Today is a great day to learn about
Today is a great day to learn about your BRAIN!!!
Human Brain
How do we know about the brain? • EEG- electrical activity of brain • CAT- 3 D 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
I. The Hindbrain
• The hindbrain is the oldest and innermost region of the brain
Hindbrain • The functions of the hindbrain are mostly done outside of our awareness, and occur without any conscious effort.
Functions • The functions of the hindbrain control basic biological functions that keep the human body alive.
Hindbrain parts • There are three brain areas associated with the Hindbrain (some parts are associated with Brain Stem): –Medulla –Cerebellum –Pons
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 • Extending from the rear of the brainstem is the CEREBELLUM • The CEREBELLUM coordinates voluntary movements and balance (along with the BASIL GANGLIA)
PONS • The PONS is responsible for helping to regulate breathing, to help with sleep and wake cycles, and controls facial expressions
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!
THE MIDBRAIN
II. The Midbrain • The Midbrain is located between the hindbrain and the forebrain • This area is responsible for coordinating simple muscle movements with changes in sensory information
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
MIDBRAIN • The MIDBRAIN is also responsible for behaviors associated with hearing and sight • Pupil dilation and eyeball movement
THE FOREBRAIN
III. The Forebrain • Areas of the forebrain control thought and reason. • There are five main regions of the forebrain to study: – Thalamus – Hypothalamus – Amygdala – Hippocampus – The Cerebral Cortex
Thalamus • On top of the hindbrain is the THALAMUS • The THALAMUS receives sensory input from all of the senses except smell, and routes it to the proper area of the brain for processing • The THALAMUS also helps to control the electrical currents in the brain
Hypothalamus • The HYPOTHALAMUS is responsible for several maintenance activities, including eating, drinking, body temperature, and sexual arousal
Hypothalamus • It does this by controlling the pituitary gland that releases hormones into the bloodstream
Hippocampus • The HIPPOCAMPUS is essential to memory processing
Amygdala • The AMYGDALA is tied to emotions, especially those of aggression, rage, and fear • In stressful situations, where teens make some of their decisions
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
Get the important ideas form • Look at the forebrain and go over the most important ideas • Assign a job description to each part
Cerebral Cortex
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
Glial Cells • The CEREBRAL CORTEX is the intricate, wrinkled covering of the brain (FISSURES) • In addition to interneurons, it contains GLIAL CELLS, which guide neural connections, provide nutrients to myelin, and mop up neurotransmitters
• The Cerebral Cortex is split into two halves, or Hemispheres: –Right Hemisphere –Left Hemisphere
Corpus callosum • The two hemispheres of the brain are connected by the CORPUS CALLOSUM
Hemispheres of the Brain
• Each hemisphere of the brain has different functions. This is called hemispheric specialization.
LET’S LOOK AT THE LOBES!!!!
• The Cerebral Cortex is split into four LOBES, with half of each one on the left, and half of each one on the right: –The FRONTAL LOBE –The PARIETAL LOBE –The OCCIPITAL LOBE –The TEMPORAL LOBE
Frontal Lobes • The portion of the cerebral cortex lying just behind the forehead • Is involved in making plans and judgments • abstract thought, speaking, muscle movements
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 • Found near the ears • Involved in hearing • Memory retrieval
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.
Motor Cortex • The motor cortex receives messages from the rest of the brain and then sends messages back to the muscles of the body in order to control voluntary movements.
Somatosensory Cortex • Located in the front of the parietal lobes • Registers and processes body senses • Soma is Greek for “body. ”
Module 8: The Brain Hemispheric Differences
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 callosum, except in those with split brains.
Module 8: The Brain Hemispheric Differences: Language and Spatial Abilities
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.
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
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
Module 8: The Brain Plasticity
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
Corpus callosum
- Slides: 110