The Brain The Developing Brain Parts of the Brain & their Function Lobes of the Brain Split Brain Studies Environment’s affect on Brain Brain Plasticity

Early Brain Mapping: Phrenology By studying the lumps on a person’s skull, early scientists thought that they could map out the brain. Not accurate But did lead to the idea of localization of brain functions.

The Brainstem

Hindbrain Structures Cerebellum Brainstem –medulla –reticular formation –pons

Medulla Breathing Heart rate Digestion Other vital reflexes –swallowing –coughing –vomiting –sneezing

Reticular Formation Network of neurons in the brainstem (and thalamus) Sleep and arousal Attention

Pons Helps coordinate movements on left and right sides of the body –e.g., postural reflexes which help you maintain balance while standing or moving

Cerebellum Word actually means “little brain” Coordinated, rapid voluntary movements –e.g., playing the piano, kicking, throwing, etc. Place where procedural memories are kept. –e.g. how to ride a bike, swim Lesions to cerebellum –jerky, exaggerated movements –difficulty walking – loss of balance – shaking hands

Midbrain Structures Middle Region involved in visual & auditory processing. Early warning system gets you ready for flight or fight

Forebrain Structures Thalamus Limbic System Cortex

Thalamus Relay station in brain Processes most information to and from higher brain centers Like the Post Office taking incoming messages and delivering them

The Limbic System Hypothalamus Amygdala Hippocampus

Parts of the Limbic System Amygdala Emotional Center of the Brain. Deals primarily with fear & aggression.

Amygdala and Emotion Identify emotion from facial expressions Plays a role in fear & aggression Amygdala damage makes this task difficult (click on picture to advance photos)

Parts Of The Limbic System Hippocampus Helps us form new memories. What happens when this is damaged? View the video of Clive Wearing.

Parts of the Limbic System Hypothalamus Provides us with pleasurable feelings for doing the things that keep our species alive.

Hypothalamus Involved in the 5 F’s –1. Food/Thirst, –2. Flight, –3. Fight, –4. Furnace (Temperature) –5. Fornication –sexual behavior –hunger, thirst –sleep –water and salt balance –body temperature regulation –circadian rhythms –role in hormone secretion

Hypothalamus – Pleasure Center of the Brain Rat with an electrode implanted in a reward center of its hypothalamus, See some actual footage of this.See some actual footage of this Rat readily crosses an electrified grid, accepting the painful shocks, to press a lever that sends electrical impulses to its "pleasure centers." How often did the rat press the lever in an hour? 7,000 times!!! It finally collapsed from exhaustion (Olds 1958)

Hypothalamus and Hormones Hypothalamus releases hormones or releasing factors which in turn cause pituitary gland to release its hormones Feedback Loop lets brain know when to start & stop secreting hormones

DAILY DOUBLE

What are the 5 F’s that the Hypothalamus influences? 1.Food/Thirst 2.Flight 3.Fight 4.Furnace – Body temperature 5.Fornication