The Brain (Edexcel International A Level Biology)

The scientific article you have studied is adapted from Rethinking Alzheimer’s in New Scientist (February 2019).

Use the information from the scientific article and your own knowledge to answer the following questions.

Memory and cognitive function are two processes that occur in the brain (paragraphs 2 and 13).

Different parts of the brain are responsible for specific functions.

Complete the table showing which parts of the brain are responsible for different functions.

Some forms of dementia can be diagnosed using brain scans.

Compare and contrast the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans to identify structures like plaques in the brain (paragraph 6).

Suggest how the amyloid protein may prevent bacterial infection in the brain (paragraphs 7 and 22).

Explain how the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis that causes gum disease may invade the brain and cause inflammation in brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease (paragraphs 10, 20 and 21).

Suggest how gingipains may have a degrading effect on the memory of a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (paragraph 12).

The team found genetic material from P. gingivalis in the cerebral cortex (paragraph 13).

Describe how the team could show that this genetic material is active.