Texts: the brain. Pre-reading and reading tasks.

1. Practise the pronunciation and study the meaning of the words:

refer (v)	[rI'fE:]	относить
axon	['xksPn]	аксон
behaviour	[bI'heIvIq]	поведение
cerebellum	["serI'belqm]	мозжечок
cerebrum	['serIbrqm, sq'ri:brqm]	головной мозг
hemisphere	['hemIsfIq]	полушарие
neuron	['njV(q)|rPn]	нейрон, нервная клетa
skull	[skAl]	череп
cerebral	['serIbrql]	черепно-мозговой, церебральный
wrinkled	['rINk(q)ld]	сморщенный, складчатый

2. Read and translate the text.

The brain

The brain looks like a mass of grey jelly and is very soft. It is protected in the hard, bony case known as the skull. The human brain is quite large but is wrinkled, which makes it compact.

The brain is the body’s control center. It is involved with what we do and what we think, as well as what we feel and remember. We also use our brain to learn. The left-hand side of our brain controls the right side of the body, and the right-hand side of our brain controls the left side of the body. Most people are right handed, because the left side of the brain is generally used more than the right side. It has been found that each side of our brain is responsible for different skills. The right side holds our artistic talent and imagination, and the left side is more responsible for practical abilities and logical thinking.

The cells that make up the brain are called neurons. Branches from the cells, called dendrites receive impulses from the nerves while axons transmit them. Our brain interprets the impulses and can tell where they are coming from and to what they are referring. The brain cells can also store information. A piece of stored information is called a memory. One part of our brain stores long-term memories, another part more recent memories.

The largest part of the brain consists of two sections. Together they are known as the cerebral hemispheres or cerebrum. The cerebrum is highly organized. It is arranged in areas that relate to different parts of the body and to different needs. Vision is interpreted at the back of the cerebrum; hearing and speech at the side. The areas for sensation and movement are in the middle. The area at the front of the cerebrum, the frontal lobes, controls our behaviour. Below and to the back of the cerebrum lies the cerebellum. It contains nerve cells that are mainly concerned with balance. Below this the brain is connected to the rest of the body by the spinal cord.

Comprehension check

1. Express your agreement or disagreement with the following:

1. The human brain is quite small and very hard.

2. Most people are left handed because the right side of the brain is generally used more than the left side.

3. The brain is responsible for only one skill.

4. The cells that make up the brain can store information.

5. Vision is interpreted at the back of the dendrites.

6. Our behaviour is controlled by the spinal cord.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. Where is the brain located?

2. What does the brain look like?

3. Why is the human brain wrinkled?

4. Can the brain cells store information?

5. What cells of the brain receive impulses from the nerves?

6. How is the cerebrum organized?

7. What role does the cerebellum perform?