1. The brain is made up of cells called _______ that are connected to lots of other ________.

2. The brain thinks thoughts by sending _________ across these connections.

3. Your brain performs better by ____ right, _____ well, and embracing ________.

TODAY, LET’S LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW EVERYONE’S BRAIN CHANGES WHEN THEY LEARN!

Review From Last Session

dendritescell body

axon axon transmitters

Parts of a Neuron

• The brain transfers information through connections of neurons.

• When you try new things that are really hard, the brain makes new connections to transfer information better and faster.

• Even if you don’t feel like you’re learning, you’re getting smarter when you’re trying hard.

How the Brain Learns

Your brain is like a muscle!

It grows through effort and challenging exercise.

The Brain Muscle

Remarkable Rats

• Twin rats• Cage with just food

and water

• Twin rats• Cage with puzzles,

exercise equipment, etc.

• Better at learning• 10% heavier brains!

• Isolated group of guerrilla fighters – living in the jungle.

• Taught some of them to read and write.

• The ones who were taught actually had bigger brains.

Review: Guerilla Fighters Study

Scientists measured the hippocampus of London cabbies…The cabbies’ hippocampus was bigger:• The longer they were on the job• The bigger this area grew.

Cabbies Study

A man lost his frontal lobe…• Became an impatient and emotional man• Over time, he was able to become patient and calm

Phineas Gage