The Brain

• What is the brain made up of?

  Billions of interconnected nerve cells
• What functions does the brain perform?

  Holds thoughts, memories, and complex behaviors
• What are the two main components of the central nervous system?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the cerebral cortex?

  Responsible for consciousness, intelligence, and memory
• How is the cerebral cortex divided?

  Into two hemispheres
• What does the left hemisphere control?

  Muscles on the right side of the body
• What is the function of the cerebellum?

  Controls balance and muscle coordination
• What does the hypothalamus regulate?

  Body temperature and signals to the pituitary gland
• What is the role of the brain stem?

  Connects the brain to the spinal cord
• What does the medulla control?

  Unconscious activities like breathing
• What can studying a stroke victim reveal?

  Which brain region is responsible for hearing
• How do scientists study the brain?

  By studying brain damage and stimulating regions
• What happens when a specific brain region is electrically stimulated?

  It may cause muscle contraction or sensory changes
• What are the types of brain scans mentioned?

  CT, PET, and MRI scans
• What is the primary use of CT scans?

  To see which areas of the brain are damaged
• How do PET and MRI scans differ from CT scans?

  They measure underlying brain activity
• What happens in the brain during emotional stimuli in an MRI scan?

  Certain parts appear brighter due to activity
• Why is treating the brain difficult?

  Due to its complexity and fragile structure
• What types of issues can affect the brain?

  Tumors, infections, trauma, and mental health problems
• Why is surgery on the brain challenging?

  It is encased in the skull and fragile
• Why is it difficult to use drugs for brain treatment?

  We don't fully understand the brain's processes
• What are the main functions of the brain regions discussed?

  • Cerebral Cortex: Consciousness, intelligence, memory, language
  • Cerebellum: Balance and muscle coordination
  • Hypothalamus: Body temperature regulation
  • Brain Stem: Connects brain to spinal cord, controls unconscious activities
• What are the methods used to study the brain?

  1. Studying brain damage (e.g., stroke)
  2. Electrical stimulation of brain regions
  3. Brain scanning techniques:

  • CT scans: Structural damage
  • PET scans: Brain activity
  • MRI scans: Brain activity
• What are the challenges in treating brain conditions?

  • Wide range of potential issues (tumors, infections, trauma)
  • Fragile structure encased in the skull
  • Complexity and lack of understanding of brain processes