New
New
Year 10
AQA
Foundation

The human brain

I can describe the main regions of the brain and their functions.

New
New
Year 10
AQA
Foundation

The human brain

I can describe the main regions of the brain and their functions.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The human brain is an organ made of billions of neurones.
  2. The brain acts as the processing centre for the nervous system.
  3. Key regions of the brain (e.g. cerebral cortex, cerebellum, brain stem) and the processes they regulate.

Common misconception

Confusion around which functions of the brain operate where, the level of detail required, and how these functions can become impaired through injury or disease are common.

The role and parts of the brain are covered in detail and separately to avoid confusion. Quick checks and tasks focus on areas of misunderstanding to reinforce the correct message and help identify those who have got it wrong.

Keywords

  • Brain - The organ which controls responses to the internal and external environments.

  • Cerebral cortex - The part of the brain responsible for conscious thoughts and responses.

  • Cerebellum - The part of the brain responsible for conscious movement.

  • Brain stem - The part of the brain responsible for unconscious control of the body.

Don't go into detail about the lobes of the cerebral cortex: they are not needed at GCSE. Instead, focus on ensuring students can correctly assign the functions to the areas, and spend time checking this, with more checks if necessary.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are nerve cells called?
Correct Answer: neurones, neurons, neuron, neurone
Q2.
What does CNS stand for?
central neurone system
Correct answer: central nervous system
core neurone system
core nervous system
Q3.
What does the central nervous system include?
realy neurones
Correct answer: spinal cord
motor neurones
Correct answer: brain
sensory neurones
Q4.
Label the parts of the neurone.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:a,dendron

dendron

Correct Answer:b,cell body

cell body

Correct Answer:c,axon

axon

Q5.
How does a message travel down a neurone?
chemically
by diffusion
by enzyme action
Correct answer: electrically
by osmosis
Q6.
True or false? The brain is involved in the initial response of the reflex arc.
true
Correct answer: false

6 Questions

Q1.
The human brain is made up of billions of .
Correct Answer: neurones, nerve cells, neurons
Q2.
True of false? The right side of the brain controls the right side of the body.
true
Correct answer: false
Q3.
Match the label to the part of the brain.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:A,brain stem

brain stem

Correct Answer:B,cerebral cortex

cerebral cortex

Correct Answer:C,cerebellum

cerebellum

Q4.
Which unconscious processes does the brain control?
Correct answer: heart rate
Correct answer: body temperature
decision making
Correct answer: breathing rate
language
Q5.
Which part of the brain is responsible for conscious movement including balance and coordination.
An image in a quiz
brain stem
cerebral cortex
Correct answer: cerebellum
Q6.
Which part of the brain is responsible for consciousness?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: cerebral cortex