Today is a great day to learn about your
BRAIN!!!
How do we know about the brain?
• EEG- electrical activity of brain
• CAT- 3D images • MRI- image of radio waves/
Hydrogen atom energy• PET- visual image of trace
chemical activity after injection of radioactive substance
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Electrodes are placed on the scalp that amplify recordings of the waves of electrical activity across the brain’s surface
• Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan)
• A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of the brain
• Position Emission Tomography (PET Scan)
• A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that allow us to see structures within the brain
• Accidents• Case study analysis of victims
of suffer from a brain injury, resulting in variations in normal behavior
• IE. Phineas Gage
• Lesions• Lesioning is the removal or
destruction of part of the brain.• IE. Lobotomy
Let’s Review• Get the most important idea
worksheet• At your tables come up with
what you think is the most important idea and then 5 supporting ideas
THE BRAIN AND ITS
FUNCTIONS
• Brain Stem• Medulla• Pons• cerebellum• Reticular Formation• Spinal cord
Spinal cord• Connects the brain to the body• Spinal reflexes occur here
Brainstem• The oldest part of the brain• Is responsible for automatic survival
functions• Located where the spinal cord swells
and the brain just begins
Midbrain•The MIDBRAIN is also responsible for behaviors associated with hearing and sight
•Pupil dilation and eyeball movement
PONS• The PONS is responsible for helping to regulate breathing, to help with sleep and wake cycles, and controls facial expressions
Medulla• The base of the brainstem• Controls life-supporting functions like
heartbeat and breathing• Damage to this area can lead to death.
Medulla• The point at which the
spinal cord enters the skull is called the MEDULLA
• The MEDULLA controls heartbeat and breathing, blood pressure, and attention
Cerebellum• Latin for the “little brain”• Located in the rear of the brain• Helps coordinate voluntary movements
and balance• If damaged, the person could perform
basic movements but would lose fine coordination skills.
Reticular formation• The major area of the Midbrain
is the RETICULAR FORMATION
• The RETICULAR FORMATION extends from the spine to the thalamus, and is responsible for arousal/wakefulness and attentiveness
•The MIDBRAIN is also responsible for behaviors associated with hearing and sight
•Pupil dilation and eyeball movement
Okay let’s teach• Time to move• Shake hands with 4 different
people. • Next touch 6 different walls• Stop await instructions
Partner Up• Get a simile summary for the
group of two• You may pick any part of the
hindbrain and make up a simile
• Have fun with this!
• Welcome to the Limbic System
Limbic System• A ring of structures around the
thalamus; at the border of the brainstem and cerebral cortex
• Helps regulate memory, aggression, fear, hunger, and thirst
• Includes the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala
Hypothalamus• Located directly under the front of the
thalamus• Regulates eating, drinking, body
temperature, and the fight or flight reactions to stress
• Plays a role in emotions, pleasure, and sexual function
Pituitary Gland • Master gland• Part of the endocrine system• Regulates all glands within the body
Hippocampus• Wraps around the back of the thalamus• Plays a role in processing new memories
for permanent storage• Looks something like a seahorse
–Hippo is Greek for “horse.”
Amygdala• Two almond shaped structures• Controls emotional responses such as
fear and anger
Thalamus• Sits atop the brainstem• The brain’s sensory switchboard --
directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex
• Thalamus is Greek for “inner chamber.”
Cerebrum / Cerebral Cortex
Cerebrum• Longest part of brain• Two hemispheres• Responsible for voluntary movement,
speech, emotion, memory intelligence and memory processing
Cerebral Cortex• The body’s ultimate control and
information processing center• Covers the brain’s lower level structures• Contains an estimated 30 billion nerve
cells• Divided into four lobes
Frontal Lobes• The portion of the cerebral cortex lying
just behind the forehead• Is involved in making plans and
judgments
Occipital Lobe• The primary visual processing area• Located in the back of the head
Parietal Lobes• Regions available for general
processing, including mathematical reasoning
• Designated as the association lobes• Behind the frontal lobes• Processes taste, smell, and feeling• Motion – motor cortex
Temporal Lobes• Includes the auditory cortex where
sound information is processed• Memories are processed and stored here• Located roughly above the ears
Motor Cortex• Area at the rear of the frontal lobes• Controls voluntary movement• Different parts of the cortex control
different parts of the body.• The motor cortex in the left hemisphere
controls the right side of the body and visa versa.
Somatosensory Cortex• Located in the front of the parietal lobes• Registers and processes body senses• Soma is Greek for “body.”
Hemispheric Differences
Module 8: The Brain
Hemispheric Differences• “Left-brained” and “right-brained”
debunked• Brain is divided into two hemispheres
but works as a single entity.• Both sides continually communicate via
the corpus callous, except in those with split brains.
Hemispheric Differences:
Language and Spatial Abilities
Module 8: The Brain
The Brain’s Left Hemisphere• For most people, language functions are
in the left hemisphere.• For a small percentage of people,
language functions are in the right hemisphere.
Broca’s Area• Located in the frontal lobe and usually
in the left hemisphere• Responsible for the muscle movements
of speech• If damaged the person can form the
ideas but cannot express them as speech
PET Scan of Broca’s Area
Wernicke’s Area• Located in the temporal lobe• Involved in language comprehension
and expression; our ability to understand what is said to us
• Usually in the left temporal lobe
PET Scan of Wernicke’s Area
The Brain’s Right Hemisphere• Houses the brain’s spatial abilities• Our spatial ability allows us to perceive
or organize things in a given space, judge distance, etc.
• Helps in making connections between words
Brain Plasticity
Module 8: The Brain
Plasticity• The ability of the brain tissue to take on
new functions• Greatest in childhood• Important if parts of the brain are
damaged or destroyed
The End