BIO 263 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Substantia Nigra, Medulla Oblongata, Superior Colliculus
Brain Powerpoint
Gray Matter- location of data manipulation, neurons
White matter- connecting cables, extensions of neurons (axons) and associated electrical
insulation (fat)
- Thickness is indication of amount of information in area
**All regions have both, some have more than others**
Regions of the Brain
Cerebrum- consciousness, memory and store, muscle contraction (conscious and
subconscious)
Diencephalon- thalamus and hypothalamus
1. Thalamus- sensory processing
2. Hypothalamus- control emotions, autonomic functions, hormone production
Mesencephalon- visual/auditory process, reflexive somatic motor responses, consciousness
Pons- gives info to thalamus and cerebellum
- Subconscious somatic/visceral motor centers
Medulla Oblongata- sensory info → thalamus and brainstem
- Regulation of visceral functions
Cerebellum- complex motor patterns, adjust somatic output
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Medulla
1. Continuation of spinal cord
2. Signals traveling to and from brain through the copious white matter
3. Also contains gray matter clusters (nuclei) for some important body functions
4. Regulation of heart rate (cardiovascular center)
5. Tell you to breathe (respiratory rhythmic center)
Nucleus = Gray Matter + White Matter
Mesencephalon/ Midbrain
● has a lot of white matter that is still relaying info up and down the nervous system
● Important nuclei
○ Superior colliculus
■ Sound and vision localization (i.e. hearing something in the woods)
○ Substantia nigra
■ Source of dopamine
■ Parkinson's = no more dopamine
Thalamus
● relay station for nearly all sensory information going to the brain (cerebrum)
● very selective filter for information
Hypothalamus
●few neurons, nuclei regulate heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, kidney function, lactation,
thirst, hunger, sexual desire, and body temperature
●Sends signals elsewhere in body, interface between cerebrum and physiology
Cerebellum
●Second largest brain region (1st largest by number of neurons)
●ASSISTS coordinating and timing muscle contractions across body
●ASSISTS sensory processing
●ASSISTS emotional/language processing
○i.e. symptoms visible in drunk person, just assists (can still walk/talk/process)
○Can be absent with a fluid filled cavity
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
White matter- connecting cables, extensions of neurons (axons) and associated electrical insulation (fat) Thickness is indication of amount of information in area. **all regions have both, some have more than others** Cerebrum- consciousness, memory and store, muscle contraction (conscious and subconscious) Diencephalon- thalamus and hypothalamus: thalamus- sensory processing, hypothalamus- control emotions, autonomic functions, hormone production. Mesencephalon- visual/auditory process, reflexive somatic motor responses, consciousness. Medulla oblongata- sensory info thalamus and brainstem. Signals traveling to and from brain through the copious white matter. Also contains gray matter clusters (nuclei) for some important body functions. Has a lot of white matter that is still relaying info up and down the nervous system. Sound and vision localization (i. e. hearing something in the woods) Relay station for nearly all sensory information going to the brain (cerebrum) Few neurons, nuclei regulate heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, kidney function, lactation, thirst, hunger, sexual desire, and body temperature. Sends signals elsewhere in body, interface between cerebrum and physiology.
