5. Homeostasis and Response (the brain)

Question 1

What is the brain made up of?

Answer 1

many connected neurones

Question 2

What does the brain control?

Answer 2

complex behaviour

Question 3

What is the brain a part of?

Answer 3

The CNS

Question 4

What do different regions of the brain control?

Answer 4

Different functions

Question 5

Describe the cerebral cortex

Answer 5

• Controls consciousness, intelligence, memory and language.
• It is the outer part of the brain

Question 6

Describe the cerebellum

Answer 6

• controls fine movement of muscles
• is a rounded structure towards the back/bottom of the brain

Question 7

Describe the Medulla

Answer 7

• it controls unconscious actions such as breathing and heart rate
• found in the brain stem, in front of the cerebellum

Question 8

Why is investigating brain function and treating brain damage and disease difficult?

Answer 8

• It is complex and delicate
• It is easily damaged
• Drugs given to treat diseases cannot always reach the brain because of the membranes that surround it
• It is not fully understood which part of the brain does what

Question 9

What are neuroscientists?

Answer 9

Scientists that study the nervous system

Question 10

How can neuroscientists map out regions of the brain? (3 methods)

Answer 10

1. Studying patients with brain damage
2. Electrically stimulating different parts of the brain
3. Using MRI scanning techniques

Question 11

How can studying patients with brain damage give neuroscientists more of an understanding of the brain?

Answer 11

Observing changes in an individual following damage on a certain area of the brain can provide information on the role this area has

Question 12

How can electrically stimulating different parts of the brain give neuroscientists more of an understanding of the brain?

Answer 12

• An electrode will be pushed into the brain
• This stimulation may result in the mental or physical change, providing information on the role this area of the brain has

Question 13

How can MRI scanning techniques give neuroscientists more of an understanding of the brain?

Answer 13

• A magnetic resonance imaging scanner can be used to create an image of the brain
• this can be used to show which part of the brain is affected by a tumour, or which part is active during a specific task

Question 14

Where in the brain is the medulla found?

Answer 14

in the brain stem

Question 15

What is the hypothalamus responsible for?

Answer 15

regulating our body temperatures

Question 16

How many hemispheres is the cerebral cortex split into?

Answer 16

2 hemispheres