13.7 Structure And Function Of The Brain

Question 1

What is the brain protected by?

Answer 1

Brain is protected by the skull. It is also surrounded by protective membranes (called meninges)

Question 2

What are the five main areas of the brain?

Answer 2

• cerebrum: controls voluntary actions, such as learning, memory, personality and conscious thought
• cerebellum: controls unconscious functions such as posture, balance, muscle coordination and non-voluntary movement
• medulla oblongata: used in autonomic control, e.g. controls heart rate and breathing rate
• hypothalamus: regulatory centre for temperature and water balance. Also produces hormones that control the pituitary gland
• pituitary gland: stores and releases hormones that regulate many body functions

Question 3

Describe and explain function of cerebrum

Answer 3

• the cerebrum receives sensory information, it interprets it with respect to that stored from previous experiences, and then sends impulses along motor neurones to effectors to produce an appropriate response
• the cerebrum is highly convoluted, which increases its surface area and therefore its capacity for complex activity

Question 4

What happens if cerebellum damaged?

Answer 4

A person would suffer from jerky and uncoordinated movement