5.1.4 The Brain

Components of the brain:

1. Cerebral cortex : controls consciousness, intelligence, memory and language; it is the outer part of the brain
2. Cerebellum : controls fine movement of muscles; rounded structure towards the bottom/back of brain
3. Medulla : controls unconscious actions such as breathing and heart rate; found in the brain stem in front of the cerebellum

Investigating brain function and treating brain damage and disease is difficult because:

• It is complex and delicate
• It is easily damaged
• Drugs given to treat diseases cannot always reach the brain because of the membranes that surround it
• It is not fully understood which part of the brain does what

Neuroscientists (those that study the nervous system) can map out the regions of the brain using a number of methods:

4. Studying patients with brain damage Observing the changes in an individual following damage on a certain area of the brain can provide information on the role this area has.

5. Electrically stimulating different parts of the brain This can be done by pushing an electrode into the brain. The stimulation may result in a mental or physical change in the individual, providing information on the role this area of the brain has.

6. Using MRI scanning techniques A magnetic resonance imaging scanner can be used to create an image of the brain. This can be used to show which part of the brain is affected by a tumour, or which part is active during a specific task.