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CH13 13.7 Structure and Function of the Brain Cheat Sheet (DRAFT) by

the structure and function of the brain

This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.

Key Facts!

Human brain has 86 billion neurones
Processes inform­ation from receptor cells and hormonal systems
Central control system for whole body allowing fast commun­ication

Hypoth­alamus

Controls most of the body's homeos­tatic mechan­isms, sympat­hetic responses, hunger and thirst and diurnal rhythms.
Receives input from sensory receptors e.g. thermo­rec­eptors and retina.
Initiates responses via control of muscles and glands, partic­ularly the pituitary gland.
Controls much of the endocrine system.

Practice Questions

1. State the difference between the function of the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary. [1mark]
2. Sounds are interp­reted by the auditory area in temporal lobe. State the pathway followed by a nervous impulse produced by a sound wave. [3 marks]
 

The Cerebellum

The motor cortex decides to move and brings about the movements but the cerebellum is required for precise and accurate smooth coordi­nation of those muscle movements.
Fine control is associated with balance.
Involves manipu­lating tools and complex movements.
Control antago­nistic muscle groups.
'Auto-­pilot' movements such as riding a bike are said to be 'progr­ammed' in the cerebe­llum.

The Medulla Oblongota

Controls the autonomic nervous system.
Sends impulses to smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.
Regulates heart rate, breathing rate and depth of breathing, blood presure/.

Brain Structure

 

The Cerebrum

Receives sensory inform­ation and interprets based on previous experience and sends impulses along motor neurones to effectors.
Coordi­nates body's voluntary responses and some involu­ntary.
Highly convoluted (large SA).
Split into left and right hemisp­here.
Sensory areas- receive inputs from the sensory receptors.
Motor areas- send impulse to effectors (muscles and glands included) gives conscious control of muscle movement.
Associ­ation areas- commun­icate with the other regions of the brain to help coordinate motor responses.

Pituitary Gland

Found at the base of hypoth­alamus.
Controls most glands in the body.
Two sections- anterior (front) and posterior (back)
Anterior- produces six hormones including FSH (repro­duction and growth hormones)
Posterior- stores and releases hormones produced by the Hypoth­alamus