Parts of the Eye and Brain Flashcards
What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?
Consciousness, intelligence, memory and language.
What is the cerebellum responsible for?
Coordination of muscular activities.
What is the medulla (oblongata) responsible for?
Unconscious activities, such as controlling the heartbeat and breathing.
How do scientists find out more about the brain?
- Studying patients with brain damage.
- Electrically stimulating different parts of the brain.
- Using an MRI scanner to monitor brain activity when completing tasks or after injury.
What problems does the brain have?
- Drugs don’t always pass through the outer membrane.
- Surgery is difficult as the function of each area is not fully understood.
Sclera
The tough, white outer layer that prevents damage to the eye.
Cornea
A transparent area at the front of the sclera which lets light into the eye, and refracts it towards the retina.
What do the iris muscles do?
They contract and relax to control the size of the pupil, depending on the light intensity.
What is the lens held in place by?
Suspensory ligaments and ciliary muscles.
Retina
A layer at the back of the eyeball containing receptor cells.
Receptor cells
Cells in the retina which are sensitive to light intensity and colour.
What happens to the eye in dim light?
- Circular muscles relax.
- Radial muscles contract.
- Pupil dilates.
What happens to the eye in bright light?
- Circular muscles contract.
- Radial muscles relax.
- Pupil constricts.
How does the eye focus on a near object?
- Ciliary muscles contract,
- So the suspensory ligaments loosen,
- So the lens is thicker and more curved.
How does the eye focus on a far object?
- Ciliary muscles relax,
- So the suspensory ligaments are pulled tight,
- So the lens is pulled flat and thin.
