Topic 8B - The Brain, Behaviour and Disease

Question 1

Name one role of the cerebellum

Answer 1

to maintain balance/ muscle control

Question 2

Name one role of the medulla oblongata (aka brainstem)

Answer 2

to regulate breathing/ heart beat/ digestion

Question 3

Name the role of the hypothalamus

Answer 3

to control the production of hormones and chemical substances. homeostasis

Question 4

Name one role of the cerebrum

Answer 4

to interpret the 5 senses (touch, smell, vision), emotions and learning

Question 5

Describe the positions of each part of the brain

Answer 5

Cerebrum is the biggest on top. Medulla Oblongata is the long thin stem at the base of the brain. Hypothalamus is found in the middle of the cerebrum and the top of the medulla oblongata. Cerebellum is found at the back of the brain behind the medulla and under the cerebrum.

Question 6

State the region of the brain that identifies the areas of the brain associated with the decision to ride the bicycle (1 mark)

Answer 6

Cerebrum

Question 7

State the region of the brain that identifies the areas of the brain associated with initiating an increase in sweating during the ride (1 mark)

Answer 7

Hypothalamus

Question 8

EQ. Describe how a neurotransmitter, such as glutamate, is released from a brain cell. (4 marks)

Answer 8

• Once an action potential arrives at the brain cell, it depolarises
• Ca2+ channels open in the pre-synaptic membrane
• Ca2+ ions enter the brain cell membrane by diffusion
• Vesicles containing neurotransmitters like glutamate fuse with the pre-synaptic membrane
• Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic vesicle via exocytosis

Question 9

EQ. Suggest the scanning technique required to study the area of the brain that’s involved. Give reasons for your choice. (3 marks)

Answer 9

• Would use fMRI
• It would show the active areas because they would appear lighter coloured
• Its safer since we don’t use xrays

Question 10

Parkinson’s disease develops when…

Answer 10

when nerve cells that produce dopamine (a type of neurotransmitter) are lost. dopamine is important is coordinating body movements.

Question 11

Name the drug used to treat parkinson’s disease

Answer 11

L-Dopa

Question 12

How does MDMA work

Answer 12

It blocks the serotonin binding sites which stop it from being absorbed. So more serotonin is released.

Question 13

EQ. Explain how fMRI can be used to identify the part of the brain involved in interpreting information from the visual cortex. (3 marks)

Answer 13

• fMRI detects oxygen use in the brain
• more blood flows to active parts of the brain
• fMRI shows that active areas are lighter coloured because fewer radio signal are absorbed

Question 14

What does CT scanners use

Answer 14

radiation (x-rays)

Question 15

What do fMRI/MRI scanners use

Answer 15

Radio waves

Question 16

What do PET scanners use

Answer 16

Radioactive tracers

Question 17

What does PET scanners show and how

Answer 17

Show how active areas of the brain are, more active areas absorb more radioactive tracers therefore show up more brightly coloured

Question 18

What does CT scanners show and how

Answer 18

Less dense structures, likr damaged or diseased structures, absorb less radiation so therefore show up a light colour. CT scanners show the structures in the brain.

Question 19

EQ. State what scans could be used to assess brain activity. (2 marks)

Answer 19

fMRI

PET

Question 20

EQ. Give 2 pieces of information about the bleeding that the doctor could get from the MRI scan. (2 marks)

Answer 20

• the location of the damage

- the function of the brain affected as it corresponds with the location