CNS/Brain functions

• define brain localisation


  each brain area has its own function for controlling human behaviour
• brain lateralisation


  each hemisphere has its own function
• neuroplasticity


  brain can change and adapt by creating new connections via neurons
• describe the brain


  - brain is where all decisions are made about how body needs to respond

  - its divided into 2 hemispheres which divided into 4 lobes

  - outer layer of brain is cerebral cortex and is more developed in humans than other animals. it covered the inner structures of brain known as sub-cortical structures ( under the cortex )
• functions of left and right hemisphere

  LEFT

  - language

  - logic

  - analysis/calculation

  
  

  RIGHT

  - creativity

  - context

  - spatial ability
• describe contralateral control


  - left hemisphere controls right side of body and right hemisphere controls left side of body

  - hemispheres communicate via bundles of nerve fibres that make up the corpus callosum which joins the right and left hemispheres together

  - both have their own functions
• corpus callosum


  connects the 2 hemispheres & enables communication between the 2 ( information highway )
• thalamus


  controls relay station in brain for motor & sensory information.
• hypothalamus


  regulates eating, drinking and release of sex hormones ( testosterone, estrogen )
• amygdala


  primary role in the processing of emotional responses
• hippocampus


  responsible for memory consolidation, navigation & spatial awareness
• basal ganglia


  processing information on movement & planning responses
• frontal lobe


  involved in higher cognitive functioning such as problem solving, decision making and reasoning
• parietal lobe


  involved in processing information from the senses
• occipital lobe


  involved in visual processing of information including visuo-spatial processing
• temporal lobe


  deals with hearing
• Cerebellum


  important role in motor control ( largest part of brain )
• spinal cord


  transmission of nerve signals from the body to the brain