The brain
The The organ of the central nervous system of mammals where vital functions are coordinated controls complex behaviour. It is made of billions of interconnected Nerve cells. They carry an electrical message or impulse when stimulated. and has different regions that carry out different functions.
There are four main areas in the brain:
- The cerebrum (the outer layer is called the cerebral cortex), which is split into two hemispheres and is highly folded. It controls intelligence, personality, conscious thought and high-level functions, such as language, verbal memory and emotions.
- The cerebellum, which controls balance, co-ordination of movement and muscular activity.
- The medulla, which controls unconscious activities such as heart rate and breathing rate,
- The The part of the brain that detects changes in blood temperature and water concentration., which is the regulating centre for temperature and water balance within the body.
Learn more about the brain with Dr Alex Lathbridge.
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
Dr Alex Lathbridge breaks down the structure of the brain and the eyes.
