Studying Brain Damage Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What does the term brain damage mean?

When some brain cells are hurt or killed so that part of the brain does not work properly.

How can scientists work out what a part of the brain does by studying brain damage?

They see which skills or senses are lost after a part is damaged. They then link the lost job to that part of the brain.

Why is it hard and risky to study the brain by doing experiments on it?

The brain is very soft and is protected by the skull. Cutting into a healthy brain can cause serious harm, so it is not allowed.

What is a stroke and how can it lead to brain damage?

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel bursts. The brain cells in that area die and the person may lose some abilities.

How can cases of stroke patients help scientists map the brain?

Scientists compare what the person could do before and after the stroke. They match the new problems, like weak limbs or speech loss, to the part of the brain that was damaged.

What is a CT scan used for when studying brain damage?

A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to make pictures of the brain. CT stands for computed tomography. It can show areas of bleeding, tumours or dead tissue.

What is an MRI scan and why is it useful for studying the brain?

An MRI scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to make very clear pictures of the brain. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It does not need surgery, so doctors can see which areas are damaged.

How can brain scans help link brain structure to behaviour?

Scans show which part of the brain has changed. Scientists match this to changes in movement, senses or behaviour to find out what each part does.

Why can it be hard to be sure about conclusions from one person with brain damage?

Each person’s injury is different and damage can affect several areas at once. This makes it hard to tell which part caused which effect.

What might happen if the area of the brain that controls speech is damaged?

The person may find it hard to talk, find words or understand what other people say.