B3.1 The Nervous System - Brain & Nervous System Damage

Question 1

What is the function of the brain?

Answer 1

• Process information collected by receptor cells about changes in your internal and external environment
• Recieves and processes information from your hormonal system
• Produces a coordinated response to all of the information it recieves
• Speeds up neuronal communication by providing a centralised control centre

Question 2

Approximately how many neurones does the adult brain contain?

Answer 2

86 billion

Question 3

How is the delicate nervous tissue of the brain protected?

Answer 3

Protective membranes and the skull.

Question 4

Describe and state the function of the cerebrum?

Answer 4

• The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, made of the cerebral cortex (the two folded hemispheres).
• The cerebral cortex is involved with consciousness, language, thought, perception, memory and attention.
• There are several structures underneath the cerebrum, including the hippocampus which is involved with memory.

Question 5

Describe and state the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 5

• The cerebellum is the second largest part of the brain. It does not initiate movement, but contributes to coordination & precision.
• The cerebellum receives input from sensory systems of the spinal cord and from other parts of the brain, and integrates these inputs to fine-tune motor activity.
• Cerebellar damage produces disorders in movement, balance, posture, and motor learning in humans

Question 6

Describe and state the function of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 6

• The medulla oblongata is part of the brainstem and is involved with unconscious activities
• The medulla oblongata controls heartbeat, the gut, rate and depth of breathing, vomiting and blood pressure.

Question 7

Describe and state the function of the pons?

Answer 7

• The medulla oblongata is part of the brainstem and is involved with unconscious activities
• The medulla oblongata controls heartbeat, the gut, rate and depth of breathing, vomiting and blood pressure.

Question 8

Describe and state the function of the pituitary gland?

Answer 8

• The pituitary gland is a ‘pea-sized’ gland often referred to as the ‘master gland which stores and releases hormones.
• Secretes hormones that act both directly and indirectly

Question 9

Describe and state the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 9

• The hypothalamus is a small area of the brain that has many functions, including ‘thermo’ and ‘osmo’ regulation.
• The hypothalamus ‘talks’ to the pituitary gland
• Links the nervous system to the hormonal system

Question 10

How can you investigate brain function?

Answer 10

• Worked out what different areas of the brain do based on what happens when those areas were damaged e.g. stroke victims provide evidence to map the brain.
• Stimulation with electrodes internally or externally to electrically stimulate the brain while the patient is awake.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans use X-rays to create 3D images of the brain to detect abnormalities.
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) uses powerful electromagnets to generate real-time images of the brain.

Question 11

Who was involved in an explosion resulting in and iron pole going through his skull in 1848 providing some of the first evidence of the consequences of brain damage?

Answer 11

Phineas Gage (1823-1860)

Question 12

Which part of the brain did Phineas Gage (1823-1860) damage and what were the consequenses.

Answer 12

• The pole removed parts of the cerebral cortex involved with social inhibition.
• He suffered behavioural changes including a loss if inhibition

Question 13

This gentelman had large parts of his hippocampus removed on both sides of his brain to try and treat his epilepsy.

Answer 13

Henry Gustav Molaison (1926-2008).

Question 14

What were the affects of Henry Gustav Molaison’s epilepsy surgery?

Answer 14

• After the sugery, Molaison suffered profound memory loss
• He was able to learn new motor skills after the surgery but not able to learning new information
• He only remembered past events

Question 15

Which frenchman nicknamed “Tan” because that was the only word he could say?

Answer 15

Victor Leborgne (1824-1880)

Question 16

Which neurologist studied Victor Leborgne’s brain after he died discovering the Broca’s area that controls our ability to talk?

Answer 16

Paul Broca

Question 17

State the four possible causes of nervous system damage?

Answer 17

1. Injury
2. Disease
3. Inheritance
4. Toxins

Question 18

Explain the possible effects of PNS damage.

Answer 18

• In ability to detect pain
• Numbness
• Loss of coordination

Question 19

What is the main difference of a PNS injury over a CNS injury?

Answer 19

• The PNS has limited abiliy to regenerate with minor nerve damage often self0healing
• The CNS cannot regenergate

Question 20

State the effects of CNS damage?

Answer 20

• Loss of control of body system
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Memory loss or processing difficulties

Question 21

Why is it almost impossible to repair damage to the spinal cord?

Answer 21

• The spinal cord consists of 31 pairs of nerves, each of which contains many nerve fibre.
• The spinal cord is only 1.5 com in diameter therefore it is very difficult to identify abd repair an individual nerve

Question 22

What treamtents are available for damage to the brain?

Answer 22

• Radiotherapy & chemotherapy for tumours
• Surgery to remove damaged brain tissue
• Deep brain stimulation to stimulate brain function

Question 23

Label the parts of the brain.

Answer 23

1. Cerebrum
2. Cerebellum
3. Medulla
4. Pons
5. Pituitary gland
6. Hypothalamus