PSY/340 Version 3
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Brain Structures and Functions Worksheet
Provide a brief description for each of the following functions:
1. Basal ganglia
Controls cognition and movement coordination as well as voluntary movement. It is also a component of the corpus striatum and it consists of the subthalamic nucleus and the substantial nigra (About.com, 2012).
2. Corpus collosum
There is a thick band of nerve fibers and these are called the corpus collosum. This is what divides the cerebrum into two hemispheres, a left and a right. It creates communication between the left and the right sides by connecting them. It also transfers motor functions, sensory, and cognitive information …show more content…
These are the superior temporal gyrus, the inferior temporal cortex, and the medial temporal cortex. The superior temporal gyrus I where our hearing and language come in. The inferior temporal cortex helps us identify complex visual patterns. The medial temporal cortex is what we rely on for memory (Pinel, 2009).
4. Occipital lobe
This is what is used to help us analyze the visual input which guides our behavior. Without it we may act differently than what we currently act because we wouldn’t see things the same way (Pinel, 2009).
5. Frontal lobe
Each frontal lobe has two very unique functional areas which are the precentral gyrus and the frontal cortex which is right beside it which have motor capabilities. Frontal lobes are also one of the four main regions of the cerebral cortex. This is where all your planning and decision making goes on and how you solve problems (About.com, 2012).
6. Cerebrum
Cerebrum means cerebral hemispheres. When comparing the cerebrum to the brain stem it is known to be more complex and have an adaptive process such as your learning capabilities, your perception of things and your motivation towards doing things (Pinel, …show more content…
Hippocampus
Hippocampus is a huge component of the brain of a human. It plays an important role with short-term and long term memory and spatial navigation. There are two hippocampus in each human brain and it is closely associated with the cerebral cortex (About.com, 2012).
12. Amygdala
If you were to look at the temporal lobe of the brain you would find an almond shaped mass of a nuclei located very deep. It is a limbic system structure and it is what we would know as what makes us cry and what makes us get motivated to exercise. It is also part of the brain that helps you process fear, anger and pleasure (About.com, 2012).
13. Pituitary gland
It is a gland that dangles from the ventral surface of the brain. It exerts hormones and it’s literal meaning is snot gland, how lovely. It is known as the master gland because of how it directs other types of organs and endocrine glands. Those glands would consist of the adrenal glands which in turn can be used to suppress or amp up hormone production (Pinel, 2009).
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