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Lobes of the Brain

The document discusses brain plasticity and the structure of the brain, detailing the functions of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain, including their respective lobes and key components. It also covers brain imaging techniques and neural transmission, explaining how neurons communicate through neurotransmitters. Additionally, it touches on the role of neurotransmitters in mental disorders.

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deobionce0620
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4 views

Lobes of the Brain

The document discusses brain plasticity and the structure of the brain, detailing the functions of the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain, including their respective lobes and key components. It also covers brain imaging techniques and neural transmission, explaining how neurons communicate through neurotransmitters. Additionally, it touches on the role of neurotransmitters in mental disorders.

Uploaded by

deobionce0620
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Brain: Plasticity

The brain’s ability to change, adapt, and reorganize


itself is called brain plasticity
Forebrain, Midbrain, and Hindbrain
Forebrain: The Lobes of the Brain

The forebrain is divided into four lobes.


Forebrain: The Frontal Lobe

• Contains the motor cortex (below) involved in


planning and coordinating movement
• Contains the prefrontal cortex responsible for
higher-level cognitive functioning
• Contains Broca’s area essential for language
production
Forebrain: The Parietal Lobe

• Contains
the somatosensory
cortex which processes
sensory information
• Organized
topographically, which
means that spatial
relationships that exist
in the body are
maintained on the
surface of the
somatosensory cortex
Forebrain: The Temporal Lobe

• Contains the auditory cortex which processes


auditory information and Wernicke’s area (below)
which is important for speech comprehension
• Also associated with memory and emotion
Forebrain: The Occipital Lobe
• Contains the primary visual cortex, which
interprets visual information
• Organized retinotopically, which means there is a
close relationship between the position of an
object in a person’s visual field and the position of
that object’s representation on the cortex
Forebrain: Thalamus

The thalamus
serves as the
relay center of
the brain where
most senses are
routed for
processing
Forebrain: The Limbic System

• Amygdala: structure involved in our


experience of emotion and tying
emotional meaning to our memories
• Hippocampus: structure associated with
learning and memory
• Hypothalamus: structure that regulates
sexual motivation and behavior and a
number of homeostatic processes;
serves as an interface between the
nervous system and the endocrine
system
Midbrain

• The substantia nigra (Latin for


“black substance”) and
the ventral tegmental area (VTA)
contain cell bodies that produce
the neurotransmitter dopamine,
and are critical for movement.
• The reticular formation is centered
in the midbrain and is important in
regulating the sleep/wake cycle,
arousal, alertness, and motor
activity.
Hindbrain
• The medulla controls the automatic
processes of the autonomic nervous
system, such as breathing, blood
pressure, and heart rate
• The pons connects the brain and spinal
cord
• The cerebellum controls balance,
coordination, movement, and motor
skills
Brain Imaging Techniques

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan


• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Discussion Forum

• Imagine you are on an airplane preparing to jump


out for your first-ever experience skydiving
• Which nervous systems would be involved, and in
what way? How would your endocrine system
react?
• What role would the forebrain, midbrain, and
hindbrain play in your skydiving experience?
Quick Review

• What are the basic structures of a neuron and the


function of each structure?
• How do messages travel through the neuron?
• What is the role of the nervous system and
endocrine systems?
• What are the parts of the brain?
• How do nature, nurture, and epigenetics
influence personality and behavior?
Neurotransmitters
Neural Transmission
How is information transmitted in the brain?
Neural Transmission
● Neurons are separated by a gap (synapse)
● The neurons “communicate” at the synapse
● Neuron structure: dendrite, cell-body, axon
● Electrical signals are transmitted chemically across the synapse
● The signals stimulate the “pockets” at the tip of the axon to
release neurotransmitter
Neural Transmission
● Electro- chemical transmission
● The signal stimulates the vesicles
● Vesicles release the neurotransmitter into the synapse
● Neurotransmitter: Chemical substance released from a neuron into
the synaptic cleft it drifts across the synapse and is absorbed by the
receiving neuron
● The signal “floats” on the neurotransmitter to the next neuron
● Neurons form inter-connected pathways
Selected
Neurotransmitters
Involved in Some
Mental Disorders
Selected Neurotransmitters Involved in Some
Mental Disorders

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