Learning Target

Identify the major parts of the brain using a diagram (cerebrum, cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata, brain stem, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe).

The Nervous System

• The nervous system collects information about the body’s internal and external environment, processes that information, and responds to it.

• Helps to maintain homeostasis in the human body

The Brain

• The brain is the body’s main control center.

• It controls bodily functions and responses such as movement, awareness, emotion, speech, and more.

Cerebrum

See Bottom Table:

• 2 hemispheres (right & left sides)

• Responsible for voluntary (conscious) body activities like intelligence, learning, and judgment.

The Four Lobes of the Brain

Each hemisphere of the cerebrum has FOUR lobes

Color each lobe of the brain on your handout accordingly
1. Frontal (Blue)
2. Parietal (Yellow)
3. Occipital (Red)
4. Temporal (Green)

Frontal Lobe

Processes information from all other areas of the brain.

Plays an important role in:

­Voluntary movements (ex. walking)

­Emotions and personality

­Decision-making and consequences; choosing good/bad

­Memory formation

​Located in front part of EACH hemisphere

​The frontal lobe in a human does not fully develop until around 25 years of age.

Parietal Lobe

 Cognition part of the brain; works using instinct.

Plays an important role in:

­Receiving signals of different sensations (pain, warmth, cold, pressure, and movement) from the skin.

Spatial awareness and perception (knowing where your body/limbs are placed)

​Located in the top/middle of EACH hemisphere

Occipital Lobe

Primary function is the processing, integration, interpretation, etc. of VISION and visual stimuli.

Recognition of size, color, light, motion, dimensions, etc.

​Located at the back of EACH hemisphere

Temporal Lobe

Responsible for hearing

Plays an important role in:

­Speech, hearing, and memory skills.

Organization and comprehension of language.

​Located behind the ears on both sides of the head

Other Structures of Brain

​For the remaining structures, make sure to label on the second brain diagram on your handout and include the basic function in the second table. If you did not label the cerebrum initially, make sure to go back and do that now.

Cerebellum

• Responsible for the coordination of movement and balance.

• Receives sensory information from nerves near joints and muscles, and information from visual and auditory systems.

­ Example - Hand-eye coordination

​Tucked partially beneath the cerebrum under occipital lobe at the back of the head.

Brain Stem

Includes three regions: midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

• Controls some of the body's most important functions, such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and swallowing.

• Helps regulate the flow of information between the brain and the rest of the body.

​Located at the bottom of the brain, connecting the brain to the spinal cord

Brain Stem-Pons

The "bridge" between cerebrum and cerebellum

• Handles unconscious processes and jobs, such as your sleep-wake cycle and breathing

• Works with the medulla oblongata to regulate blood and oxygen flow.

Portion of the brain stem above the medulla oblongata

Brain Stem-Medulla Oblongata

•  Responsible for controlling several autonomic body functions that occur without you thinking about them.

• These functions include breathing, heartbeats, blood vessel activity, swallowing, vomiting, and digestion.

Lowest portion of the brain stem, just above the spinal cord

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is a cluster of neurons (sensory cells) and other cells that carry signals and information between the body and the brain to help regulate homeostasis.

Located underneath the brain stem and runs through the spinal canal (back bone) to the lower back