The Brain #30

• 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
• What are the two halves of the cerebral cortex called?

  Hemispheres
• How do the left and right hemispheres of the brain differ?

  Left controls right side muscles, right controls left
• 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 connects the brain to the spinal cord?

  Brain stem
• What does the medulla control?

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

  By studying brain damage and stimulating regions
• What happens if a person has a stroke affecting hearing?

  They may lose the ability to hear
• What is one method of electrically stimulating the brain?

  Using a tiny electrode to zap brain parts
• What can happen when a specific brain region is stimulated?

  Muscle contraction or altered vision may occur
• What are CT scans primarily used for?

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

  PET and MRI measure brain activity better
• What happens in the brain during emotional stimuli in an MRI scan?

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

  Complexity, fragility, and range of issues
• What are some issues that can affect the brain?

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

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

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

  • Cerebral Cortex: Consciousness, intelligence, memory, language
  • Hemispheres: Left controls right side, right controls left
  • Cerebellum: Balance and muscle coordination
  • Hypothalamus: Regulates body temperature, signals pituitary gland
  • Brain Stem: Connects brain to spinal cord, controls unconscious activities
  • Medulla: Breathing and heartbeat regulation
• What are the methods used to study the brain?

  1. Studying brain damage (e.g., strokes)
  2. Electrically stimulating brain regions
  3. Scanning techniques:

  • CT scans: Identify damaged areas
  • PET scans: Measure brain activity
  • MRI scans: Assess underlying brain activity
• What are the challenges in treating brain conditions?

  • Wide range of potential issues (tumors, infections, trauma)
  • Fragility of brain tissue and skull encasement
  • Complexity of brain functions and processes