13.7 Structure and Function of The Brain

Question 1

Advantages of having a central control centre

Answer 1

Communication between all neurones is faster than having separate control centres

Question 2

Protection for brain

Answer 2

Skull
Protective membranes - meninges

Question 3

Function of the cerebrum

Answer 3

Controls voluntary actions - conscious activity, thought, vision, speech, memory and problem solving - as well as personality

Question 4

Adaptations of cerebrum

Answer 4

2 hemispheres - right hemisphere controls left side of the body, left hemisphere controls the right side of the body
Thin outer layer - contains cell body of neurones
Highly folded - increases surface area and contains more neurones
Under the grey matter is white matter, which are the myelinated axons of neurones

Question 5

In case of damage to cerebrum

Answer 5

Personality disorders
Loss of senses
Impaired vision or movement
Struggles with communication

Question 6

Cerebellum function

Answer 6

Controls motor coordination and balance
Subconscious and involuntary action
Muscular movement and body posture

Question 7

Cerebellum adaptations

Answer 7

Has special sensors that detect changes in balance and movement - times muscle actions so body moves smoothly

Question 8

In case of damage to cerebellum

Answer 8

Suffer from jerky movements
Inability to judge distance
Tremors
Delayed responses

Question 9

Medulla oblongata function

Answer 9

Contains important regulatory centres - control reflex actions, such as breathing and heart rate, as well as peristalsis, swallowing and coughing

Question 10

Medulla structure

Answer 10

Found at base of brain - where it joins the spinal cord
3 centres:
- cardiac centre - controls heart rate
- vasomotor centre - controls blood pressure with contraction of smooth muscle in arteriole walls
- respiratory centre - controls breathing rate

Question 11

In case of damage to medulla

Answer 11

Respiratory failure
Paralysis
Loss of sensation
Heart stops - cardiac arrest
Possible death

Question 12

Hypothalamus function

Answer 12

Regulate body temperature
Osmoregulation
Control digestive activity
Control endocrine function

Question 13

Hypothalamus structure

Answer 13

Has 2 centres - parasympathetic and sympathetic

Question 14

In case of damage to hypothalamus

Answer 14

Disrupt body temperature regulation
Headaches/loss of vision
High/low BP
Growth and weight issues
Disrupted sleep cycles

Question 15

Pituitary gland function

Answer 15

Regulates growth, metabolism and reproduction

Question 16

Pituitary gland structure

Answer 16

2 sections
Anterior pituitary - produce and release hormones (FSH)
Posterior pituitary - store and release hormones produced by hypothalamus (ADH)

Question 17

In case of damage to pituitary gland

Answer 17

Lack of hormones - cause diabetes, growth deficiency
Excess hormones
Impact blood pressure, growth, reproduction and metabolism