Brain Areas

Main idea: brain is organized into separate functions, reason for many voices in one's head. You are expected to know for the test the 16 key brain areas, what part of the brain (e.g. lower, limbic, cortex - both sides, cortex - one side) they are in, what function they do, and how that function is part of that part of the brain's general functioning.

Cerebral Cortex:
1. Cortexes: one area for each sense and the association areas. Which areas of the body have the biggest part of the motor and sensory cortex, and why?
2. Split brain: What are the main functions that are only handled in one hemisphere? How is speech broken down?

How are the different areas associated with movement different from each other?
How are the different areas associated with langauge different from each other?
How are the different areas associated with being awake/alert different from each other?

o Application question: How is memory in limbic system different than memory cerebral cortex?
o Application task: pick 3 brain areas that are somewhat similar and describe an activity (or part of activity) where one area would be more active than the other parts. e.g. motor cortex, sensory cortex, and

Example Questions

2. Find one area of the text that talks about brain areas related to some other topic. For examples, in the memory chapter it talks about the hippocampus and in the disorders chapter it talks about the dopamine hypothesis for schizophrenia. There are many examples; look up any brain area in the index. Describe the idea discussed and explain which brain areas are involved.

6. Describe one activity and which part of it would be processed in the old brain/brain stem, the mid brain/limbic system, and which part in the cortex/new brain. Activities: riding a horse, playing an instrument, driving a car, calling a friendŠ

5. When you are learning a sport (say, doing some kind of drill during practice), which areas of your brain probably are most active? Name one brain area and describe what thoughts, behaviors, or feelings it is helping do.

6. Your cat hears the sound of a can opener opening a can (any can, not just cat food) and comes running to the kitchen. Name one brain area and describe what thoughts, behaviors, or feelings it is helping do.

6. You are driving a car. In the moment before a car accident, name one brain area and describe what thoughts, behaviors, or feelings it is helping do.

3. Think of a job/career that you might end up doing. Choose one task from that job, and describe 3 brain areas that are likely to be more active than usual.

4. Find one area of the text that talks about brain areas related to some other topic. E.g.in memory where it talks the hippocampus, in the disorders chapter where it talks about dopamine hypothesis for schizophrenia; there's many examples, look up any brain area in the index. Describe the idea discussed and explain which brain areas are involved.

Describe one activity and which part of it would be processed in the old brain/brain stem, the mid brain/limbic system, and which part in the cortex/new brain. Activities: riding a horse, playing an instrument, driving a car, calling a friendŠ

1. When you are cooking a familiar recipe (say, spiced chicken and rice), describe one area of your brain that are probably more active than usual. For the area you chose - describe what part of the activity it may be processing.

6. Jane is given 2 PET scans, one while re-reading her favorite book for the twentieth time, and one reading a textbook for her first class in computer science Describe one area that would have MORE activity in ONE scan than the OTHER, and why.