B3.1 The Nervous System - Brain & Nervous System Damage Flashcards
What is the function of the brain?
- 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
Approximately how many neurones does the adult brain contain?
86 billion
How is the delicate nervous tissue of the brain protected?
Protective membranes and the skull.
Describe and state the function of the cerebrum?
- 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.
Describe and state the function of the cerebellum?
- 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
Describe and state the function of the medulla oblongata?
- 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.
Describe and state the function of the pons?
- 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.
Describe and state the function of the pituitary gland?
- The pituitary gland is a โpea-sizedโ gland often referred to as the โmaster gland which stores and releases hormones.
- Secretes hormones that act both directly and indirectly
Describe and state the function of the hypothalamus?
- The hypothalamus is a small area of the brain that has many functions, including โthermoโ and โosmoโ regulation.
- The hypothalamus โtalksโ to the pituitary gland
- Links the nervous system to the hormonal system
How can you investigate brain function?
- 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.
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?
Phineas Gage (1823-1860)
Which part of the brain did Phineas Gage (1823-1860) damage and what were the consequenses.
- The pole removed parts of the cerebral cortex involved with social inhibition.
- He suffered behavioural changes including a loss if inhibition
This gentelman had large parts of his hippocampus removed on both sides of his brain to try and treat his epilepsy.
Henry Gustav Molaison (1926-2008).
What were the affects of Henry Gustav Molaisonโs epilepsy surgery?
- 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
Which frenchman nicknamed โTanโ because that was the only word he could say?
Victor Leborgne (1824-1880)