Brain 🧠

• What are the three main parts of the brain?

  The three main parts of the brain are the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata.
• What does the cerebrum do?

  It is found at the front of the brain and is used for senses such as language, memory ,behaviour and consciousness as it receives information from sense organs.
• How is the cerebrum adapted to its function?

  The cerebrum is highly convulated meaning it has a large surface area to increase its capacity to carry out complex functioning.
• What is the cerebellum and what does it do?

  It is found at the back of the brain, controls balance and posture, coordinates timing, fine muscle control and is responsible for non voluntary movement.
• What is the medulla oblongata and what does it do?

  The medulla oblongata is the lower part of the brainstem that controls vital functions such as breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure. It is responsible for reflexes such as sneezing or vomiting.
• What is the central nervous system?

  The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.
• What is the nervous system?

  It contains the brain,spinal cord and nerves.
• What are the other parts of the brain?

  Brainstem, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, visual cortex and corpus callosum.
• What is the Spinal cord?

  A band of tissues made of nerves that transfer neurones along the body.
• What are the steps of electrical stimulation?

  1. Place tiny electrodes onto different parts of the brain.
  2. Provide tiny jolts of electricity.
  3. Brain will stimulate.
  4. Observe effects and see if non voluntary movement takes place when motor area is stimulated.
• What are EEGs?

  EEGs (electroencephalograms) can be created from electrical stimulation to observe the electrical activity in the brain and functions of the brain.
• What are EEGs mainly used for?

  They are mainly used for brain surgery and if a patient has the electrode placed in the cerebral cortex, they will get an acid taste in their mouth because this part is responsible for taste and sense.
• Diagram of EGGS.

  This is diagram example of EEGs

  
• What are the steps of CT scans?

  1. The patient lies on the bed and a ring of equipment rotates around.
  2. X-ray beams move in circles over the head.
  3. The ring takes a series of X-rays from different angles.
  4. Detectors measure how parts of the brain absorb the X- rays.
  5. A computer builds up a view of the inside of the brain as a series of slices.
• What do CT scans do?

  They show parts of the brain and denser material absorbs more rays causing white areas and the difference in shapes van show the differences in people's behaviour.
• If someone's brain absorbs more X-rays what could this mean?

  It means that they might have a cancerous brain tumour and a tumour is dense so it would absorb more X rays.
• Pros of CT scans

  • interpreted by medical professionals
  • cheaper
  • quicker
  • can be performed on healthy people
  • look deeper into the brain
• Cons of electrical stimulation

  • unreliable as they rely on what person feels.
  • Expensive.
  • Slower.
  • only performed on people having brain surgery.
• Diagram of CT scans

  This is diagram example of CT scans

  
• What are the steps PET scans?

  1. Patient is injected with radioactive glucose.
  2. More active cells take in glucose than less active cells for respiration.
  3. Radioactive atoms cause gamma rays detected by scanner.
  4. More active cell is, more gamma rays given out.
• What do PET scans do?

  They show the shape and structure of brain activities as they allow scientists to match activities to certain parts of the brain.
• Diagram of PET scans

  This is a diagram of PET scans

  
• What is a cancerous brain tumour?

  It is a mass of cells that have grown uncontrollably and affect the brain as less blood passes through it and it results in less oxygen to the brain causing damages to areas.
• What are the treatments for tumours?

  Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and brain surgery.
• Pros and cons of radiotherapy

  Pros: uses high energy X-rays to kill tumour cells.

  Cons: can also damage healthy, active cells.
• Pros and cons of chemotherapy

  Pros: Uses drugs to kill active cells in the tumour and stops growth of tumour.

  Cons: can affect healthy, active cells like hair cells resulting in hair loss. Treatment restricted due to blood-brain barrier.
• Pros and cons of brain surgery

  Pros: opens up skull and is invasive to get rid of tumour directly.

  Cons: can risk affecting speech or motor skills which could be permanent damage, can also take away health parts of the brain.