Parts of the Brain
About how much does the average adult brain weigh?
About 3 lbs
The cerebrum is divided into how many hemispheres?
The cerebrum is divided into two halves:
What does the nervous system do?
The nervous system controls everything you do, including breathing, walking, thinking, and feeling.
What is the happy chemical called?
Serotonin
What side of the brain controls language and hand use in 92% of people?
The left hemisphere is dominant in hand use and language in about 92% of people.
What are the 3 main parts of the brain?
The brain is composed of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
What are the names of the hemispheres the cerebrum is divided into? What do they they do?
The cerebrum is divided into two halves:the right and left hemispheres. They are joined by a bundle of fibers called the corpus callosum that transmits messages from one side to the other. Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.
Example: If a stroke occurs on the right side of the brain, your left arm or leg may be weak or paralyzed.
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of which parts of the body?
The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and spinal cord.
What is the "craving" chemical? The rewarding chemical that humans CRAVE.
Dopamine
also called working memory, occurs in the prefrontal cortex. It stores information for about one minute and its capacity is limited to about 7 items. For example, it enables you to dial a phone number someone just told you. It also intervenes during reading, to memorize the sentence you have just read, so that the next one makes sense....
Short term memory
What part of the brain is the largest part of the brain and is composed of right and left hemispheres. It performs higher functions like interpreting touch, vision and hearing, as well as speech, reasoning, emotions, learning, and fine control of movement.
Cerebrum
What does the LEFT hemisphere of the brain control?
In general, the left hemisphere controls speech, comprehension, arithmetic, and writing.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is made up of what parts of the body?
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is composed of spinal nerves that branch from the spinal cord and cranial nerves that branch from the brain.
What is the chemical that raises our blood pressure and dilates our eyes.
Can be triggered by a serious or unsafe event: Example: A car crash, a car flips onto a loved one.
Adrenaline
is processed in the hippocampus of the temporal lobe and is activated when you want to memorize something for a longer time. This memory has unlimited content and duration capacity. It contains personal memories as well as facts and figures.
Long term memory
Name the part of the brain that is located under the cerebrum. Its function is to coordinate muscle movements, maintain posture, and balance.
Cerebellum
What does the RIGHT side of the brain control?
The right hemisphere controls creativity, spatial ability, artistic, and musical skills.
What is a nerve?
What is known as the "calm" chemical, that also controls muscle tone.
Gaba
is processed in the cerebellum, which relays information to the basal ganglia. It stores automatic learned memories like tying a shoe, playing an instrument, or riding a bike.
Skill memory
Name the part of the brain that acts as a relay center connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. It performs many automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature, wake and sleep cycles, digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing.
Brainstem or Medulla
What are the 4 distinct fissures in both hemispheres?
The cerebral hemispheres have distinct fissures, which divide the brain into lobes. Each hemisphere has 4 lobes: frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital.
What are the TWO major parts of the peripheral nervous system.
The somatic (say so-mat-ik) system, and the autonomic (say or-tow-nom-ik) system
What is the chemical stimulated by laughter?
Endorphins
What is the chemical released while exercising in the brain that releases "happy" chemicals?
Exercise releases a chemical, called serotonin, in the brain which makes you feel good, relaxes muscles and gets rid of stress.