The Brain

External structure of the brain Frontal lobe Parietal lobe Occipital lobe Temporal lobe Cerebellum Brain stem Functions of the lobes Spinal cord Link to 3D image of brain

Internal structure of the brain corpus collosum cerebral cortex thalamus ventricle hypothalamus cerebellum pituitary gland pons midbrain medulla oblongata

pituitary gland pons ventricle midbrain corpus collosum thalamus Students click and drag the labels (no need to hold down the right button when dragging) to the correct spot and click again to release the label. pituitary gland pons ventricle midbrain corpus collosum thalamus hypothamalus cerebral cortex medulla oblongata cerebellum

Drag each image section into place to create the brain

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 cerebellum Homeostasis: control of body temperature and osmoregulation. Secretes hormones Fine motor control, posture and balance pituitary gland pons Produces hormones that control growth, sexual development and metabolism Links the medulla with the thalamus midbrain medulla oblongata Involved in control of visual and auditory systems. Also controls body movement 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 each sentence to the corresponding structure Drag the function to the matching structure: Links the medulla with the thalamus Controls breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, also controls reflex actions such as vomiting and sneezing Control of visual and auditory systems. Also controls body movement Sensory information such as vision, smell and hearing processed here. Higher cognitive functions Fine motor control, posture and balance Homeostasis: control of body temperature and osmoregulation. Secretes hormones Produces hormones that control growth, sexual development and metabolism Connects the left and right hemispheres to coordinate 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 3 4 5 6 7 8 1

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. Controls visual and auditory systems, controls body movement. 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)