different functions of the brain

• Describe the CNS and the PNS

  • CNS- brain and spinal cord
  • PNS- all the neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. Sensory and motor neurones
• Describe the roles of the somatic and autonomic nervous system

  • Somatic- under conscious control- when you voluntarily decide to do something like move a muscle- carries impulses to muscles
  • Autonomic- works constantly and is under subconscious control, used for involuntary and automatic movements- carries impulses to glands, smooth muscle and cardiac muscle
• Describe the general action of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

  • in terms of reflex arc-
  • Sympathetic- increases activity
  • Parasympathetic- decreases activity
• What are the five main areas of the brain?

  • Cerebrum
  • Cerebellum
  • Medulla oblongata
  • Hypothalamus
  • Pituitary gland
• What are the four main lobes in the brain?

  • Frontal
  • Temporal
  • Parietal
  • Occipital
• Describe the general roles and characteristics of the cerebrum

  • Largest part of brain
  • Four lobes
  • Conscious thought, memory, learning
  • Has ability to override reflexes
  • Judgement and reasoning
  • Intelligence features
  • Highly convoluted
• Describe the general roles and characteristics of the Cerebellum

  • Balance
  • co-ordination
  • Manipulation
  • Eye movement
  • Receives info from the organs of balance (ears)
  • Relays info to area of cerebral cortex involved in motor control
• Describe the general roles and characteristics of the medulla oblongata

  • Controls non skeletal muscles - involuntary movement (reflex activities) controls unconscious responses/mechanisms (controls swallowing, peristalsis and coughing)
  • cardiac centre- responsible for blood pressure, breathing rate and depth, and responsible for controlling heart rate
  • two centres in medulla oblongata linked to SAN- one increases heart rate by sending impulses through accelerator nerve to sympathetic NS, one decreases it by sending impulses through vagus nerve to parasympathetic NS
• Describe the general roles and characteristics of the hypothalamus

  • Main controlling region for the autonomic nervous system
  • Two centres- one for the sympathetic and one for the parasympathetic nervous system
  • Controls complex patterns of behaviour (feeding, sleep, aggression)
  • Monitors composition of blood plasma, conc of water and blood glucose, so very rich blood supply
  • produces hormones as well
• Describe the general roles and characteristics of the Pituitary gland

  • At base of hypothalamus
  • Controls most of the glands in the body (master gland)
  • Divided into two sections- anterior and posterior pituitary gland
  • Anterior- six hormones produced eg FSH and ACTH
  • Posterior- stores and releases hormones produced by hypothalamus Eg ADH
• What nerve transmits impulses from the medulla oblongata through the sympathetic NS?

  Accelerator nerve
• What nerve transmits nervous impulses from the medulla oblongata through the parasympathetic NS?

  The vagus nerve