The Brain

2.4.5

The structure
The cerebrum is the largest part and is divided into two hemispheres. They are connected by the corpus callosum. The outer layer has a surface area of 2.5m2, is folded and consists of a thin layer of nerve cell bodies known as the cerebal cortex. This is more developed in humans than any other organism - controls thought and emotion, ability to override reflexes and features associated with intelligence e.g. reasoning. Cerebral cortex is subdivided into areas for specific activities: Sensory areas - recieve impulses directly from the receptors Association areas - compare input with previous ones to interpret what it is and how to react Motor areas - send impulses to the effectors - on the left side they control muscular movements on the right and vice versa.

Coordinated responses
Conscious decisions to move voluntary muscles are initiated in the cereral hemisphere but this can't operate the human body in a coordinated way. Fine control of muscular movements requires a significant level of nonconscious operation e.g: Muscular activities associated with responding to changes in body position to remain balanced and upright Sensory activities such as judging the position of objets and limbs The tensioning of muscles to manipulate tools/instruments Feedback info on muscle postion, tension and fine movements Operation of antagonistic muscles to coordinate contraction and relaxation Neurones from the cerebellum carry impulses to the motor areas so that motor output to the effectors an be adjusted appropriately in relation to these requirements.

The cerebellum
This contains over half of all of the nerve cells in the brain. It plays a key role in coordinating balance and fine movement. To do this it processes sensory info from the following locations: the retina the balance organs in the inner ear specialised fibres in muscles called spindl fibres which give info about muscle tension the joints

Other brain regions

Medulla Oblangata - controls non skeletal muscles. This means that it is effectively in control of the autnomic nervous system. Regulatory centres for a number of vital processes are found here, including: the cardiac centre, regulates heart rate the respiratory centre, controls breathing and regulates the rate and depth of breathing. Hypothalamus - controls most of the bodies homeostatic mehcanisms. Senory input from temp receptors and osmoreceptors is received by the hypothalamus and leads to the initiation of automatic responses that regulate body temp and blood water potential. The hypothalamus also controls much of the endocrine function of the body because it regulates the pituitary gland.

Questions
Suggest what effect damage to the cerebellum might have on a person? It would result in a general lack of muscular coordination. The ability to walk properly is also affected as impulses from the balance organ in the inner ear are not effectively coordinated with muscular movements associated with balance. People with damage will look like they are drunk. Explain why a stroke leading to damage to the left side of the brain can result in paralysis of the right arm and leg? This is because the motor centres at one side of the brain are responsible for stimulating movement in the muscles in the opposite side of the body.