Biology

Midbrain: Division and Functions of the Midbrain

len Alfred Ajibola - Thu, 06th February, 2020 @ 14:24

Topics in Biology

Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, First Term Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, 2nd Term Biology Scheme of Work, SS1, 3rd Term Seminal Vesicles and Bulbourethral Glands as Male Accessory Sex Organs Male Reproductive System: Scrotum and its contents Brain: Introduction to the Human Brain Forebrain: Lobes of the Cerebrum and their Functions Cerebellum: Parts and Functions of the Cerebellum Midbrain: Division and Functions of the Midbrain Negative Feedback Mechanism in Homeostasis Arterial Disorders: Characteristics and Causes of Arterial Disorders Types of Desert and their Characteristics Characteristics of Tropical Rainforest Swamp Forest: What are Swamp Forests? Characteristics of Swamp Forests Savanna: Savanna and Grassland explained Savanna - Types of Savanna Tropical Savanna and Temperate Savanna with their Characteristics Introduction to Biomes: What is a Biome? Importance of Swamp Forests

Academic Questions in Biology

Please check out our Test Your Knowledge page to see all Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a category of long bones?

  • A. Stunted long bones
  • B. Reduced long bones
  • C. Giant long bones
  • D. Bended long bones
  • E. Curved long bones
  • F. Elongated long bones

The end product of photosynthesis is _____.

  • A. O2
  • B. C​​​​​​2​​​​C5OH
  • C. H2​​​​​O
  • D. CO2
  • E. C6H12O6
  • F. C2H5COOH

The above diagram illustrates a _____.

  • A. Food Chain
  • B. Food Web
  • C. Food Pyramid
  • D. Food Link
  • E. Food Hub
  • F. Food zone

The living cells that makes up cartilages are called _____.

  • A. osteocytes
  • B. osteoblasts
  • C. osteoclasts
  • D. chondroblasts
  • E. chrondocytes
  • F. Osteoprogenitor cells

Which of the following statement is incorrect with regards to chitin?

  • A. Ecdysis is a term associated with chitin
  • B. It is a skeletal material
  • C. It is a type of skeleton
  • D. It is present outside the organism
  • E. It does not grow when the organism grows
  • It is present in ants

Which of the following is NOT a function of the human skeleton?

  • A. Gives Shape
  • B. Provides Protection
  • C. Aids in Locomotion
  • D. Supports Movement
  • E. Assists in Inhalation and Exahalation
  • F. None of the above
  • G. All of the above

Organisms that manufacture their own food through the help of sunlight or chemicals are best referred to as _____.

  • A. autotrophs
  • B. chemosynthetic
  • C. photosynthentic
  • D. chemoautotrophs
  • E. photoautotrophs
  • F. chemoautotrophs

Organisms that begins a food chain and also manufacture their food through photosynthesis are best referred to as _____.

  • A. heterotrophs
  • B. autotrophs
  • C. homotrophs
  • D. producers
  • E. photosynthetic
  • F. chemosynthetic

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Midbrain:

The midbrain is a division of the brain alongside the forebrain and hindbrain. It is also referred to as the mesencephalon and it connects the forebrain to the hindbrain.

Please read on the Anatomy and Functions of the Forebrain here.

Present within the midbrain are various nuclei, nerves and tracts, each with an array of functions. In addition, visibly present on the midbrain are 4 bumps or swellings on its posterior (back) surface. These are referred to as the colliculi and are made up of aggregated neurons.

Note: The colliculi are separated into two pairs. These are:

  1. The upper pairs known as the Superior Colliculi. Functionally, they direct the reactions of animals towards environmental stimuli.
    Please on Irritability and other Characteristics of Living Organisms here.

  2. The lower pairs known as the Inferior Colliculi. Functionally, they are connected with hearing.

The image below shows the midbrain's colliculi:
Midbrain - Len Academy

Please read on the Cerebellum, its Lobes and Functions here.


Divisions of the Midbrain

The midbrain is divided into 3 parts. These are:

  1. Tectum: The colliculi (as explained above) are present on the tectum. They are shown in the diagram above.


  2. Tegmentum: The tegmentum (which means 'hood' in Latin) is a layer of the midbrain (and hidbrain) that runs down the length of the brainstem. It's various nervous connections has shown to keep humans alert.

    The tegmentum consists of the iron-rich red nucleus (which appears pink in colour) and the periaqueductal grey (which is a composed mainly of grey matter).

    Note: Functionally, the iron-rich red nucleus play a role in the body's coordination and movements. Also, the periaqueductal grey has proven to be important in the suppression of pain.
    You may read on the Beauty of Suffering here.


  3. Cerebral Pundicles: They are paired structures that extends from the cerebral hemispheres and eventually unites (or converge) at a part of the hindbrain called pons. Both cerebral Pundicles are separated anteriorly by interpeduncular fossa before their convergence posteriorly. Please see the image above.
    Please read on the Introduction to the Human Brain here.


Functions of the Midbrain

Some of the important functions of the Midbrain include:

  1. Movement of the eyes.

  2. It regulates the dilation of the pupil.

  3. It regulates sleep and wake cycles.

  4. It controls our attentions and behaviour through the regulation of dopamine production.
    You can read on the Uniqueness of Man here.

  5. It assists in the regulation of temperature.
    Please read on Homeostasis here.

  6. It regulates muscular movements.
    Please read on all 206 Bones of the Human Body here.

  7. It is an important part of the memory.

  8. It is important in the hearing process.

  9. It helps to control our responses to sight.

  10. Arousal.
    Please read on the Male Reproductive System here.

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Alfred Ajibola is a Medical Biochemist, a passionate Academician with over 7 years of experience, a Versatile Writer, a Web Developer, a Cisco Certified Network Associate and a Cisco CyberOps Associate.

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Amazing facts in Biology

Male Seahorses actually give birth to their young ones, NOT the female

All babies are born with blue eyes

Research made at the University of Vienna suggested that yawning may play an essential role in cooling the brains

All voluntary and concious activity of right handed people are controlled from the left part or hemisphere of the brain

A snail can actually sleep for 3 years 😁

An adult human being is composed of about 60% water. In fact, a newly born baby is composed of about 80% of water. This will drop to 65% after a year and finally to about 60% as the child ages

Without saliva, food can never be enjoyed. Food becomes tasteless since saliva is needed to dissolve the chemicals present in food onto the tongue’s taste buds.

Saliva also contains an enzyme called salivary amylase or "ptyalin" which helps to digest cooked starch to maltose. Maltose is a double sugar or disaccharide. Please read on sugars here

NOTABLE POINTS IN Biology

For a thing to be considered Living, it must possess all the Basic Characteristics of Life. These include:

  1. Movement

  2. Respiration

  3. Nutrition

  4. Irritability or Sensitivity

  5. Growth

  6. Excretion

  7. Reproduction

  8. Death

  9. Adaptation

  10. Competition

Please read the explanations on all the Basic Characteristics of Life here

During strenuous exercises like sprinting or 🏃 running, your body may actually work in the shortage of oxygen. During this time, your body owes oxygen (called oxygen debt) and it must be replenished or repayed after the exercise is stopped. This is why you breathe excess of oxygen after you stopped the exercise.

This is the concept of anaerobic respiration

A food Chain is a diagram that shows the relationship between plants and animals within a habitat on the basis of how they rely on each other for food.

Note: Habitat is a place where an organism live. It is of three types:

  • Terrestrial (Land)
  • Aquatic (Water)
  • Arboreal (🌲 Treetops)

You can read on Food Chain here

The term Biology originated from two Greek words. They are:

  • Bios: means life. 
  • Logos: means knowledge or to study.

Biology can therefore be defined is the study of life

Anything that has life is generally considered as a living organism (or organism) 🌱🐐🐓. All living organisms must be able to carry the following activities:

  1. Movement
  2. Respiration
  3. Nutrition
  4. Irritability or Sensitivity
  5. Growth
  6. Excretion
  7. Reproduction
  8. Death
  9. Adaptation
  10. Competition

The above listed points are often regarded as the basic characteristics of life. You can memorize them using the acronym (MR. NIGER DAC).

You can read on the introduction to Biology and the basic characteristics of life here

The gas used in the manufacture of food by plants is Carbon dioxide or Carbon(IV)oxide or CO2. 

Plants manufacture food through a process called photosynthesis. Please read on photosynthesis here

Note: Plants are the only orgnisms that take away CO2 from the atmosphere