3. Module 4 Responding to the environment
2.4.6 Organising the nervous system

4. Learning Outcomes To understand the structure of the human brain
Label the gross structure of the human brain
(Grade E - D)
Outline the function of the cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, hypothalamus and pituitary gland
(Grade C –B)
Describe the role of the brain and nervous system in coordinated muscular movement
(Grade B – A) 4

5. Starter A) Sensory areas B) Association areas C) Motor areas
Compare input with previous experiences in order to interpret what the input means and judge an appropriate response
Sends impulses to effectors (muscles and glands)
Receives impulses indirectly from the receptors
A) Sensory areas
B) Association areas
C) Motor areas
A3, B1 and C2

6. Gross Structure of Brain
Use a balloon as a model of the draw on the sections and label
Use page 228

7. Regions of the Brain

8. Regions of the brain Hindbrain Midbrain
Medulla oblongata – controls vital functions such as heart and ventilation rates, peristalsis and blood pressure
Cerebellum – controls balance and muscle coordination
Midbrain
Small in mammals
Contains nerve fibres that connect fore and hindbrain

9. Regions of the brain Forebrain
Cerebrum – controls the bodies voluntary behaviour, reasoning, personality and memory
Thalamus – relays sensory information from the sense organs to the correct part of the cerebellum
Hypothalamus – receives sensory information (body temp, blood solute concn)

10. Cerebral hemispheres
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain it is divided into 2 halves (hemispheres)
The two halves are quite separate except for the corpus callosum, (a bundle of 200 million neurones which run between the two halves)
The left cerebral hemisphere controls the right side of the body and visa versa

11. Cerebral hemispheres
The cerebral hemispheres have an outer layer the cerebral cortex which contains the nerve cell bodies (grey matter) and an inner area containing nerve fibres (white matter)
The cerebral cortex is highly folded and so has a large surface area.
The cortex is the most complicated, fascinating and least-understood part of the brain.

12. Functional areas

14. Functional areas
Mapping of the Somatosensory area reflects sensitivity.
Mapping of the Motor area reflects mobility.
Association areas are the link between the two and are involved in thinking, reasoning, decision making, memory, emotion and learning.

15. Mapping of
Somatosensory area Motor area

16. Parts of Brain Structure Description Function Cerebrum Cerebellum
Medulla oblongata
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland

17. Cerebrum Cerebellum Medulla oblongata Pituitary Gland Hypothalamus
Structure
Description
Function
Cerebrum
Largest part of brain, 2 hemispheres connected via corpus callosum, surface is thin layer of nerve cells known as the cerebral cortex-highly folded
Higher brain functions (e.g. conscious thought & emotional response, ability to override some reflexes, reasoning, judgement)
Cerebellum
Neurones carrying impulses to motor areas (contains over half of all nerve cells in brain)
Coordinated motor response: balance, fine movement: (voluntary muscle movement initiated in cerebrum) but fine muscle control requires significant nonconscious operation ‘autopilot’
Medulla oblongata
Found at the base of the brain, at the top of the spinal cord
Controls non-skeletal muscles e.g cardiac and respiratory centre
Hypothalamus
Found beneath the middle part of brain
Controls autonomic nervous system and endocrine glands. Homeostasis e.g. temperature, osmoregulation, hormones
Pituitary Gland
Small gland found at base of brain, below but attached to hypothalamus. Two lobes – anterior and posterior.
Endocrine gland, anterior lobe produces and secretes many hormones - control many other glands. Posterior stores and releases hormones made in the hypothalamus. (eg ADH)

18. Other areas

19. Starter
D, B,C

20. Task
Complete exam question (brain exam question)

21. Plenary
Use cards to play snap with the part and function of the brain

22. Learning Objectives Success Criteria
To understand the structure of the human brain
Label the gross structure of the human brain
(Grade E - D)
Outline the function of the cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata and hypothalamus
(Grade C –B)
Describe the role of the brain and nervous system in coordinated muscular movement
(Grade B – A) 22