Topic 5: Nervous System 3 - Integration and Control - Brain

Question 1

What are the 3 areas of the brain?

Answer 1

1. cerebrum
2. Brain stem
3. Hypothalamus

Question 2

What is the function of the cerebrum? (3)

Answer 2

• interpreting sensory info from general and special senses
• initiating and controlling skeletal muscle movement (motor areas and basal nuclei)
• memory and intellect

Question 3

Why is the cerebrum important in relation to the brain and spinal cord?

Answer 3

• relays info between different parts of the brain and/or spinal cord (association, commissural and projection tracts)

Question 4

What is the function of the brain stem?

Answer 4

• controls life-sustaining processes, like breathing and circulation

Question 5

What happens if the brain stem is functional, but higher centres are damaged?

Answer 5

• alive but. not aware
• no concscious control

Question 6

What are three parts of the brain stem?

Answer 6

1. midbrain
2. Pons
3. Medulla

Question 7

What does the midbrain control?

Answer 7

• auditory and visual reflexes
• movement of eyes (vision), head and neck in response to visual/auditory stimuli

Question 8

What is the function of the pons?

Answer 8

• function w/ medulla to regulate breathing (pontine respiratory centres)

Question 9

What are the 3 functional regions of the medulla?

Answer 9

1. decussation (crossing) of sensory and motor tracts
2. Autonomic vital reflex centres
3. other non-vital areas

Question 10

Give an example of decussation in medulla (2)

Answer 10

• left brain controls right skeletal muscles
• it receives sensory input from right side

Question 11

What are the 2 autonomic vital reflex centres? (2)

Answer 11

1. respiratory area to drive breathing rate
2. Cardiovascular centre

Question 12

What are the 2 areas of the cardiovascular centre, and what are their functions?

Answer 12

cardiac area - modifies heart rate
vasomotor area - controls blood vessel diameter

Question 13

What do the other non-vital areas of the medulla control?

Answer 13

• swallowing, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, etc.