the brain and eye

• the brain is responsible for...

  complex behaviours
• the brain is part of the...

  central nervous system
• the brain is made up of...

  billions of interconnected neurones
• the brain controls and coordinates...

  everything you do (conscious and unconscious activates)
• brain diagram

  
• cerebral cortex description


  outer, wrinkly and thin layer of grey matter of the cerebrum
• the cerebral cortex is responsible for...

  conscious activities
• cerebral cortex function


  responsible for the higher-level processes of the human brain, including, language, memory, reasoning, thought, learning, decision-making, emotion, intelligence and personality
• cerebellum description


  the portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem
• the cerebellum is responsible for...

  coordinating movement and balance
• cerebellum function


  responsible for coordinating movement and balance- also known as the "little brain", it plays a vital role in language and attention and can assist people with vision and eye movement
• medulla description


  the bottom-most part of your brain, where the brain and spinal cord connect
• the medulla is responsible for...

  unconscious activities
• medulla function


  responsible for life-sustaining functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate
• pituitary gland description


  a small, pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of your brain
• the pituitary gland is responsible for...

  hormone secretion
• pituitary gland function


  responsible for secreting hormones that control the activity of the other endocrine glands and regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction
• studying patients with brain damage

  scientists can link the area of the brain with side effects to work out what each part of the brain is responsible for.
• electrically stimulating the brain

  by pushing a tiny electrode into the tissue and giving it a small zap of electricity, then by observing what happens, scientists can discover new things about the brain.
• MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging)

  uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that reveal the brain's structure and what parts of the brain are active during certain activities
• risks associated with brain investigation

  the brain is incredibly delicate, so carrying out investigations/treatments could result in physical damage and/or increased problems (new/already existing)
• the eye is ... organ

  sense
• eye diagram

  
• sclera


  white of the eye, which is the tough, supporting wall
• cornea


  the transparent layer forming the front of the eye that refracts light into the eye
• iris


  a ring of muscle tissue that forms the coloured portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening, hence controlling how much light enters the eye
• pupil


  the adjustable opening in the center of the eye (or iris) where light enters
• lens


  the transparent structure behind the pupil that changes shape to help focus light on the retina
• aqeous humor


  watery substance which protects the lens, provides nourishment and gives the eye shape
• vitreous fluid


  jellylike substance found behind the lens in the posterior cavity of the eye that maintains its shape
• retina


  contains sensory receptors, which to light, that process visual information and sends it to the brain
• what types of sight receptors are there?

  rods and cones
• rods


  retinal receptors that detect black, white, and grey; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision, when cones don't respond
• cones


  retinal receptor cells that are concentrated near the centre of the retina and that function in daylight or in well-lit conditions. the cones detect fine detail and give rise to colour sensations
• ciliary muscles


  muscles which relax or contract and alter the shape of the lens
• suspensory ligaments


  a series of fibres that hold the lens of the eye in place
• optic nerve


  the nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain
• in bright light

  a reflex is triggered that makes the pupils smaller. the circular muscles in the iris contract and the radial muscles relax - this reduces the amount of light let in
• in dark light


  a reflex is triggered that makes the pupils larger. the circular muscles in the iris relax and the radial muscles contract - this increases the amount of light let in
• accomodation


  the process of changing the shape of the lens to focus on near or distant objects.