E5 The human brain

Monday, 3 September 2012 1:07 PM

E.5.1 Label, on a diagram of the brain, the medulla oblongata, cerebellum, hypothalamus, pituitary gland and cerebral hemispheres.

E.5.2 Outline the functions of each of the parts of the brain listed in E.5.1. Medulla oblongata: controls automatic and homeostatic activities, such as swallowing, digestion and vomiting, and breathing and heart activity.

Cerebellum: coordinates unconscious functions, such as movement and balance.

Hypothalamus: maintains homeostasis, coordinating the nervous and endocrine systems, secreting hormones of the posterior pituitary, and releasing factors regulating the anterior pituitary. Pituitary gland: the posterior lobe stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus and the anterior lobe, and produces and secretes hormones regulating many body functions. Cerebral hemispheres: act as the integrating centre for high complex functions such as learning, memory and emotions. E.5.3 Explain how animal experiments, lesions and FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scanning can be used in the identification of the brain part involved in specific functions. Animal experiments: A part of the animal's brain is removed/connections with brain are severed Animal remains alive so functions of brain can be examined Effect on animal's behaviour informs about role of the area/connections Less frequently conducted because of ethics and technology Testing of response of animals to certain drugs Lesions: Investigations on people who have suffered brain damage Accidents, strokes, tumours' effect on behaviour and body functions
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Accidents, strokes, tumours' effect on behaviour and body functions Allows to identify specific areas of brain that control certain functions Post-mortem investigations of stroke victims inform role of each area of brain Split-brain patients inform lateralisation of brain

fMRI: Uses radio waves and strong magnetic field Able to see blood flow in brain as it is occurring Subject performs tasks or exposed to various stimuli Determine with precision when regions of brain become active Possible to determine if brain activity occurs in same/different regions fMRI used by doctors to determine: Plan for surgery Treatment for stroke Placement of radiation therapy for brain tumour Effects of degenerative brain disease Diagnosing how a diseased/injured brain is working
E.5.4 Explain sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the heart rate, movements of the iris and flow of blood to the gut. CNS (central nervous system) Brain Spinal cord PNS (peripheral nervous system) Somatic (voluntary) Automatic (involuntary) Sympathetic system Parasympathetic system Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are antagonistic Sympathetic system Important in emergency 'fight or flight' Noradrenaline Excitatory Dilates pupil Inhibits saliva production Dilates bronchi Speeds up heart Stimulates adrenaline and noradrenaline secretion Stimulates glucose release Inhibits activity Inhibits activity Inhibits urination Stimulates stomach, pancreas and intestines Stimulates large intestine Stimulates urination Relax Acetylcholine Inhibitory Constricts pupil Stimulates saliva production Constricts bronchi Slows heart Parasympathetic system Important in returning to normal

Promotes ejaculation

Causes erection

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E.5.5 Explain the pupil reflex. Pupil reflex is a cranial reflex Bright light perceived by ganglion cells --> impulse passes to midbrain --> nerve --> eye Circular muscle in iris contracts, reducing amount of light upon retina Dilating iris is not as fast since the need to allow more light into the eye is not urgent Enough light has to fall on retina to see, too much can cause damage to retina Pupil dilated in dim light, constricted in bright light Circular and radial muscles change diameter of pupil Circular muscle contracts, radial relax --> smaller pupil Circular muscle relaxes, radial contract --> larger pupil

E.5.6 Discuss the concept of brain death and the use of the pupil reflex in testing for this. Cardiac death: heart and breathing stop Resuscitation devices can maintain functions of heart and lungs Brain death: irreversible cessation of all brain functions Centres of brain responsible for life processes have stopped functioning

Criteria for brain death: Pupils remain in mild position, don't react to light (no pupil reflex) Eyes don't blink when touched
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Eyes don't blink when touched Eyes don't rotate in sockets when head is moved Eyes don't move when iced water is placed in outer ear canal No cough/gagging when a suction tube is placed well into the trachea Breathing doesn't commence when patient is taken off ventilator

E.5.7 Outline how pain is perceived and how endorphins can act as painkillers. Pain signals are carried by peripheral nerve from body --> spinal cord --> sensory area of brain Peripheral fibres connect with nocioreceptors (pain receptors) Nocioreceptors sense excess heat, pressure, chemicals from injured tissues Receptors found in skin, muscle, bones, joints, membranes Nerve impulses of pain --> spinal cord --> cerebral cortex Cerebral cortex receives pain message from spinal nerves and respond: Tell muscles to stop action causing pain stimulus Alert autonomic nervous system if pain requires change in heart rate/breathing Direct other brain cells to release pain-suppressing endorphins Morphine and heroin bound to brain receptors because they mimic endorphins Endorphins are CNS NTs with pain-relieving properties Endorphins: small peptides which bind to opiate receptors, block transmission of impulses at synapses

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