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
• How does the brain influence our behaviors?

  It decides actions like clothing choices and reading
• What are the main regions of the brain and their functions?

  • Cerebral cortex: consciousness, intelligence, memory, language
  • Hemispheres: left controls right body, right controls left body
  • Cerebellum: balance and muscle coordination
  • Hypothalamus: regulates body temperature and signals pituitary gland
  • Brain stem: connects brain to spinal cord, controls unconscious activities
• What is the role of the cerebral cortex?

  Responsible for consciousness, intelligence, memory, and language
• What does the cerebellum control?

  Balance and muscle coordination
• What is the function of the hypothalamus?

  Regulates body temperature and signals pituitary gland
• What does the brain stem connect?

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

  Unconscious activities like breathing
• How do scientists study the brain?

  • Study people with brain damage
  • Electrically stimulate brain parts
  • Use brain scanning techniques (CT, PET, MRI)
• What can studying brain damage reveal?

  Which brain regions are responsible for functions
• What happens when a specific brain region is damaged?

  It can lead to loss of specific functions
• What is a technique used to stimulate the brain?

  Using a tiny electrode
• What can electrical stimulation of the brain cause?

  Muscle contraction or visual changes
• What are the types of brain scans used in research?

  • CT scans: identify damaged areas
  • PET scans: measure brain activity with chemicals
  • MRI scans: measure brain activity with magnetic fields
• What do CT scans primarily show?

  Areas of the brain that are damaged
• How do PET and MRI scans differ from CT scans?

  They measure underlying brain activity
• What happens in an MRI machine when shown sad images?

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

  Complexity, fragility, and range of issues
• What types of problems can affect the brain?

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

  It's encased in the skull and fragile
• Why are drugs difficult to use for brain treatment?

  We don't fully understand brain processes
• What are the challenges in treating brain conditions?

  • Wide range of potential issues
  • Fragile structure within the skull
  • Complexity and lack of understanding