AP Biology 2005-2006

The Brain

AP Biology

Brain coordinating centre of the NS enclosed within the skull surrounded by meninges – form a blood-

brain barrier

AP Biology

Cerebrospinal Fluid shock absorber carries nutrients to brain cells provides a connection between neural and

endocrine systems Meninges

protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

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Meningitis caused by a bacterial or viral infection

of the outer membranes of the brain symptoms – fever, vomiting, intense

headache, stiff neck if left untreated bacterial meningitis

can lead to death

AP Biology 2005-2006

Human brain

AP Biology

Brainstem The “lower brain”

medulla oblongata pons cerebellum

Functions homeostasis coordination of movement conduction of impulses to higher brain

centers

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Brainstem Controls autonomic homeostatic

functions breathing heart & blood vessel activity swallowing vomiting digestion

Relays information to & from higher brain centers

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Midbrain Involved in the integration of sensory

informationregulation of

visual reflexesregulation of

auditory reflexes

AP Biology 2005-2006

Cerebrum Most highly evolved structure of

mammalian brain Cerebrum divided

hemispheres left = right side of

body right = left side of

body Corpus callosum

major connection between 2 hemispheres

AP Biology 2005-2006

Lateralization of Brain Function Left hemisphere

language, math, logic operations, processing of serial sequences of information, visual & auditory details

detailed activities required for motor control

Right hemisphere pattern recognition, spatial

relationships, non-verbal ideation, emotional processing, parallel processing of information

AP Biology

Lateralization of Brain Function

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AP Biology 2005-2006

Cerebrum specialization Regions of the cerebrum are

specialized for different functions Lobes

frontal temporal occipital parietal

AP Biology 2005-2006

Cerebrum specializationFrontal Lobe

walking, talking - voluntary muscles (motor neuron)

personality & intellect (association neurons)

AP Biology 2005-2006

Cerebrum specializationTemporal Lobe

vision & hearing (sensory neurons)

memory & Interpretation of sensory information(association neurons)

AP Biology 2005-2006

Cerebrum specializationParietal Lobe

touch & temperature (sensory neurons)

emotions & interpreting speech (association neurons)

AP Biology 2005-2006

Cerebrum specializationOccipital Lobe

vision (sensory neurons)

interpreting visuals (association neurons)

AP Biology

AP Biology

Amygdala involved in recognizing emotional content of facial expression 2005-2006

Limbic systemMediates basic emotions (fear, anger), involved in emotional bonding, establishes emotional memory

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Any Questions??

AP Biology

Evolutionary older structures Evolutionary older structures of the brain

regulate essential autonomic & integrative functions brainstem

pons medulla oblongata midbrain

cerebellum thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus

AP Biology 2005-2006

Reticular Formation Sleep & wakefulness produces patterns

of electrical activity in the brain recorded as an electroencephalogram

(EEG) most dreaming

during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep