The
Brain
External structure of the brain
Frontal lobe Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Cerebellum
Brain stem
Functions of the lobes
Link to 3D image of brain
Spinal cord
Internal structure of the brain
corpus collosum
cerebral cortex
thalamus
ventricle
hypothalamus
cerebellum
pituitary gland
pons
midbrain medulla oblongata
medulla oblongata
pituitary collosum
corpus gland
hypothamalus
cerebral cortex
ventricle
thalamus
midbrain
pons
cerebellum
cerebral cortex
Sensory information such as vision, corpus collosum
smell and hearing processed here. Connects the left and
Higher cognitive functions. right hemispheres to
coordinate information
hypothalamus
cerebellum
Homeostasis: control
of body temperature Fine motor
and osmoregulation. control, posture
Secretes hormones and balance
pituitary gland pons
Produces hormones that Links the medulla
control growth, sexual with the thalamus
development and metabolism
midbrain medulla oblongata
Involved in control of visual and Controls breathing, heart rate and
auditory systems. Also controls blood pressure; reflex actions
body movement such as vomiting and sneezing
Structure Function
cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
cerebellum
midbrain
pons
medulla oblongata
corpus collosum
pituitary gland
Drag the function to the Connectsinformation rightthalamus
Homeostasis: control of body temperature and development
Sensory breathing, heart as systems. Also controls
Producesmedulla withsuchratevision, smell and hearingbody
Control the left and
Controls of visual and auditoryand blood pressure, also
matching structure: Fine motor control, posture and balancesexual
Links the hormones that control growth,to coordinate
the hemispheres
controls reflex actions suchhormones and
osmoregulation. Secretes as vomiting
processed here.
and metabolism Higher cognitive functions sneezing
movement
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
Phineas Gage: experienced personality
functioning. 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
1 2
8
3
7
4
6
5
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.
14. Controls visual and auditory systems, controls body movement.
15. 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)
www.clickbiology.com