����ý

The brain controls complex behaviour. It is made of billions of interconnected neurones and has different regions that carry out different functions.

The four main areas in the brain are:

• 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 and verbal memory.
• 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 hypothalamus, 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 ����ý Sounds.