Maintaining A Dynamic Equilibrium

Homeostasis… What is homeostasis? Homeostasis is the ability of organisms to maintain a steady internal state. What types of things are controlled by it? Internal temperature Sugar levels Blood pressure Urea concentration—and many more!

Where does the nervous system fit in? There are several organs that help us maintain homeostasis, but there is one organ in particular that helps coordinate the other organs: The Brain

What the heck is a brain? The brain is a complex and convoluted network of neurons (nerve cells.) It consists of grey matter and white matter.

A Closer Look at the Brain to cerebellum to hypothalamus to corpus callosum To medulla oblongata

The Cerebrum X is the cerebrum: The cerebrum is LATIN for brain. This is the area of the brain responsible for consciousness. It is the largest section of the brain and it consists of 4 lobes.

Here is a picture…

More about the cerebrum The cerebrum contains some of the most important sections of the brain including… 1) The motor cortex—controls movements of muscles. 2) The somatosensory cortex—controls anything to do with the 5 senses. 3) Auditory cortex—specific to memory of sounds. 4) Visual Cortex—specific to memory of sights.

The Cortexes of the cerebrum back

The Cerebellum Z is the cerebellum. This is the section of the brain in charge of coordination and balance. back

The Hypothalamus W is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is in charge of maintaining many functions in the body. It regulates body temperature and controls the actions of the pituitary. back

Corpus Callosum Y is the corpus callosum. The corpus callosum is in charge of relaying messages between the to cerebral hemispheres (left and right brains.) back

Medulla Oblongata V is the medulla oblongata. This part of the brain is in charge of heartbeat, blood pressure and breathing. I would also like you to label the pituitary and the spinal cord—I will show you where they are. back