BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIORThe Brain

OBJECTIVE

Identify the major structures of the brain, and explain the functions of each structure.

TODAY’S GOALS

Notes on the brain

THE BRAIN

The brain is the center for all thought processes and nearly all regulatory function in the human body. The brain directly or indirectly controls every aspect of the living body such as voluntary and involuntary motor control, enzyme and hormone production, and immune system responses. Much of what we know today about the function of the brain comes from the imaging technologies that use scanning instruments to look at brain structure and function.

THE BRAIN– IN HISTORY People did not attribute human psychological

processes such as thinking to the working of the brain Creative thought, art, and analytical abilities– Not

Biological– the body was inhabited by souls or demons.

Ancient Egyptians– little person dwelled within the skull and regulated behavior

Aristotle– the soul had set up living quarters in the hear

BF Skinner (1987)– English language still reflects the belief in the heart as the seat of will, though, hunger, and joy.

What are some expressions that we use about the heart that should be attributed to the brain?

PARTS OF THE BRAIN

PARTS OF THE BRAIN

The Hindbrain: Medulla Pons Cerebellum

The Midbrain: Reticular Activating System

The Forebrain: Thalamus Hypothalamus Limbic System Cerebrum-cerebral cortex- surface of the

cerebrum

THE FOREBRAIN Thalamus–

Latin word meaning “inner chamber” Relay station for sensory stimulation Most of the messages coming from the sense organs go through the

thalamus on the way to the higher levels of the brain (thinking and reasoning)

Also relays information from the eyes and ears to the appropriate parts of the brain for interpretation.

Hypothalamus – Greek “under” – Lies below the thalamus Involved in many aspects of behavior and physiological functions. Regulates body temperature, storage of nutrients and various

aspects of motivation and emotion. Involved in hunger, thirst, sexual behavior, caring for offspring, and

aggression. Limbic System– Learning and memory, emotion, hunger,

sex, and aggression If limbic system is damaged people can recall old memories

but do not create new memories.

THE MIDBRAIN

Involved in vision and hearing Eye-movement

Part of the Reticular activating system Attention, sleep, and arousal Increases heart rate and blood pressure and

increases brain activity. Alcohol reduces the activity of the reticular Sudden noises will activate the reticular

THE HINDBRAIN

The Medulla– Vital functions such as hear rate, blood pressue

and breathing Pons—

In front of the medulla Regulates body movement, attention, sleep, and

alertness Cerebellum—

Latin for “little brain” Balance and coordination Damage to the cerebellum– have trouble with

coordination

CEREBRUM

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