The Brain

• What is the function of the cerebrum?


  Controls consciousness, intelligence, memory and language
• What is the function of the hypothalamus?


  Maintains body temperature, produces hormones that control pituitary gland
• Pituitary gland


  Gland that controls/releases hormones
• Medulla


  Controls unconscious activities e.g. breathing and heart rate
• Cerebellum


  Muscle coordination and balance
• Name 3 ways of studying brain function

  Case studies, fMRI scanners, studying brains of people who have died
• Why is investigating bran function difficult?

  Unethical, studying dead people's brains relies on people donating their brain after death, difficult to interpret results of fMRI (would pattern of activity be same in normal situations?)
• What are the reasons treating problems with the brain can be tricky

  No way has been developed to repair nerve tissue in CNS, brain not easy to access, treating problems in nervous system could lead to permanent damage