Topic 5 The Brain Flashcards
What is the brain responsible for
In charge of all our complex behaviours
Comoros and coordinates everything you do
What is the brain made up of
Billions of interconnected neurones
What is the brain a part of
The central nervous system (CNS)
Along with the spinal cord
What do different regions of the brain carry out
Different functions
Where is the cerebral cortex
The outer Wrinkley part of the brain
Biggest part
What is the cerebral cortex responsible for
Consciousness
Intelligence
Memory
Language
Where is the medulla
The king part at the bottom connected to the spinal cord
What does the medulla control
Unconscious activities such as breathing and your heartbeat
Where is the cerebellum
At the back of the brain near the bottom
What is the cerebellum responsible for
Muscle coordination
What 3 methods to scientists use to study the brain
Studying patients with brain damage
Electrically stimulating the brain
MRI scans
How do scientists study a patient with brain damage
If a small part of the brain has been damaged scientists can see what effect this has on the patient can tell you what that part of the brain does
How can scientists study the brain by electrically stimulating it
By observing what stimulating different parts of the brain does you can get an idea of what the parts do
How can brains be electrically stimulated
Brain can be electrically stimulated by pushing tiny electrode into the tissue and giving it a small zap of electricity
What would happen if the motor area was stimulated
Casases muscle contraction and movement
What are MRI scans
Magnetic resonance imaging scanner is a tube like machine that can produce detailed pictures of the brain
What can MRI scans be used for
To find out which areas of the brain are a tube when people are doing things such as listening to music , playing instruments and recalling a memory
What risks are there of studying the brain
Could cause physical damage to the brain or increased problems with brain functions (e.g speech)
What has the study of the brain led to
Development of treatments for disorders of the nervous system
What can electrical stimulation of the brain help reduce
Muscle tremors caused by nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease
