Brain functions

• Where is the prefrontal cortex located?


  Behind the eyes and forehead
• what is the prefrontal cortex a part of?

  the frontal lobe
• what is the prefrontal cortex responsible for?

  it plans things like what to do in a day, what’s right from wrong, determines how we organise, its a part of the expression of an individuals personality. (decision making and personality. moderating social behaviour)
• limbic system functions


  centre for emotional responsiveness, memory formation, attention span, sensory perception and time perception, and consciousness
• what are the main parts of the limbic system?


  Amygdala, Hippocampus and hypothalamus are connected closely to the prefrontal cortex
• what is the Amygdala?


  the emotional processing part of the brain where sensory input is received. Responsible for fight or flight response and emotional response. It also evaluates facial expressions then sends that information to the prefrontal cortex
• What does the left side of the amygdala do?

  Deals with positive and negative emotional responses
• what does the right part of the amygdala do?

  deals with mainly negative emotional responses
• What is one of the most important roles of the amygdala?

  Attention focusing and releasing hormones
• What happens during the fight, flight or freeze response

  The amygdala takes over the prefrontal cortex and takes the blood away from the prefrontal cortex and takes it to the limbic system. Meaning the amygdala takes control in a stressful situation so you instinctively do the right thing without having to think about it
• what is the hippocampus responsible for?

  the formation of memories. It creates structured interactions between itself and the prefrontal cortex during slow brain wave sleep. That process consolidates long term memories. It allows fast and efficient searching of memories from the prefrontal cortex to other parts of the neocortex to help assess and plan things. Largely Involved in how you learn things physically
• what is the neocortex?


  Part of the cerebral cortex where higher function is thought to originate from
• what is the thalamus responsible for?


  receiving outside information from your senses and passing them onto other areas or the brain. helps manage motor and cognitive functions
• what does the hypothalamus do?

  Takes input from the your senses via the thalamus and helps control and monitor a number of vital processes like: Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
• What functions does the parasympathetic nervous system have?

  Pupil constriction, stimulates salivation, slows heartbeats, bronchi constriction, stimulate bile release, stimulate digestion, stimulate peristalsis and secretion
• what are the functions of the sympathetic nervous system?

  dilates pupils, inhibits salivation, accelerates heartbeats, dilate bronchi, stimulate glucose release, inhibit digestion, inhibit peristalsis and secretion
• What are the three neuron types?

  Sensory, motor, interneuron
• What is reticular formation?

  A network of neurons in the brainstem involved in regulating arousal and sleep-wake transitions
• what is in the forebrain?

  Cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus