Structure of Brain Function
MEDULLA OBLONGATA Where most fibers cross, resulting in contralateral (opposite
side) control.
Regulates heart rhythm, blood flow, breathing rate,
digestion, vomiting.
PONS Includes portion of reticular activating system (a.k.a.
reticular formation) critical for arousal.
Bridge between cerebral hemispheres and both medulla and
cerebellum.
CEREBELLUM Coordinates motor function, integrating motion and
positional information from the inner ear and muscles.
Helps maintain balance.
BASIL GANGLIA Links the thalamus with the motor cortex and other motor
(orbasal nuclei) areas.
Regulates initiation of movements, balance, eye movements,
and posture.
Involved in reward/punishment learning and focus.
Some nuclei (neural clusters) involved in emotion.
THALAMUS Relay “station” for sensory pathways carrying visual,
auditory, taste, somatosensory information to/from
appropriate areas of cerebral cortex.
Some nuclei (neural clusters) involved in emotion.
HYPOTHALAMUS Controls autonomic functions such as body temperature and
heart rate via control of sympathetic and parasympathetic
centers in the medulla.
Sets appetitive drives (such as thirst, hunger, sexual desire)
and behaviors.
Sets emotional states, such as rage, with the limbic system.
Integrates with endocrine system by secretion of hormones
that regulate hormones from pituitary.
Helps determine biological rhythms, such as the menstrual
cycle.
AMYGDALA Influences aggression and fear. Coordinates fight-or-flight
response.
Important in formation of sensory memory.
HIPPOCAMPUS Enables formation of new long-term memories.
CEREBRAL CORTEX Receives and processes sensory information and directs movement.
Center for higher order processes such as thinking, planning,
judgment.
Just as a map or globe can be divided into hemispheres and continents, your cerebral
cortex can be divided into eight lobes, four in the left cerebral hemisphere and four in the
right cerebral hemisphere (see Figure 7.2). Go to http://www.g2conline.org and click on 3-D
Brain for a more detailed view of a three-dimensional brain model. You can download it as
an app.
Region of Brain Function
OCCIPITAL LOBES Information from left half of visual field of both eyes is
processed in right occipital lobe, from right visual field in
left occipital lobe.
PARIETAL LOBES Somatosensory cortex (for touch sensations) is the front strip.
Contralateral representation of all body parts.
Biological Bases of Behavior 69