PSY 2301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Reticular Formation, Grey Matter, Basal Ganglia

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 2301
• Professor: Andra Smith

Document Summary

Human brain is a complex mammalian brain, yet it still retains most of the features of other less complex mammalian brains. Most behaviors are not the product of a single locus in the brain, but rather of many brain areas and levels. The spinal cord: controls most body movements, can act independently of the brain. Spinal reflex: automatic movement, hard to prevent (brain cannot inhibit, example: knee-jerk reflex (patellar tendon) The brainstem: begins where spinal cord enters the skull, produces movement and creates a sensory world, three regions: Hindbrain: evolutionarily the oldest part of the brain, contains: Controls complex movements and has a role in a variety of cognitive functions. Size of cerebellum increases with the physical speed and dexterity of a species: reticular formation. Netlike mixture of neurons (gray matter) and nerve fibers (white matter) Regulation of sleep-wake behaviour and behavioural: pons ( bridge ) arousal. Connects cerebellum to the rest of the brain.