Human Anatomy & Physiology (Human Body Systems)

Unit 2: Unit 2: Communication (Nervous & Endocrine)HBS 2.1Human Body Systems: nervous system

Identify the major brain structures

Locate the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem and match each to the kind of job it does.

Builds on (2 levels back)inferred · med confidence

The brain is an organ with regions: Matching jobs to places means first accepting the brain is not one blob but has distinct regions.
Different parts do different jobs: The skill assumes each region has its own role, so you need the idea that a part's location tells you about its function.

Prerequisites are inferred: pending teacher review.

Re-learn the skill with worked practice and clear examples.

Cerebrum = thinking and voluntary movement (the big folded top). Cerebellum = balance and coordination (the smaller part below and behind). Brainstem = automatic functions like breathing and heart rate (the stalk to the spinal cord).

Step 1: Cerebrum: thinking

The cerebrum is the large, wrinkled part filling most of the top of the brain. It handles thinking, memory, the senses, and voluntary movement: the moves you choose to make.

Step 2: Cerebellum: coordination

The cerebellum is the smaller part tucked under the back of the cerebrum. It fine-tunes balance and coordination so movements are smooth and you stay steady.

Step 3: Brainstem: automatic life functions

The brainstem is the stalk at the base that connects to the spinal cord. It runs automatic functions you never have to think about: breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Practice

A region in the diagram controls breathing and heart rate without conscious effort. Which labeled region is it?

Reviewed

Side view outline of a brain with three regions marked A, B, and C. A is the large folded region filling the top. B is a smaller rounded region tucked at the lower back. C is a narrow stalk at the bottom leading down toward the spinal cord. Only letters are shown, no names.

A.Region A, the large folded part on top
B.Region B, the smaller rounded part at the lower back
C.Region C, the stalk leading toward the spinal cord
D.None of the regions controls breathing

Show the worked solution ▾

Answer: C. Region C, the stalk leading toward the spinal cord

Step 1: Match the job to the part: Breathing and heart rate are automatic life functions, which are run by the brainstem.
Step 2: Find the brainstem in the figure: The brainstem is the stalk at the base that leads toward the spinal cord: region C.

Why it's right: The brainstem controls automatic functions like breathing and heart rate, and it is the stalk (region C) connecting to the spinal cord.

Why the others miss:

A: Region A is the cerebrum (thinking and voluntary movement), not automatic functions.
B: Region B is the cerebellum (balance and coordination), not breathing.
D: One region: the brainstem: does control breathing, so 'none' is wrong.

Aligned to Human Body Systems: brain structure and function · reading level ~grade 9

Where you'd see this

After a stroke, knowing which region was hurt predicts the problem: cerebrum damage may affect speech or movement, while brainstem damage is life-threatening because of breathing.

Careers that use this

Neurologist: Maps a patient's lost ability back to the brain region responsible to locate the problem.

Video library

Watch: Identify the major brain structures

Major Brain Structures and Their Functions

Neuroscientifically Challenged

Guided notes

Fill these in as you work through the lesson.

Big idea: The brain has three major parts you must know: the cerebrum (thinking and voluntary movement), the cerebellum (balance and coordination), and the brainstem (automatic life functions like breathing and heart rate).

Key terms: write the meaning

Cerebrum (the big wrinkled top):
Cerebellum (the small part at the lower back):
Brainstem (the stalk that connects to the spinal cord):

The rule

The handles thinking and voluntary movement, the handles balance and coordination, and the controls automatic functions like breathing and heart rate.

Check yourself

Which part lets you decide to raise your hand?
Which part keeps your heart beating and your lungs working without you thinking about it?
Which part keeps you steady and coordinated when you walk or catch a ball?

Work one example

For each job: solving a math problem, riding a bike without falling, and breathing while asleep: name the brain part most responsible and say why.