Brain & Behavior

In this activity you will take a tour of the human brain and explore the major brain regions to discover the functions of each region or area.

Functional Specialization
• In terms of brain function, what is functional specialization?
Hearing a sound or moving our thumb is controlled by a cluster of neurons. This gives us the capability of the nervous system.
A neural network is the cluster of neurons.
• Why is the principle of complex communication important to understand? Each neural network is influenced by other networks or regions of the brain.

Test Yourself on Lower Brain Structures
• Match each brain part with its function:

o __C_ Pituitary gland A. Located above the midbrain at the top of the brainstem; routes incoming messages from all the senses (except smell) to the appropriate brain areas for processing o _D__ Medulla B. Part of the limbic system; regulates hunger, thirst, and body temperature and contains the so-called pleasure centers of the brain o __J_ Pons C. The master gland of the endocrine system o _E__ Reticular formation D. Located in the brainstem; controls breathing and heartbeat o _F__ Cerebellum E. A nerve network that runs up the center of the brainstem; plays an important role in controlling alertness and attention o I___ Midbrain F. Located at the back of the brainstem; assists in balance and the coordination of voluntary movement o _A__ Thalamus G. Part of the limbic system; is involved in learning and in forming new memories o _G__ Hippocampus H. Part of the limbic system; is involved in regulation of the emotions of fear and rage o _H__ Amygdala I. Located near the top of the brainstem; integrates specific types of information from the eyes and the ears, and sends this on to other parts of the brain o _B__ Hypothalamus J. Located in the brainstem; controls breathing and heartbeat; connects the medulla to the two sides of the cerebellum to help coordinate and integrate movement on each side of the body; involved in sleep and dreaming

22 PsychSim 5: Brain and Behavior

The Cerebral Cortex
• Each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is divided into four regions called “lobes.” Name them.
Match each lobe to its associated cortex:

o ___ Parietals lobes__________________ A. Somatosensory cortex

o ___ _Frontal lobes_________________ B. Motor cortex

o ___ Occipital_lobes_________________ C. Visual cortex

o ___ __Temporal_lobes_______________ D. Auditory cortex

The Cerebral Cortex
• Name the three distinct areas of language cortex in the left hemisphere. Match them to their relat- ed dysfunction.

o ___ Angular Gyrus __________________ A. Ability to read aloud

o ___ _Broca’s Area_________________ B. Speaking

o ___ _Wernick’s Area_________________ C. Language comprehension

Right Hemisphere Abilities
• If the left hemisphere generally controls language, what special abilities does the right hemisphere have? The right brain allows us to articulate through and and music. The right brain also allows us the gift of intuitive feelings and or visual images.