The Brain Flashcards
What are the three different reigions that carry out different functions?
- Cerebral cortex: concerned with consciousness, intelligence memory, and language.
- Cerebellum: concerned with ainly coordinating muscular activities and balance.
- Medulla: Concerned with unconscious activities, such as the heart beat, the movements of the guts and breathing.
Why do we electrically stimulate parts of the brain?
There are no sensory nerve endings in the brain, brain surgery is usually done on conscious patients. People may experience hunger, anger, fear or thirst, simply because the relevant area of their brain is stimulated. This gives us information about the role of different brain areas, and helps surgeons avoid damaging vital functions.
Why do we use MRI scans?
A magnetic resonance imaging can ill show which area of the brain is affected. This enables scientists to link the loss of a function, such as speech or control of movement on one side of the body, with damage to a particular region of the brain.
What are the problems with the brain?
Its is very complex and delicate. There is also a range of different molecules released in the synapses in the brain. It is easily damaged and destroyed. Therefore it is very difficult to investigate brain disorders and it is also very difficult to treat them. Drugs do not always reach the brain through the membranes that surround it. Surgery is difficult because it is not fully understood what each area of the brain actually does. It is easy to cause unintended damage.
