The brain (coordination and control) *

Question 1

What does the cerebral hemisphere (cerebrum) do?

Answer 1

• it controls memory
• personality
• conscious thought
• vision

Question 2

What does the cerebellum do?

Answer 2

• controls balance
• coordination of movement

Question 3

What does the medulla oblongata do?

Answer 3

• controls heart rate
• breathing rate

Question 4

What does the pituitary gland do?

Answer 4

• controls growth
• metabolic rate
• endocrine glands by secreting hormones

Question 5

What does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 5

• regulates temperature
• water balance

Question 6

Where is the cerebral hemisphere located?

Answer 6

a large portion at the top of the brain

Question 7

Where is the cerebellum located?

Answer 7

Near the back of the brain underneath he cerebral hemisphere

Question 8

Who was Phineas Gage?

Answer 8

• in 1848, Gage was preparing a railroad bed in Vermont
• he was using an iron rod that was 43 inches long
• in an explosion, the rod pierced his cheek, tore through his brain and exited his skull
• he survived and managed to speak and walk to be taken to hospital

Question 9

What is a CT scan?

Answer 9

Computerised Tomography
- they identify any structural issues with the brain (e.g. head injuries)
- provide more detailed information than regular x-rays

Question 10

What is a PET scan?

Answer 10

Positron emission Tomography
- it uses a radioactive substance called a tracer which is injected into the bloodstream and gives of energy to form gamma rays
- identifies disease or injury in the brain

Question 11

List four possible causes of brain damage

Answer 11

• prolonged shortage of oxygen (hypoxia)
• poisoning
• infection
• neurological illness

Question 12

Fill the gaps :

• unlike most other cells, brain cells can’t __-____ so they can be _______ _______
• it can result in _____

Answer 12

• unlike most other cells, brain cells can’t re-grow so they can be permanently damaged
• it can result in death

Question 13

What is a brain tumour?

Answer 13

• when cells in the brain grow and divide uncontrollably
• when cancer cells in other parts of the body spread to the brain
• the tumour damages the brain and causes it to press against the skull

Question 14

What is a stroke?

Answer 14

• when a part of the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen and is damaged

Question 15

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 15

• caused by a reduced amount of dopamine (chemical involved transmitting nerve impulses) and it gradually gets worse