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The Brain

External structure of the brain


Frontal lobe Parietal lobe

Occipital lobe

Temporal lobe Cerebellum Brain stem

Functions of the lobes Link to 3D image of brain

Spinal cord

Human Brain: External View

Internal structure of the brain


cerebral cortex corpus collosum

thalamus ventricle

hypothalamus cerebellum pituitary gland pons midbrain medulla oblongata

medulla oblongata pituitary collosum corpus gland hypothamalus cerebral cortex ventricle thalamus midbrain pons cerebellum

Sensory information such as cerebral cortex vision, smell and hearing processed here. Higher cognitive functions. hypothalamus Homeostasis: control of body temperature and osmoregulation. Secretes hormones pituitary gland Produces hormones that control growth, sexual development and metabolism midbrain Involved in control of visual and auditory systems. Also controls body movement

corpus collosum Connects the left and right hemispheres to coordinate information cerebellum Fine motor control, posture and balance pons Links the medulla with the thalamus

medulla oblongata Controls breathing, heart rate and blood pressure; reflex actions such as vomiting and sneezing

Structure cerebral cortex hypothalamus cerebellum midbrain pons medulla oblongata corpus collosum pituitary gland
Drag the function to the matching structure:

Function

Controls breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, Sensory information of body systems. Also Homeostasis:left and rightas vision, smell and control Control hormones that control growth, to Producesof visual and such thalamusvomiting and Connectsmedulla withauditory temperatureand Links controls reflex actions hemispheres sexual Fine the the motor control, posture and as the such balance also hearing processed here. Higher cognitive functions osmoregulation. Secretes hormones controls body movement development and metabolism coordinate information sneezing

Studying the brain


Scientists study the functions of parts of the brain by observing the behaviour of people who have suffered brain damage or have degenerative brain diseases. Scientists also use animal studies to investigate brain functioning.

Phineas Gage: experienced personality and behavioural changes after damage to his frontal lobe

A stroke of insight: the effects of a stroke (TED talks: 19 minutes)

Medical imaging technology


CT scans (computerised tomography): Use X rays to identify major structures and can detect problems such as tumours and aneurisms. Sometimes a dye has to be injected into the blood.

CT scan showing a brain aneurism (swelling of the artery)


CT scan video

Medical imaging technology


Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Uses high level magnetic field and radio waves to image soft tissues. It is useful for diagnosing tumours, clots, infections and brain damage

MRI scan of a brain tumour

CT scan of same tumour

MRI scan video

Medical imaging technology


Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): Monitors changes in brain activity by measuring the changes in blood flow and oxygen uptake. Allows for the study of the different functions of the parts of the brain.
FMRI images of the brain showing brain activity
Potential uses of fMRI (4 minute TED talk)

Quick Quiz: Internal structure and function of the brain

Label the parts of the brain


1 2

8 3 7 4 6 5

State the parts of the brain which have the following functions
9. Regulates body temperature and osmoregulation. Secretes hormones. 10. Connects the left and right hemispheres.

11. Processes visual, smell and auditory information, higher cognitive processes. 12. Fine motor control. Balance and posture. 13. Controls breathing and heart rates plus reflex actions such as vomiting. 14.Controls visual and auditory systems, controls body movement. 15.Secretes hormones that control growth, metabolism and sexual development.

Answers: 1. Cerebral cortex 2. Corpus collosum 3. Cerebellum 4. Pons 5. Medulla oblongata 6. Midbrain 7. Pituitary gland 8. Hypothalamus 9. Hypothalamus 10. Corpus collosum 11. Cerebral cortex 12. Cerebellum 13. Medulla oblongata 14. Midbrain 15. Pituitary gland

Interesting links
Neuroethics Neuroscience for kids

BBC: The Mind and Brain TED talk: creativity and fMRI (19 minutes)

www.clickbiology.com

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