1. Unit 3-B (B): Older Brain Structures
Mr. McCormick
A.P. Psychology

2. Do-Now (Discussion)
What type of information can be gained through the following neurological measurement tools?
E.E.G. (Electroencephalogram)
C.T. (Computed Tomography) Scan
P.E.T. (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan
M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
f.M.R.I. (Functional M.R.I.)

3. The Brain Brain-to-Body Weight Ratios of Living Organisms: Dinosaurs:
Elephants:
1/600th
Mice:
1/40th
Marmosets:
1/25th

4. Other than size, what else determines a species’ intelligence?
The Brain
Other than size, what else determines a species’ intelligence?

5. Older Brain Structures: The Brainstem
The complexities of brain structures serve as indicators of a species’ intellectual capacities
Brainstem:
Oldest part and central core of the brain
Beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull
Function:
Automatic survival functions

6. Older Brain Structures: The Brainstem
Medulla:
Base of the brainstem
Functions:
Controls heartbeat
Controls breathing
Pons:
Located above the medulla
Function:
Coordinates movement
Reticular Formation:
A nerve network in the brainstem
Controlling arousal

7. Older Brain Structures: The Brainstem
What types of automatic survival functions are controlled by the brainstem?
How do the medulla and reticular formation interact with the autonomic nervous system?
How do the pons interact with the somatic nervous system?

8. Older Brain Structures: The Brainstem and Thalamus

9. Older Brain Structures: The Thalamus & Cerebellum
Brain’s sensory switchboard
Located on top of the brainstem
Functions:
Directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex
Transmits replies to the cerebellum and medulla
Cerebellum:
“Little Brain”
Located at rear of brainstem
Processing sensory input
Coordinating movement output and balance

10. Older Brain Structures: The Thalamus & Cerebellum
With which types of neurons does the thalamus interact?
With which types of neurons does the cerebellum interact?

11. Older Brain Structures: The Cerebellum

12. Older Brain Structures: The Limbic System
Doughnut-shaped neural system
Located below the cerebral hemispheres
Includes:
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Hypothalamus
Functions:
Linked to Emotions/Drives

13. Older Brain Structures: The Limbic System

14. Older Brain Structures: The Limbic System
Hippocampus:
Function:
Processes Memory
Amygdala:
Two lima bean-sized neural clusters
Linked to Emotion
Hypothalamus:
Located below the thalamus
Functions:
Maintenance activities: eating, drinking, body temperature
Helps govern endocrine system (via pituitary gland)
Linked to emotion and reward

15. Older Brain Structures: The Limbic System
Imagine that you encounter an angry cat. Its back is arched, fur is fluffed, and pupils are dilated.
Which division of the autonomic nervous system is activated by this stimulation of its amygdala (neural center of emotion)?

16. Brain Structures and their Functions

17. Review Describe the functions of the following parts of the brain:
Brainstem
Medulla
Pons
Reticular Formation
Thalamus
Cerebellum
Limbic System:
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Hypothalamus

18. Homework Unit 3 Key People:
Research Study Response #1: “One Brain or Two?” (Pgs. 1-11)
Unit 3-B Quiz: “The Brain”
Unit 3 Project: “3-D Brain Model”