The Brain

Basics of the Brain

  • The brain is a sophisticated organ responsible for processing sensory information and control of bodily functions.
  • It’s organised into different regions, each carrying out distinct roles.
  • The brain is protected by the skull and surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions it against impact.

Structure and Function of the Brain

  • The brain is divided into key areas: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata.
  • The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is further divided into two hemispheres and four main lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.
  • This area of the brain is responsible for higher mental functions such as thinking, learning, memory, consciousness and emotions.

  • The outer layer of the cerebrum is the cerebral cortex. It is highly convoluted to increase the surface area for neurons.

  • The cerebellum, located at the back of the brain, coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity.

  • The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, controls vital automatic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate.

The Nervous System and the Brain

  • The brain communicates with the rest of the body via the nervous system, allowing the organism to respond to changes in its environment swiftly.
  • The brain, along with the spinal cord, constitutes the central nervous system which integrates and processes information sent by nerves from throughout the body.

The Brain and Behavior

  • Different parts of the brain have roles in determining personality and behavior. For instance, the frontal lobe of the cerebrum is involved in decision-making and social behaviour.
  • Studying damage to specific areas of the brain or brain disorders can help us understand more about the roles of different brain regions.

Brain investigation methods

  • Different techniques can be used to study the brain include MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to reveal brain structure and function respectively.
  • These techniques have advanced our understanding of the brain but the brain is so complex there is still much we do not know.