Question

Write one – two sentence descriptions of the following:

nervous system

endocrine system

central core

limbic system,

cerebral cortex

Write a “test question” about neuroplasticity. [What is a question you would ask a classmate that would assess that he/she understood neuroplasticity?]

Describe how the left and right hemispheres of the brain operate. How does lateralization describe the functions of the left and right hemispheres?

Answer 1

The nervous system is the bodily system {subdivided into the CNS (Central Nervous System) and PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)}, which carries the sensory input received throught the neurons to the brain where the input is processed and integrated, thereby effectuating the motor output.

The endocrine system's function is to facilitate the integration of bodily activities and coordination between the cells and organs through the secretion of chemical messengers called hormones.

The central core referes to those regions of the brain that are responsibe for the basic life processes (biological and sensory) such as breathing, sleeping, moving, etc. The regions are: cerebellum, medulla, pons, reticular formation and thalamus.

The limbic system, the core components of which include the hippocampus and the amygdala, is that part in the brain that is majorly responsible for the processing of emotions. Some of the other functions include learning and memory.

The cerebral cortex is the outer layer that forms the surface of the cerebral hemispheres, is densely packed with neurons, and as a result, is responsible for all of the higher mental functions.

Test question on neuroplasticity: Does neuroplasticity happen throughtout out lives? Please justify.

The brain and lateralization: Lateralization refers to specifc regions of the brain being responsible for specific behaviors and skills. The left and right hemispheres differ significantly and qualitatively with regard to between- and within-hemisphere interactions, wherein, the left hemisphere (LH) interacts predominantly with itself, while the right hemisphere (RH) interacts integratively with both hemispheres. The LH has its main functions as language and fine motor control, and the RH as visuospatial and attentional processing. Therefore, the magnitude of lateralization of a function is that which determines whether or not a particular ability is enhanced or diminished.