Mcat Brain

Front 1

What does the cerebellum control?

Back 1

The cerebellum is the integrating center of the brain. It coordinates complex movements, and contributes to balance and posture.

Front 2

Name the part of the brain that controls skilled voluntary movements and balance

Back 2

The cerebellum

Front 3

What are the general functions of the spinal cord?

Back 3

The spinal cord controls simple reflexes and primitive processes such as walking, urination, and sex organ function.

Front 4

What are the general functions of the Medulla? (there are three)

Back 4

1) controls autonomic processes such as blood pressure, blood flow, heart rate, respiratory rate, swallowing, and vomiting

2) Controls coughing and sneezing reflexes.

3) Relays sensory information to the cerebellum and the thalamus

Front 5

What are the general functions of the Pons? (There are two)

Back 5

1) Relays information to the thalamus and cerebellum. It connects the spinal cord and medulla to with upper regions of the brain. (Pons means "bridge" in Latin).

2) Controls basic posture and balance.

Front 6

What are the general functions of the midbrain? (There are three)

Back 6

1) Visual and auditory reflexes.

2) Eye movements.

3) Wakefulness and consciousness

Front 7

What are the general functions of the thalamus? (There is one).

Back 7

Relay center for somatic (conscious) sensation

Front 8

What are the general functions of the hypothalamus? (There are two)

Back 8

1) Controls homeostatic functions (e.g. temperature regulation) through both neural and hormonal regulation

2) Controls primitive emotions such as anger, rage, and sex drive

Front 9

What brain structure controls the pituitary gland?

Back 9

The hypothalamus

Front 10

Name three homeostatic functions controlled by the hypothalamus

Back 10

1) Temperature regulation

2) Fluid balance (thirst)

3) Energy (hunger)

Front 11

What are the general functions of the basal nuclei?

Back 11

The basal nuclei are generally involved in movement. Specifically, they:

1) Coordinate learned movement patterns.

2) Make subconcious adjustments to conscious movements.

Front 12

What are the general functions of the limbic system? (There are three)

Back 12

1) controls emotional states (amygdala)

2) connects conscious and unconscious parts of the brain

3) helps with memory storage and retrieval (hippocampus)

Front 13

What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex?

Where are they located?

Back 13

Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, and Occipital

Front 14

What are the general functions controlled by the cerebral cortex?

Back 14

Generally, the cerebral cortex is involved in conscious thought processes, planning, and higher level intellectual functions (e.g. abstract reasoning). It is also involved in membrane storage and retrieval, and the initiation and coordination of complex voluntary movements.

Front 15

What does the occipital lobe control?

Back 15

Primary visual proccessing (e.g. detecting the edges and features of objects)

Front 16

If you are having visual hallucinations, what part of the brain may be malfunctioning?

Back 16

The occipital lobe

Front 17

What does the temporal lobe control? (2 answers).

Back 17

1) Comprehending language and other auditory processing.

2) Storing and retrieving memories (the hippocampus is in the temporal lobe)

Front 18

What does the parietal lobe control? (2 answers).

Back 18

1) Spatial sense and navigation.

2) Contains the somatosensory cortex (sense of touch)

Front 19

What are the general functions of the frontal lobe? (There are two).

Back 19

1) Contains the primary motor cortex, which initiates all voluntary movements.

2) Involved in complex reasoning and problem solving

Front 20

What are the two divisions of the nervous system?

Back 20

Central Nervous System (CNS) - the brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord

Front 21

What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Back 21

Somatic - voluntary control of skeletal muscle

Autonomic - involuntary control of glands and smooth muscle

Front 22

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Back 22

Sympathetic - "fight or flight"

Parasympathetic - "rest and digest"