The Brain
Get to grips with The Brain for GCSE Biology with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. A separate (triple) biology topic on the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and medulla, and why the brain is so difficult to study and treat.
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Topic overview
The brain controls complex behaviour and is made of billions of interconnected neurones. Three regions must be known. This is a Triple-only topic.
The cerebral cortex is the outer folded layer, responsible for consciousness, intelligence, memory and language. The cerebellum, at the back and below, coordinates muscular activity and balance. The medulla, at the top of the spinal cord, controls unconscious activities such as heart rate and breathing rate.
Studying the brain is difficult and dangerous because it is complex and delicate. Neuroscientists map regions by studying patients with brain damage, by electrically stimulating parts of the brain, and by using MRI scans to show which areas are active during particular tasks.
Revision notes
The three regions
Cerebral cortex: the outer folded layer responsible for consciousness, intelligence, memory and language.
Cerebellum: at the back and below, coordinating muscular activity and balance. Medulla: at the top of the spinal cord, controlling unconscious activities such as heart rate and breathing.
How the brain is studied
Studying patients with brain damage and observing which functions are lost.
Electrically stimulating different parts of the brain and observing the effect. Using MRI scans, which show which regions are active while a person performs a task.
Why treatment is difficult
The brain is extremely complex and delicate, and it is encased in the skull, making access difficult.
It is very easy to cause permanent damage during surgery, and the functions of different regions are not fully mapped, so treating brain disorders carries significant risk.
Key points
- The cerebral cortex controls consciousness, memory and language.
- The cerebellum coordinates muscular activity and balance.
- The medulla controls unconscious activities such as heart rate.
- The brain is studied using damaged patients, stimulation and MRI scans.
- The brain is complex and delicate.
- Treating brain disorders risks permanent damage.
Worked examples
Example 1
Name the region of the brain that controls heart rate and breathing rate. [1 mark]
Model answer
The medulla (1 mark).
Example 2
Describe two methods neuroscientists use to map the regions of the brain. [2 marks]
Model answer
Studying patients with brain damage and observing which functions have been lost (1 mark). Using MRI scans to show which regions of the brain are active while a person carries out a particular task (1 mark).
Example 3
Explain why treating disorders of the brain is difficult. [3 marks]
Model answer
The brain is extremely complex and delicate (1 mark) and is encased in the skull, which makes it difficult to access (1 mark). It is also very easy to cause permanent damage during any procedure (1 mark).
Common mistakes
Confusing the cerebellum with the cerebral cortex.
The cortex handles conscious thought; the cerebellum handles muscular coordination and balance.
Saying the medulla controls conscious actions.
It controls unconscious activities such as heart rate and breathing.
Giving only one reason brain treatment is difficult.
Complexity, delicacy and difficulty of access are all valid and often all needed.
Forgetting this is a Triple-only topic.
Combined Science students do not need it, but Triple students certainly do.
Exam tips
- Learn the three regions and one function for each.
- Name MRI scans specifically when asked about research methods.
- Give several reasons when explaining why brain treatment is risky.
- Remember this is a Triple-only topic.
Key terms
- Cerebral cortex
- The outer folded layer of the brain controlling conscious thought.
- Cerebellum
- The region coordinating muscular activity and balance.
- Medulla
- The region controlling unconscious activities such as heart rate.
- MRI scan
- A scanning technique showing which brain regions are active.
Related topics
Written and reviewed against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.