for brain cells

Question 18

What is the function of meninges?

Answer 18

Protect brain and spinal cord (additional layers of tissue/membrane)

Question 19

What are the 3 types of meninges (in order from under the skull to above the brain?

Answer 19

1. Dura mater
2. Arachnoid membrane
3. Pia mater

Question 20

What provides nourishment to the brain?

Answer 20

Blood vessels

Question 21

What are the 3 main divisions of the brain?

Answer 21

1. forebrain
2. midbrain
   3, hindbrain

Question 22

What is the forebrain split into?

Answer 22

1. Telencephalon
2. Diencephalon

Question 23

What is the telencephalon split into?

Answer 23

1. Cortex 2. Limbic system 3. Basal ganglia

Question 24

What are the 4 areas of the cortex?

Answer 24

Frontal cortex Temporal cortex Parietal cortex Occipital cortex

Question 25

What areas are part of the limbic system in forebrain?

Answer 25

Hippocampus Amygdala Cingulate cortex

Question 26

What makes up the basal ganglia?

Answer 26

Caudate nucleus Globus pallidus Putamen

Question 27

What are the 2 parts of the diencephalon?

Answer 27

Thalamus Hypothalamus

Question 28

What are the 2 parts of the midbrain?

Answer 28

Substantia Nigra Colliculi

Question 29

What are the 3 parts of the hindbrain?

Answer 29

Cerebellum Pons Medulla Oblongata

Question 30

What is the hindbrain responsible for?

Answer 30

Vital body functions eg. breathing, heart rate and motor control

Question 31

What is the substantia nigra responsible for in the midbrain?

Answer 31

motor control

Question 32

What are the sensory relay stations in the midbrain?

Answer 32

Superior (vision) and inferior (audition) colliculi

Question 33

What is the role of the hypothalamus in the diencephalon?

Answer 33

Hormone control Sexual behaviour Hunger and thirst

Question 34

What is the role of the thalamus in the diencephalon?

Answer 34

Directing sensory info to different areas of the cortex

Question 35

What is the role of the basal ganglia in the forebrain?

Answer 35

- caudate nucleus and putamen Voluntary motor control Learning and memory

Question 36

What are examples of disorders in the basal ganglia?

Answer 36

Parkinsons and Tourettes

Question 37

What is the role of the amygdala in the limbic system?

Answer 37

Emotional regulation

Question 38

What is the role of the hippocampus in the limbic system?

Answer 38

Memory

Question 39

What is the role of the frontal lobe?

Answer 39

Attention Planning and decision making Emotional control

Question 40

What is the role of the temporal lobe?

Answer 40

Auditory perception Language Memory

Question 41

What is the role of the parietal lobe?

Answer 41

Visuomotor guidance Number processing

Question 42

What is the role of the occipital lobe?

Answer 42

Visual perception