AQA Biology 4.5.2.2

The brain

Three regions, three kinds of job. Find each one, then work out which was damaged from what a patient can’t do.

Triple Science · Higher tier

Start here

Spin and stop.

You spin round ten times on the spot, then try to walk in a straight line.

If you had to guess, is staying balanced something you think about, or something your brain does automatically?

Regions

Three regions.

The brain controls complex behaviour. It is made of billions of interconnected neurones and has different regions that carry out different functions. Tap each region to find it on the diagram.

Tap a region.

Damage

Which region was damaged?

Each patient below has damage to one region. Pick a patient, then check which region lights up.

Pick a patient.

Triple Higher

How do we know? Why is it hard?

Neuroscientists have mapped regions of the brain to particular functions in three ways. Tap each.

The complexity and delicacy of the brain make investigating and treating brain disorders very difficult. Damaged neurones are not easily repaired or replaced. Taking a sample of brain tissue, or operating, risks damaging other parts of the brain.

Reflexes that pass through an unconscious part of the brain: Reflex actions.

Think again · who does the thinking?

“The cerebellum does the thinking.”

Your call

Choose

Which region carries out memory, language and consciousness?

Sort

Region and job

Place each one.

Tap a card, then tap the box it belongs in. Tap a placed card to take it back.

Command words in this lesson

Identify: The cerebral cortex, cerebellum and medulla on a diagram.
Describe: What each region does.
Suggest: Which region is damaged, from what a patient can’t do.

Key fact

Cerebral cortex: consciousness, intelligence, memory and language. Cerebellum: muscle coordination. Medulla: unconscious activities such as heartbeat and breathing.

Key note · AQA 4.5.2.2 (Triple)

The brain

The brain controls complex behaviour: billions of interconnected neurones in regions with different functions.
Cerebral cortex: consciousness, intelligence, memory, language. Cerebellum: muscle coordination. Medulla: heartbeat, breathing.
Regions were mapped from patients with brain damage, electrical stimulation and MRI scanning.
The brain is complex and delicate, so investigating and treating disorders is very difficult.

Photograph this card. Tomorrow, cover it and say each line first.

Previous and next

Connects to

Ask MrBadmus

Mixing up the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum?

The brain diagram is schematic. Patients are illustrative.