Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Objectives 31.2 The Central Nervous System - Discuss the functions of the brain and spinal cord. -Describe the effects of drugs on the brain.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System vocab WordDefinition ReflexQuick, automatic response to stimulus CerebrumPart of the brain responsible for voluntary activities of the body, thinking region of the brain Cerebral cortexOuter layer of the cerebrum of a mammals brain, center of thinking and other complex behaviors ThalamusBrain structure that receives messages from sense organs & relays info to the proper region of the cerebrum for further processing HypothalamusStructure of the brain that acts as a control center for recognition and analysis of hunger, thirst, fatigue, anger, & body temp (interacts with endocrine system) CerebellumPart of the brain that coordinates movement & controls balance Brain stemStructure that connects the brain and spinal cord, includes medulla oblongata & the pons dopamineNeurotransmitter associated with the brains pleasure & reward center

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System The Central Nervous System consists of: 1. Brain 2. Spinal Cord

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System The Spinal Cord The spinal cord is the main communication link between the brain and the rest of the body. Certain kinds of information, including reflexes, are processed by the spinal cord. A reflex is a quick, automatic response to a stimulus.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System The Brain The Brain is the most complex organ in the human body. This tissue weighs about 3 lbs and contains a staggering one hundred billion neurons.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Hemispheres A deep groove divides the cerebrum into left and right hemispheres. The hemispheres are connected by a band of tissue called the corpus callosum. Each hemisphere deals mainly with the opposite side of the body.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Cerebrum The largest region of the human brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum is responsible for the voluntary activities of the body, as well as, for intelligence, learning and judgment.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System The Lobes The Four Lobes are: 1. Frontal Lobe ~ emotional center & personality 2. Parietal Lobe ~ reading & speech 3. Temporal Lobe ~ hearing & smell 4. Occipital Lobe ~ vision

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Cerebral Cortex The cerebral cortex processes information from the sense organs and controls body movements.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Limbic System Emotion, behavior and memory have all been linked to the limbic system.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Thalamus and Hypothalamus The thalamus receives messages from sensory receptors throughout the body and then relays the information to the proper region of the cerebrum. The hypothalamus is the control center for hunger, thirst, fatigue, anger and body temperature. The hypothalamus also helps to coordinate the nervous and endocrine systems.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Cerebellum The second largest region of the brain is the cerebellum. Balance and muscle coordination involved in walking, dancing and other movements are controlled by the cerebellum.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Brain Stem The brain stem connects the brain and spinal cord. The brain stem includes three regions—the midbrain, the pons and the medulla oblongata. All vital functions are controlled by the Brain Stem!

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview The Central Nervous System Addiction and the Brain Although the chemistry of each drug is different, they all produce changes in the group of synapses that use the neurotransmitter dopamine, and are associated with the brain’s pleasure and reward centers.