3.2

• Name the three main structural parts of the brain and state the function of each part.

  The central core of the brain contains the medulla (also known as the brain stem) that regulates the basic involuntary life processes (autonomic system) of heart rate, heart rate, peristalsis, intestinal secretions, arousal and sleep. The central core of the brain also contains the cerebellum which is responsible for controlling balance, posture and co-ordination of movement. The main body of the brain is the cerebrum which is the centre of conscious thought and is divided into many lobes.
• State the main functions of the cerebral cortex.

  The cerebral cortex is described as the centre of conscious thought; it stores and recalls memories and is responsible for altering behaviour in light of experiences (learning).

  There is localisation of brain functions within the cerebral cortex, it contains sensory areas, motor areas and association areas.

  
  

  The sensory areas of the cerebral cortex receive sensory information.

  The motor areas co-ordinate voluntary movements.

  
  

  The association areas make decisions based on previous experiences. There are association areas involved in language processing, personality, imagination and intelligence.

  
  

  Evidence for this localisation of brain function has come from; clinical studies of brain injuries, lesions and EEG's along with brain scans (PET and fMRI techniques that highlight active regions of the brain).
• Identify the key structural areas of the cerebral cortex.


  The cerebral cortex is divided into two cerebral hemispheres - the left and the right. The left cerebral hemisphere deals with information from the right visual field and controls the right side of the body. The right cerebral hemisphere deals with information from the left visual field and controls the left side of the body. The two cerebral hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum
• State the function of the corpus callosum.

  The corpus callosum is responsible for transferring information from one side of the cerebrum to the opposite side, it acts as an information bridge connecting the two cerebral hemispheres. Evidence of the function of the corpus callosum can be seen when examining the responses produced by split-brain patients when asked to complete tasks.