Homeostasis - the brain

Question 1

what does the brain control? and how?

Answer 1

complex behaviour so has billions of interconnected neurones where different parts of the brain carry out different functions

Question 2

what is the job of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 2

controls language, memory and consciousness

Question 3

what is the job of the cerebellum?

Answer 3

controls our balance and co-ordinates our movements

Question 4

what is the job of the medulla?

Answer 4

controls our heart rate and breathing rate

Question 5

why is hard to treat brain disease?

Answer 5

• the brain is protected by the skull so it is hard to access
• structure of the brain is complex so it is difficult to work out which parts of the brain carry out specific functions
• the brain is delicate and easy to damage

Question 6

what are the 3 ways to investigate the brain?

Answer 6

• look at patients with brain damage, where the damage is placed and try to link it to brain function
• can electrically stimulate different parts of the brain to look at the effects on person’s behaviour. this helps to narrow down regions to their functions
• MRI scanning is to show where most activity is in parts of the brain during an activity