Brain Structure

Question 1

Label the following lobes on the brain:

1. frontal lobe
2. parietal lobe
3. occipital lobe
4. temporal lobe
5. cerebellum

Answer 1

Question 2

Describe the structure of the cerebrum.

Answer 2

• The cerebrum (cerebral cortex) is the largest part of the brain and is divided into 2 cerebral hemispheres.
• The hemispheres are joined together by by a band of white matter called the corpus callosum.
• The cerebum has a thin outer layer called the cerebral cortex which has a large surface area so it’s highly folded to fit into the skull.

Question 3

What is the function of the cerebrum?

Answer 3

• The cerebrum is associated with advanced mental activity like
  
  • lanuage,
  • memory,
  • calculation,
  • processing information from the eyes and ears,
  • emotion and
  • controlling all of the volunatry activities of the body.

Question 4

What is the function of the frontal lobe?

Answer 4

• Higher functions such as:
  
  • decision making,
  • reasoning
  • planning
  • conciousness of emotions
  • forming associations and ideas

Question 5

What does the frontal lobe include?

Answer 5

It includes the primary motor cortex which has neurons that connect directly to the spinal cord and brain stem and from there to the muscles.

It sends information to the body via the motor neurones to carry out movements. The motor cortext also stores information about how to carry out different movements.

Question 6

What is the parietal lobe concerned with?

Answer 6

It is concerned with

• orientation
• movement
• sensation
• calculation
• some types of recognition
• memory

Question 7

What is the occipital lobe concerned with?

Answer 7

It is the visual cortex and is concerned with processing information from the eyes, including:

• vision
• colour
• shape recognition
• perspective

Question 8

What is the temporal lobe concerned with?

Answer 8

Concerned with processing auditory information e.g.

• hearing
• sound recognition
• speech (left temporal lobe)
• memory

Question 9

List/label parts of the cerebellum and brain stem

Answer 9

DONT FORGET BASAL GANGLIA WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE CORPUS CALLOSUM AND THE HIPPOCAMPUS

Question 10

What is the hypothalamus responsible for?

Answer 10

Controlling thermoregualtion

Question 11

Why is the cerebellum important?

Answer 11

It coordinates movement and is important for balance and coordinating muscle movements.

Question 12

What is the medualla oblongata responsible for?

Answer 12

It controls breathing rate, heart rate and blood pressure.

Question 13

How does Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) work?

Answer 13

• MRI scans using a magnetic field and radio waves to make images of soft tissue like the brain.
• MRI scans can be used in the diagnosis of tumours, strokes, brain injuries and infections.
• They can be used to track degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by comparing scans over a period of time.

Question 14

How does functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) work and how is it used?

Answer 14

• fMRI is a modified MRI technique that can allow you to see the brain in action during live tasks.
• This is because it detects activity in the brain by following the uptake of oxygen in active brain areas.

Question 15

How does Computerised Axial Tomography (CT or CAT) work and how is it used?

Answer 15

• CT scans use thousands of narrow beam x-rays rotated around the patient. Like MRI, they only capture one moment in time and so only look at structures and damage rather than functions.
• The resolution is worse that MRI so small structures in the brain can’t be distinguished; they also use potenially harmful x-rays.