The
Brain
External structure of the brain
Parietal lobe
Frontal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Cerebellum
Brain stem
Functions of the lobes
Link to 3D image of brain
Spinal cord
Internal structure of the brain
corpus collosum
cerebral cortex
thalamus
ventricle
hypothalamus
cerebellum
pituitary gland
pons
midbrain
medulla oblongata
medulla
oblongata
pituitary
corpus
hypothamalus
cerebral
ventricle
thalamus
midbrain
pons
cerebellum
collosum
gland
cortex
cerebral cortex
Sensory information such as vision,
smell and hearing processed here.
Higher cognitive functions.
corpus collosum
Connects the left and
right hemispheres to
coordinate information
hypothalamus
Homeostasis: control
of body temperature
and osmoregulation.
Secretes hormones
pituitary gland
Produces hormones that
control growth, sexual
development and metabolism
midbrain
Involved in control of visual and
auditory systems. Also controls
body movement
cerebellum
Fine motor
control, posture
and balance
pons
Links the medulla
with the thalamus
medulla oblongata
Controls breathing, heart rate and
blood pressure; reflex actions
such as vomiting and sneezing
Structure
Function
cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
cerebellum
midbrain
pons
medulla oblongata
corpus collosum
pituitary gland
Drag the function to the
matching structure:
Homeostasis:
Sensory
information
control
such
of body
as
vision,
temperature
smell
and
and
hearing
Control
of
visual
and
auditory
systems.
Also
controls
Controls
breathing,
heart
rate
and
blood
pressure,
alsobody
Produces
hormones
that
sexual
development
Connects
the
left
and
right
hemispheres
coordinate
Links
Finethe
motor
medulla
control,
with
posture
thecontrol
thalamus
andgrowth,
balanceto
osmoregulation.
processed
here.
Higher
Secretes
cognitive
hormones
functions
movement
controls
reflex
actions
such
as vomiting
and sneezing
and
metabolism
information
Studying the brain
Scientists study the functions
of parts of the brain by
observing the behaviour of
people who have suffered
brain damage or have
degenerative brain diseases.
Scientists also use animal
studies to investigate brain
functioning.
Phineas Gage: experienced personality
and behavioural changes after damage to
his frontal lobe
A stroke of insight: the effects of a stroke (TED talks: 19 minutes)
Medical imaging technology
CT scans (computerised
tomography):
Use X rays to identify
major structures and can
detect problems such as
tumours and aneurisms.
Sometimes a dye has to
be injected into the
blood.
CT scan showing a brain aneurism (swelling of the artery)
CT scan video
Medical imaging technology
Magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI):
Uses high level
magnetic field and
radio waves to image
soft tissues.
It is useful for
diagnosing tumours,
clots, infections and
brain damage
MRI scan of a brain tumour
CT scan of same tumour
MRI scan video
Medical imaging technology
Functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI):
Monitors changes in brain
activity by measuring the
changes in blood flow and
oxygen uptake.
Allows for the study of the
different functions of the
parts of the brain.
FMRI images of the brain showing brain activity
Potential uses of fMRI (4 minute TED talk)
Quick Quiz:
Internal structure and function of the brain
Label the parts of the brain
2
1
8
3
7
4
6
5
State the parts of the brain which have the following functions
9. Regulates body temperature and osmoregulation. Secretes hormones.
10. Connects the left and right hemispheres.
11. Processes visual, smell and auditory information, higher cognitive processes.
12. Fine motor control. Balance and posture.
13. Controls breathing and heart rates plus reflex actions such as vomiting.
14. Controls visual and auditory systems, controls body movement.
15. Secretes hormones that control growth, metabolism and sexual development.
Answers:
1. Cerebral cortex
2. Corpus collosum
3. Cerebellum
4. Pons
5. Medulla oblongata
6. Midbrain
7. Pituitary gland
8. Hypothalamus
9. Hypothalamus
10. Corpus collosum
11. Cerebral cortex
12. Cerebellum
13. Medulla oblongata
14. Midbrain
15. Pituitary gland
Interesting links
Neuroethics
Neuroscience for kids
BBC: The Mind and Brain
TED talk: creativity and fMRI (19 minutes)
www.clickbiology.com