Brain Dissection Questions

1. Here is a picture of our dissected sheep brain with the labeled parts! The posterior side is black, the anterior side is white, the cerebrum is yellow, the cerebellum is green, and the brain stem is pink.

2.

Anterior: The anterior part of the brain is the most front part, and is comprised of the frontal lobe.
Anterior function: The frontal lobe is responsible for intellectual activities such as personality, the ability to empathize, organization, and behavior.

Posterior: The posterior part of the brain is the most back part of the brain and is comprised of the occipital lobe (and brain stem).
Posterior Function: The occipital lobe is responsible for vision.

Cerebrum: Comprised of the two separated hemispheres (left and right).
Cerebrum Function: The cerebrum integrates complex sensory and neural functions that control voluntary activities in the body.

Cerebellum: located at the bottom of the skull near the brain stem.
Cerebellum Function: The cerebellum regulates balancing and fine motor skills and allows for smooth movement.

Brain Stem: Lowest part of the brain, leads to spinal chord.
Brain Stem Function: The brain stem regulates functions that are autonomic, such as heart rate, consciousness, and blood pressure. It also helps carry signals from the body to the brain.

3. The purpose of the myelin in a neuron is to increase the speed at which an impulse can move along a myelinated fiber. It also provides insulation and protects the neuron.

4. Here is a picture of our cross section. The thalamus is yellow, the optic nerve is green, the medulla oblongata is silver, the pons is white, the midbrain is blue, the corpus callosum is red, and the hypothalamus is black.

5.
Thalamus: relays messages between the lower brain center and cerebral cortex.
optic nerve: transfer visual information from retina to occipital lobe.
medulla oblongata: controls heart rate and respiration rate.
pons: regulates respiration, links cerebrum and cerebellum.
midbrain: responsible for vision, awakeness, hearing, and motor control.
corpus callosum: between left and right hemispheres, allows for communication between the two hemispheres.
hypothalamus: linked to emotions and eating, controls endocrine system.

6. Here is a picture of the drawing of our cross section; the gray matter has been shaded and labeled, as well as the parts with white matter.