PSYC 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Medial Geniculate Nucleus, Substantia Nigra, Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
11 Oct 2016
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Gyri/sulci: the folds the brain has made to be able to fit inside the skull. Important for basic bodily functions: respiration, heart rate regulation, reflexes. Damage to this part is often fatal. High alcohol levels can suppress medulla activity and cause heart/respiratory failure. Act as a bridge between the medulla and other brain areas. Involved in sleep, dreaming, breathing, swallowing, eye movements, facial sensations and expressions. Contains the locus coeruleus: neurons of this part have long axons that project throughout the brain and spinal cord. Influence much of the cns: use norepinephrine. Back of the brain, on top of the pons and medulla. Once a movement is learned, cerebellum stores the learned motor information. Important for certain types of learning involving movement. Form an area known as the reticular formation: regulates the sleep-wake cycle, plays a role in wakefulness and levels of arousal. General anesthetics work by reducing activity in the reticular formation: leaving the patient unconscious.
