Download Older Brain Structures

Chapter 2 F:
Older Brain Structures
A.P. Psychology
Lecture. . . Click on link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
m17gLs4jnLw
Note: She is lecturing from a different
book, but the material is the same. . .
Do-Now
(Discussion)

What type of information can be gained
through the following neurological
measurement tools?

E.E.G. (Electroencephalogram)

C.T. (Computed Tomography) Scan

P.E.T. (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan

M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

f.M.R.I. (Functional M.R.I.)
The Brain

Brain-to-Body Weight Ratios of Living
Organisms:

Dinosaurs:

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Elephants:
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1/600th
Mice:
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1/10,000th
1/40th
Marmosets:
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1/25th
The Brain
Other than size,
what else determines a
species’ intelligence?
Older Brain Structures:
The Brainstem

The complexities of brain structures serve as
indicators of a species’ intellectual capacities

Brainstem:
Oldest part and central core of the brain
 Beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters
the skull
 Function:
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Automatic survival functions
Older Brain Structures:
The Brainstem
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Medulla:
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Base of the brainstem
Functions:
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Pons:
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Located above the medulla
Function:
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Controls heartbeat
Controls breathing
Coordinates movement
Reticular Formation:
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A nerve network in the brainstem
Function:

Controlling arousal
Older Brain Structures:
The Brainstem

What types of automatic survival functions are
controlled by the brainstem?

How do the medulla and reticular formation
interact with the autonomic nervous system?

How do the pons interact with the somatic
nervous system?
Older Brain Structures:
The Brainstem and Thalamus
Older Brain Structures:
The Thalamus & Cerebellum

Thalamus:
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Brain’s sensory switchboard
Located on top of the brainstem
Functions:
 Directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex
 Transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Cerebellum:
 “Little Brain”


Located at rear of brainstem
Functions:
 Processing sensory input
 Coordinating movement output and balance
Older Brain Structures:
The Thalamus & Cerebellum
 With which types of neurons does
the thalamus interact?
 With
which types of neurons does
the cerebellum interact?
Older Brain Structures:
The Cerebellum
Older Brain Structures:
The Limbic System

Limbic System:
Doughnut-shaped neural system
 Located below the cerebral hemispheres
 Includes:

Hippocampus
 Amygdala
 Hypothalamus


Functions:

Linked to Emotions/Drives
Older Brain Structures:
The Limbic System
Older Brain Structures:
The Limbic System
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Hippocampus:
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Function:
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Amygdala:
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Two lima bean-sized neural clusters
Function:
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Processes Memory
Linked to Emotion
Hypothalamus:
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Located below the thalamus
Functions:
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Maintenance activities: eating, drinking, body temperature
Helps govern endocrine system (via pituitary gland)
Linked to emotion and reward
Older Brain Structures:
The Limbic System
 Imagine
that you encounter an angry
cat. Its back is arched, fur is fluffed, and
pupils are dilated.
 Which
division of the autonomic
nervous system is activated by this
stimulation of its amygdala (neural center
of emotion)?
Brain Structures and their Functions
Review

Describe the functions of the following parts of the
brain:
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Brainstem
Medulla
Pons
Reticular Formation
Thalamus
Cerebellum
Limbic System:

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Hippocampus
Amygdala
Hypothalamus
Homework

Chapter 2 Key People:
Chapter 2 Project: “3-D Brain Model”