Biology Unit 2: Chapter 14 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What structures make up the brainstem?

The brainstem is made up of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata.

Name the four major regions of the brain.

The four major regions of the brain are the cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, and brainstem.

What brain regions make up the brainstem?

The brainstem is made up of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Which primary brain vesicle is destined to form the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata?

The rhombencephalon or hindbrain. Signup and view all the answers

List the maters surrounding the brain from the deepest layer to the most superficial layer.

The maters surrounding the brain (from deepest to most superficial) are the pia mater, the arachnoid mater, and the dura mater. Signup and view all the answers

From superficial to deep, name the layers that make up the cranial meninges.

The layers of the cranial meninges are the outer dura mater, the middle arachnoid mater, and the inner pia mater. Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if the normal circulation or resorption of CSF were blocked?

CSF would continue to be produced at the choroid plexus in each ventricle, but the fluid would remain there, causing the ventricles to swell—a condition known as hydrocephalus. Signup and view all the answers

How would decreased diffusion across the arachnoid granulations affect the volume of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles?

Less CSF would reenter the bloodstream, and CSF would accumulate in the ventricles. Signup and view all the answers

Many water-soluble molecules that are abundant in the blood occur in small amounts or not at all in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the brain. Why?

The blood-brain barrier regulates the movement of such molecules from the blood to the ECF of the brain. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the components of the medulla oblongata that are responsible for relaying somatic sensory information to the thalamus.

The gracile nucleus and cuneate nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

The medulla oblongata is one of the smallest sections of the brain, yet damage there can cause death. Why?

It contains many vital autonomic reflex centers, including those that control breathing and regulate heart rate and force of contraction. Signup and view all the answers

Name the four groups of components found in the pons.

(1) Sensory and motor nuclei of cranial nerves (V, VI, VII, and VIII), (2) Nuclei involved with the control of respiration, (3) Nuclei and tracts that process and relay information sent to or from the cerebellum, (4) Ascending, descending, and transverse pontine fibers. Signup and view all the answers

If the respiratory centers of the pons were damaged, what respiratory controls might be lost?

Result in loss of ability to modify the respiratory rhythmicity centers of the medulla oblongata. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sensory nuclei within the corpora quadrigemina.

Two pairs of sensory nuclei: the superior colliculi and inferior colliculi. Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the midbrain controls reflexive movements of the eyes, head, and neck in response to visual stimuli?

The superior colliculi of the midbrain. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the components of the cerebellar gray matter.

Include the cerebellar cortex and cerebellar nuclei. Signup and view all the answers

What part of the brain has the arbor vitae? What is its function?

The arbor vitae, which is the internal, white matter part of the cerebellum, connects the cerebellar cortex and nuclei with the cerebellar peduncles. Signup and view all the answers

Name the main components of the diencephalon.

The epithalamus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. Signup and view all the answers

Damage to the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus would interfere with the functions of which special sense?

With the sense of sight. Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the diencephalon is stimulated by changes in body temperature?

Changes in body temperature stimulate the pre-optic area of the hypothalamus. Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary functions of the limbic system?

The limbic system is responsible for emotions, behavior, and memory. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Brainstem Structure and Functions

Composed of three key parts: midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
Responsible for regulating essential autonomic functions including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Major Brain Regions

Four primary regions: cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, and brainstem.

Brain Vesicles

The rhombencephalon, also known as the hindbrain, develops into the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Meninges Layers

Protective layers enveloping the brain from deepest to most superficial: pia mater, arachnoid mater, dura mater (with meningeal cranial dura and periosteal cranial dura).

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Circulation

Blockage in CSF circulation can lead to hydrocephalus, characterized by swollen ventricles due to trapped fluid.
Decreased diffusion across arachnoid granulations results in higher CSF volume in ventricles and potential brain damage.

Blood-Brain Barrier

Regulates the movement of water-soluble molecules from blood to the brain's extracellular fluid, leading to low levels of these molecules in CSF.

Medulla Oblongata Functions

Contains the gracile and cuneate nuclei, which relay somatic sensory information to the thalamus.
Vital center for autonomic reflexes; damage can have fatal consequences due to control over crucial functions such as respiration and heart rate.

Pons Components

Consists of sensory and motor nuclei for cranial nerves, nuclei involved in respiratory control, tracts for processing cerebellar information, and various pontine fibers.

Respiratory Control

Damage to pons could disrupt the modulation of respiratory rhythmicity set by the medulla oblongata.

Corpora Quadrigemina

Comprises two pairs of sensory nuclei: superior colliculi (visual reflexes) and inferior colliculi (auditory reflexes).

Midbrain Functions

Superior colliculi orchestrate reflexive eye, head, and neck movements in response to visual stimuli.

Cerebellar Gray Matter

Made up of the cerebellar cortex and cerebellar nuclei, crucial for motor control and coordination.

Arbor Vitae

Internal white matter of the cerebellum that connects the cerebellar cortex and nuclei with peduncles, aiding in coordinated movement.

Diencephalon Components

Contains the epithalamus, thalamus (including the lateral geniculate body for sight), and hypothalamus.

Hypothalamus Functions

The pre-optic area responds to body temperature changes, playing a role in thermoregulation.

Limbic System

Associated with emotions, memory, and arousal; essential for certain behaviors and emotional responses.

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Description

Prepare for your biology exam with these flashcards focusing on the brainstem and its major regions. Test your knowledge of the structures of the brain and their functions as outlined in Unit 2, Chapter 14. Get ready to master the key concepts of neuroanatomy!