Structure and function of the brain

• annotate the diagram

  A) hypothalamus

  B) pituitary gland

  C) thalamus

  D) cerebellum

  E) cerebrum

  
• what are the functions of the cerebrum?

  • conscious decisions to move voluntary muscles are initiated here
  • controls higher brain function, imagination, reasoning
  • cerebrum alone can't control coordination of fine muscular movements, walking - cerebellum needed to coordinate this
• what is the role of association areas?

  • analyse and act upon information sent from sensory areas
• what type of movement is controlled by the cerebrum?

  • conscious movement of voluntary movement
• what is the function of the cerebellum?

  • muscular activity associated with control of posture/balance
  • sensory activities, judging position of objects
  • tensioning of muscles in order to manipulate tools
  • fine muscular movement
  • operation of antagonistic muscles to coordinate contraction and relaxation
• what is the function of the hypothalamus?

  • controlling complex patterns of behaviour, feeding, sleeping, and aggression
  • monitoring composition of blood plasma - concentration of water/blood glucose - homeostatic mechanisms
  • producing hormones - endocrine gland
• what is the role of the anterior pituitary gland?

  • produces follicle stimulating hormone - causes egg to start maturing in ovaries, and stimulates production of oestrogen from ovaries
  • produces luteinising hormone - causes mature egg to be released from ovary
• what is the role of the posterior pituitary gland?

  • produces anti-diuretic hormone - causes collecting ducts in kidney nephron to become more permeable to water, allowing more water to be reabsorbed
• what are the functions of the medulla oblongata?

  • control reflex activities like ventilation (breathing rate) and heart rate
  • also controls swallowing, peristalsis, and coughing
• what effect can damage to the cerebellum might have?

  • problems with balance/posture
  • can't judge position of objects
  • can't tense muscles
  • struggle with fine movement
  • can't operate antagonistic muscles to coordinate contraction