Page "Amphibian" Paragraph 52

The nervous system is basically the same as in other vertebrates, with a central brain, a spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body.

The amphibian brain is less well developed than that of reptiles, birds and mammals but is similar in morphology and function to that of a fish.

It consists of a cerebrum, midbrain and cerebellum of approximately equal size.

The olfactory lobe is the centre of the sense of smell.

The cerebrum integrates behaviour and learning.

The optic lobe processes information from the eyes.

The cerebellum is the centre of muscular coordination.

The medulla oblongata controls some organ functions including the heart and respiration.

The brain sends signals through the spinal cord and nerves to regulate activity in the rest of the body.

The pineal body, known to regulate sleep patterns in humans, is thought to produce the hormones involved in hibernation and aestivation in amphibians.