nervous system

• What is the brain made up of?

  Billions of interconnected nerve cells
• What functions does the brain perform?

  It holds thoughts and memories and is responsible for complex behaviors.
• What two parts make up the central nervous system?

  The brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the brain in decision-making?

  The brain makes all the important decisions apart from simple reflexes.
• What is the outer layer of the brain called?

  The cerebral cortex or cerebrum
• What functions are associated with the cerebral cortex?

  Consciousness, intelligence, memory, language, vision, and hearing.
• How is the cerebral cortex divided?

  Into two hemispheres
• Which hemisphere of the brain controls the muscles on the right side of the body?

  The left hemisphere
• What is the function of the cerebellum?

  It 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?

  The brain stem
• What does the medulla control?

  Unconscious activities like breathing and heart rate.
• How do scientists study the brain?

  By studying brain damage, electrically stimulating parts of the brain, and using brain scans.
• What is one method scientists use to learn about brain functions?

  Studying people with brain damage
• What can be inferred if a person loses their hearing after a stroke?

  The damaged region of the brain was likely responsible for hearing.
• What happens when different parts of the brain are electrically stimulated?

  It can result in muscle contractions or changes in vision.
• 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 scans are better at measuring underlying brain activity.
• What happens in the brain during an MRI scan when shown sad images?

  Certain parts of the brain associated with sadness appear brighter.
• Why is treating the brain difficult?

  Due to a wide range of issues, its encasement in the skull, and its complexity.
• What are some issues that can go wrong with the brain?

  Tumors, infections, trauma, and mental health problems.
• Why is the skull a challenge for brain treatment?

  It encases the brain and makes physical repairs difficult.
• Why is it difficult to fix brain issues with drugs?

  Because we do not fully understand the underlying processes of the brain.
• What are the main techniques used by scientists to study the brain?

  • Studying brain damage
  • Electrically stimulating parts of the brain
  • Scanning the brain (CT, PET, MRI)
• What are the challenges in treating brain conditions?

  • Wide range of potential issues (tumors, infections, trauma, mental health)
  • Encased in the skull, making surgery difficult
  • Complexity of the brain and lack of understanding of processes
• what organs make up the cns

  brain , spinal cord
• what is the cns

  central nervous system
• what are adaptations of a neurone

  long , thin , myelin sheath
• what is myelin sheaths purpose

  insulator so reduces energy loss and speeds up the movement of electrical signals
• 3 types of neurones?

  sensory neurone , relay neurone , motor neurone
• why do relay neurones not have myelin sheath

  because they are shorter
• stuff found in neurone

  dendrite , dendron , axon , axon terminals