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→Key Stage 4
The [[brain]] is an [[organ]] in the [[Nervous System|nervous system]].
==Key Stage 4Foundation==
[[File:BrainDiagramKS4.png|right|300px|thumb|A [[diagram]] of the [[brain]], including the [[Cerebrum]], [[Cerebellum]], [[Medulla]] and [[Pituitary Gland]].]]
===Meaning===
:*The [[Medulla]] which controls the heartbeat, breathing and peristalsis in the [[Digestive System|digestive system]].
:*The [[Pituitary Gland]] which [[secrete]]s [[hormone]]s which control other [[Endocrine Gland|endocrine glands]] in the body.
==Key Stage 4 Higher==
[[File:BrainDiagramKS4.png|right|300px|thumb|A [[diagram]] of the [[brain]], including the [[Cerebrum]], [[Cerebellum]], [[Medulla]] and [[Pituitary Gland]].]]
===Meaning===
The [[brain]] is part of the [[Central Nervous System|central nervous system]] which processes information sent by [[nerve]]s.
===About the Brain===
: The [[brain]] is responsible for coordinating the [[muscle]]s and [[gland]]s around the body.
: The [[brain]] is the location of the [[Pituitary Gland|pituitary gland]] which controls the release of [[hormone]]s in the [[Endocrine System|endocrine system]].
: There are several important structures in the [[brain]] including:
:*The [[Cerebrum]] (or [[Cerebrum|Cerebral Cortex]]) which deals with memory, language and conscious thought.
:*The [[Cerebellum]] which deals with balance and the coordination of movement.
:*The [[Medulla]] which controls the heartbeat, breathing and peristalsis in the [[Digestive System|digestive system]].
:*The [[Pituitary Gland]] which [[secrete]]s [[hormone]]s which control other [[Endocrine Gland|endocrine glands]] in the body.
===Investigating the Brain===
: There are several ways in which the structure and function of different parts of the [[brain]] can be investigated.
====MRI Scans====
: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe technique to observe the structure of a person's [[brain]] without surgery. It allows researchers to [[observe]] the size and shape of different structures in the [[brain]] and compare these to psychological traits of an individual.
: Recently an advance called fMRI has allowed researchers to observe the flow of [[blood]] in the [[brain]] which can indirectly show which parts of the [[brain]] are active when people think about different things. This has shown that thoughts, such as imagining a picture of a family member and performing a mathematical calculation, are done in separate areas of the [[brain]].
====Brain Damage====
: It is not ethical to remove parts of people's [[brain]]s just to see what happens. However, studying people who have had accidental [[brain]] damage allows us to get the same kind of information.
: People who have suffered from [[brain]] damage may should unusual behaviours. Researchers can relate these behavioural changes to which part of the [[brain]] is damaged, giving information about which parts of the [[brain]] are important in certain processes.
====Direct Electrical Stimulation====
: It is not ethical to open people's [[brain]]s just to perform electrical stimulation to see what parts of the [[brain]] are involved in different processes. However, people who require [[brain]] surgery (for a variety of reasons) may consent to have this done for research purposes.
: Since [[neuron]]s send [[Impulse (Biology)|electrical impulses]] around the [[brain]] it's possible to cause these by touching an [[electrode]] against the [[brain]]. Patients who have consented to this have demonstrated that stimulating parts of the [[brain]] may make them think of a song or a childhood memory.
==Beyond the Curriculum==
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRFXSjkpKWA}}