Topic 5a- The Brain

Question 1

What are the three regions of the brain studied at GCSE?

Answer 1

Cerebral cortex
Medulla
Cerebellum

Question 2

What is the function of the cerebral cortex?

Answer 2

Consciousness, intelligence, memory and language

Question 3

What is the function of the medulla?

Answer 3

Unconscious activities- e.g. breathing and heartbeat

Question 4

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 4

Muscle cooridination

Question 5

What methods can scientists use to study the brain?

Answer 5

1. Studying people with brain damage
2. Electrically stimulating the brain
3. MRI scans

Question 6

How can studying patients with brain damage give scientists a better understanding of the brain?

Answer 6

By seeing what area of the brain is damaged and then the effect that this has on the patient, scientists can deduce what part of the brain is used for what function.

Question 7

How can studying electrical stimulation of the brain give scientists a better understanding of the brain?

Answer 7

By pushing an electrode into different parts of the tissue, scientists can observe what what those differnt parts of the brain do.

Question 8

How can MRI scans give scientists a better understanding of the brain?

Answer 8

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be used to see which parts of the brain are active when certain actions are being done (e.g recalling a memory or listening to music)

Question 9

What risks can studying the brain have to patients?

Answer 9

Physical damage to the brain or increased problems with brain function