The brain

• The nervous system enables humans to react to their surroundings and coordinate their behavior
• The nervous system comprises millions of neurones and uses electrical impulses to communicate quickly
• The brain is the organ of the central nervous system of mammals where vital functions are coordinated
• The brain is made of billions of interconnected neurones that carry electrical messages when stimulated
• The brain has different regions that carry out different functions
• Four main areas in the brain:

  • Cerebrum: controls intelligence, personality, conscious thought, language, and verbal memory
  • Cerebellum: controls balance, coordination of movement, and muscular activity
  • Medulla: controls unconscious activities like heart rate and breathing rate
  • Hypothalamus: regulates temperature and water balance within the body
• The hypothalamus detects changes in blood temperature and water concentration