The Human Brain

Cerebral hemispheres Hypothalamus Cerebellum Pituitary gland You must be able to label and annotate a diagram of the human brain. Pg. 490 Pituitary gland Medulla oblongata

Structure Function Cerebral hemisphere Intelligence, personality, senses, motor function, problem solving, organisation Hypothalamus Controls pituitary gland, secretes hormones Cerebellum Regulation & coordination of movement & balance Medulla oblongata Controls vital body functions e.g. heart rate, breathing Pituitary gland Secretes hormones

How do we know what parts of the brain are involved in specific functions? Brain lesions Functional Magnetic imaging Animal experimentation

Brain lesions Lesions on the brain give scientists an opportunity to study the function of the two hemispheres. Although the hemispheres are separate and regulate different functions, they are connected by the Corpus callosum (band of axons).

Areas of the brain have been named for these scientists. These two early neurologists studied patients who had suffered brain lesions. They deduced that there are specific areas of the brain responsible for language. Areas of the brain have been named for these scientists. Both regions are in the left hemisphere.

Spoon experiments of the 1960’s Observing patients who have had surgery to sever the corpus callosum, but kept the optic chiasma intact. These experiments were able to prove that the hemispheres of the brain process information in different ways. Split brain patients have been studied in many different ways. Details of spoon experiment pg. 492

2. fMRI Functional magnetic resonance imaging Uses radio waves and magnetic fields to see blood flow in the brain. Most commonly used to: plan for surgery, stroke treatment, radiation therapy, studying Alzheimer’s, diagnosing brain injuries/diseases

3. Animal experiments Very useful in studying addiction Animals respond in a similar way to Humans. Self administration experiments can be used to decide if a chemical is addictive or not. E.g. studies into acetaldehyde (chemical in tobacco) p.g. 494 What are the limitations of animal experiments?