4.5.2.2 The Brain (biology only)

Question 1

What does the brain control and what is it made of?

Answer 1

• the brain controls complex behaviour
• made of billions of interconnected neurones and has different regions that carry out different functions

Question 2

Diagram of the brain:

Answer 2

Question 3

How have neuroscientists been able to map regions of the brain to particular functions?

Answer 3

• Neuroscientists have been able to map the regions of the brain to particular by studying patients with brain damage
  
  • observing the changes in an individual following damage on certain areas of the brain can provide info on the role this area has
• Electrically stimulating different parts of the brain
  
  • can be done by pushing an electrode into the brain
  • this stimulation can result in a mental or physical change in the individual, providing info on the role this area of the brain has
• Using MRI scanning techniques
  
  • a magnetic resonance imaging scanner can be used to create an image of the brain
  • use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients and radio waves to generate detailed images of the organs in the body
  • can be used to show which part of the brain is affected by a tumour, or which part is active during a specific task
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  
  • method to record an electrogram of spontaneous electrical activity of the brain

Question 4

What makes treating brain disorders very difficult?

Answer 4

• the complexity and delicacy of the brain makes investigating and treating brain disorders very difficult
• brain is easily damaged
• drugs given to treat diseases cannot always reach brain due to the membrane that surrounds it
• not fully understood which part of the brain does what

Question 5

How large is the cerebellum?

Answer 5

2nd largest part of the brain

Question 6

Where is the cerebellum found?

Answer 6

it is the rounded structure found towards the bottom/back of the brain

Question 7

Function of the cerebellum:

Answer 7

• doesn’t initiate movement but contributes to coordination, precision and accurate timing
• receives input from sensory systems of the spinal cord and from other parts of the brain - integrates these inputs to fine-tune motor activity.movement of muscles

Question 8

What does damage to the cerebellum cause?

Answer 8

cerebellar damage produces disorders in movement, balance, posture and motor learning in humans

Question 9

How large is the cerebral cortex?

Answer 9

largest part of the brain

Question 10

What is the cerebral cortex made up of?

Answer 10

made up of several structures underneath inc. hippocampus which is involved with memory

Question 11

Where is the cerebral cortex found?

Answer 11

outer part of the brain

Question 12

Function of the cerebral cortex:

Answer 12

Controls consciousness, intelligence, language, memory, thought, perception and attention

Question 13

Diagram of cerebral cortex:

Answer 13

Question 14

Function of the frontal lobe:

Answer 14

responsible for emotion, decision-making and organisation

Question 15

Function of parietal lobe:

Answer 15

responsible for processing sensory info and spatial awareness

Question 16

Function of temporal lobe:

Answer 16

responsible for long-term memory, language, comprehension and identifying + naming objects

Question 17

Function of occipital lobe:

Answer 17

responsible for processing visual info

Question 18

Where is the medulla found?

Answer 18

found in the brain stem in front of the cerebellum

Question 19

Function of medulla:

Answer 19

controls unconscious activities e.g. heartbeat, breathing, gut, vomiting and blood pressure

Question 20

How can an MRI scanner be used to understand more about the brain damage a person has?

Answer 20

• can ask people to do different tasks (while taking scan)
• to see which part of brain is active / inactive
• to compare with a person without brain damage
• to see (exactly) where the damage is