III. What Are the Basic Brain Structures and Their Functions? The Brainstem Houses the Basic Programs of Survival The Cerebellum Is Essential for Movement Subcortical Structures Control Emotions and Basic Drives The Cerebral Cortex Underlies Complex Mental Activity

III. What Are the Basic Brain Structures and Their Functions? The nervous system’s different parts all have essential roles The central nervous system (CNS) Spinal cord and the brain The peripheral nervous system (PNS) All the other nerve cells in the body

III. What Are the Basic Brain Structures and Their Functions? Psychological scientists have learned a great deal about the different brain regions through studying people with damaged brains Phineas Gage Broca’s area

This illustration shows the location of Broca’s area. 4

1. The Brainstem Houses the Basic Programs of Survival At the base of the skull, the top of the spinal cord forms the brainstem, which is involved in basic functions such as breathing and walking as well as general arousal Medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, reticular formation

Brainstem Medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain 6

2. The Cerebellum Is Essential for Movement The cerebellum (“little brain”), the bulging structure connected to the back of the brainstem, controls balance and is essential for movement

Cerebellum 8

3. Subcortical Structures Control Emotions and Basic Drives The subcortical structures play a key part in psychological functions Hypothalamus Controls vital functions Organs, body temp., blood pressure, hunger, thirst, motivation, emotion Thalamus Sensory relay All sensory information passes through before cortex (except smell)

3. Subcortical Structures Control Emotions and Basic Drives Hippocampus Memories Creates new neural connections after experiences Amygdala Emotions Associates emotions to experiences Especially important for fear responses Basal ganglia Planning and producing of movement Communicates between cortex and brainstem

Subcortical Structures 11

4. The Cerebral Cortex Underlies Complex Mental Activity The lobes of the cortex each play specific roles Occipital Vision Parietal Touch

4. The Cerebral Cortex Underlies Complex Mental Activity Temporal hearing and speech comprehension Frontal Planning and movement Prefrontal Cortex Prominent in humans Attention, working memory, decision making, personality

Cerebral Cortex 14

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IV. How Are Neural Messages Integrated into Communication Systems? The Peripheral Nervous System Includes the Somatic and Autonomic Systems The Endocrine System Communicates through Hormones Actions of the Nervous System and Endocrine System Are Coordinated

1. The PNS Includes the Somatic and Autonomic Systems Somatic system Relays sensory information Autonomic system The structures and functions that regulate the body’s internal environment Divided into the alarm response (sympathetic) and the return-to-normal response (parasympathetic)

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2. The Endocrine System Communicates through Hormones Both endocrine glands and organs produce and release chemical substances Travel to body tissues through the bloodstream and influence a variety of processes, including sexual behavior

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3. Actions of the Nervous System and Endocrine System Are Coordinated The endocrine system is controlled by the central nervous system Most of the central control of the endocrine system occurs through the actions of both the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland Pituitary gland controls the release of hormones from the rest of the endocrine glands CNS Pituitary Gland Endocrine Glands

V. How Does the Brain Change? The Interplay of Genes and Environment Wires the Brain The Brain Rewires Itself throughout Life The Brain Can Recover from Injury

1. The Interplay of Genes and Environment Wires the Brain Chemical signals influence the growth and function of cells Environmental experiences, especially during critical periods, are necessary for cells to develop properly and for them to make more detailed connections

2. The Brain Rewires Itself throughout Life Although plasticity decreases with age, the brain retains the ability to rewire itself throughout life Change in the strength of connections between neurons underlies learning Fire together, wire together The functions of portions of the cerebral cortex shift in response to activity

3. The Brain Can Recover from Injury The brain can reorganize its functions in response to brain damage This capacity decreases with age Anomalies in sensation and in perception, such as synesthesia, are attributed to cross-wiring connections in the brain