[B3] The Brain Flashcards
What is the brain made up of?
The bain consists of billions of interconnected neurons.
What is the brain’s function?
To control and coordinate everything you do.
Where is the cerebrum located?
At the front outer area of the brain.
What does the cerebrum control?
It controls consciousness, intelligence, memory, and language.
Where is the hypothalamus located?
Under the surface of the brain.
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Maintains body temperature and produces hormones that control the pituitary gland.
What is the role of the pituitary gland?
Produces many hormones that regulate the body.
Where is the medulla?
The base of the brain.
What does the medulla do?
Controls unconscious activities in the body.
e.g breathing and heart rate.
Where is the cerebellum located?
The back of the brain.
What is the cerebellum responsible for?
Muscle coordination/voluntary movement.
How are case studies used by scientists to study the brain?
They carry out detailed studies of individuals who have abnormal brain function.
How can the effect on brain damage be used to study the brain?
They can be used to link parts of the brain to it’s function.
How can machines be used to study the brain?
Scientists use fMRI scanners that show which parts of the brain are activated when performing certain tasks inside the machine.
[Understanding] Functional magnetic resonance imaging measures the oxygen consumption in the brain and the time it takes for emitted electromagnetic waves to return back to the source. Active areas of the brain consume more oxygen and so the level of oxygenated blood correlates to the activity.
What is a challenge of scientists using the brains of people who have died to study the brain?
It relies on people donating their brains for research.
