The Brain

This lesson covers the structure and function of the human brain as required by the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification (1SC0). You need to identify the main areas of the brain, understand their functions and discuss the difficulties of studying and treating brain disorders.

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Overview of the Brain

The brain is the main organ of the central nervous system (CNS). It is a highly complex organ made up of billions of neurones (nerve cells) that are interconnected by synapses.

The brain controls and coordinates:

• Voluntary actions (conscious decisions, e.g. walking, talking).
• Some involuntary actions (e.g. heartbeat, breathing).
• Higher functions (e.g. memory, learning, emotions, language).

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Main Areas of the Brain

You need to know the location and function of three main areas:

1. Cerebral Cortex (Cerebrum)

The cerebral cortex is the largest part of the brain, forming the heavily folded outer layer. It is divided into two halves called cerebral hemispheres.