The Brain

• The brain processes information collected by receptor cells about changes in your internal and external environment
• The brain produces a coordinated response using all of this information.
• Hypothalamus

  • Regulates water balance and temperature.
  • Links the nervous system to hormones.
• Pituitary Gland


  • Stores and releases hormones that regulate many body functions.
• Medulla 


  Controls automatic actions such as heart rate and breathing rate.
• Cerebrum


  • Highly folded outer layer.
  • Controls complex behaviour such as learning, memory, personality etc
• Cerebellum


  Controls and coordinates posture, balance and movement.
• Skull


  Protects your brain.
• Vertebra 


  Protects spinal chord.
• Spinal Chord


  Bundle of nerves that carry info to and from the brain.
• What is the largest region of the brain?

  Cerebrum
• Name 4 imaging techniques

  - CT

  - MRI

  - FMRI

  - PET
• Name three advantages of CT scans

  - Detailed images

  - Can diagnose cancer, strokes and tissue damage

  - Used for complex fractures around joints
• Name four disadvantages of CT scans

  - Ionising radiation

  - Can cause cancer due to long exposure

  - Poses a threat to unborn babies

  - Not suitable for pregnant women
• Name six advantages of MRI scans

  - Detailed images of the brain and spinal chord.

  - Can be used to examine bones, blood flow, joints, heart and other internal organs.

  - Distinguishes between different types of tissue.

  - Detects cancerous cells.

  - Greatest resolution of imaging techniques.

  - Painless and safe.
• Name six disadvantages of MRI scans

  - Claustrophobic

  - Loud

  - Long procedure
• Name three advantages of EEGs

  - Used to detect epilepsy, fits and memory problems

  - No electricity use

  - Safe
• Name two disadvantages of EEGs

  - Long procedure

  - Uncomfortable
• Name two advantages of PET scans

  - Provides images of blood flow or biochemical functions such as glucose metabolism in the brain.

  - 3D image is produced.
• Name a disadvantage of PET scans

  - A short lived radioactive isotope is injected into the body.