Homeostasis and Response: The Brain

Question 1

What is the function of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 1

controls:
- consciousness
- intelligence
- memory
- language

Question 2

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 2

controls:
- muscular coordination
- balance

Question 3

What is the function of the medulla?

Answer 3

controls unconscious activities eg:
- breathing
- heart rate

Question 4

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 4

• regulates body temperature
• sends signals to the pituitary gland

Question 5

Why is investigation and treatment of the brain difficult?

Answer 5

• the brain is complex and delicate
• the brain is easily damaged
• certain membranes prevent drugs from reaching the brain
• the exact function of each part of the brain is not known

Question 6

What methods are used by scientists to determine brain function?

Answer 6

• studying patients with brain damage
• electrical stimulation of the brain
• MRI scans

Question 7

Where is the cerebral cortex on a cross sectional diagram of the brain?

Answer 7

wrinkly bit around the top, largest section

Question 8

Where is the medulla?

Answer 8

In the brain stem

Question 9

Where is the hypothalamus on a cross sectional diagram of the brain?

Answer 9

directly above the pituitary gland, towards the middle, above the stem

Question 10

Where is the pituitary gland on a cross sectional diagram of the brain?

Answer 10

directly below hypothalamus, above and to the left of brain stem, hangs down near bottom

Question 11

Where is the cerebellum on a cross sectional diagram of the brain?

Answer 11

next to the brain stem, on the right at the bottom