Name:
Date:
The Story of the Brain
The brain is a very complicated organ. The
largest region of the brain is the cerebrum.
This area of the brain is responsible for
voluntary activities such as walking and talking.
It is also the site of intelligence, learning and
judgment. The cerebrum is divided into 4
lobes: the parietal, temporal, frontal and
occipital lobe. A deep groove called the
longitudinal fissure separates the cerebrum
into right and left hemispheres (halves). The
right hemisphere controls the left side of the
body, while the right hemisphere controls the
left side of the body. A person may be
referred to as “left” or “right-brained”. Someone who is left-brain dominant may
be good at math, likes to read, makes rational decisions and is highly organized.
Someone who is right-brain dominant enjoys sports, art, is spontaneous and solves
problems intuitively.
1. The cerebrum is responsible for voluntary activity such as walking or talking.
Name two other voluntary activities (note – intelligence, learning and
judgment are NOT voluntary activities):
2. The cerebrum is divided into four lobes. Name them:
3. The two “halves” of the brain are also called?
4. Are you primarily right brained, left brained or a little of both?
The cerebellum is the second largest part of the
brain. It is located at the posterior/inferior
aspect of the brain. It is responsible for muscle
balance and coordination. The brain stem connects
the brain and the spinal cord. The brain and spinal
cord are completely encased in bone. The brain
stem is located just beneath the cerebellum and is
composed of the pons and the medulla oblongata.
The brain stem is responsible for breathing, blood
pressure, swallowing and heart rate.
5. Where is the cerebellum located?
6. What is the cerebellum responsible for?
7. The brain and spinal cord are completely encased in bone. Knowing this, what
advantage does this have?
8. What two structures compose the brain stem?
9. If someone were to severely injure their brain stem, what functions would
be affected?
10. Are the functions of the brain stem considered voluntary or involuntary
functions?
The thalamus and hypothalamus are located
deep within the brain between the
cerebrum and the brain stem. The function
of the thalamus is to receive messages
from sensory receptors. The 5 senses are:
Vision, smell, taste, hearing and touch. The
purpose of the hypothalamus is to control
hunger, thirst, fatigue (tired), anger and
body temperature. For example, if you do
not take in enough fluids, your
hypothalamus will receive this message and
signal a thirst “response”, which will cause
you to seek out water to quench your thirst!
11. Between what two structures of the brain are the thalamus and
hypothalamus located?
12. When you taste and smell food, which part of the brain receives these
messages?
13. What are the 5 senses?
14. What is the hypothalamus responsible for?
15. Which part of the brain would be responsible for enabling you to stay awake
during the day, even if you didn’t get a good night’s sleep?