Your Brain The Adult Human brain l Neurons

Your Brain

The Adult Human brain l Neurons = brain cells that regulate all our thinking l There are 100+ billion neurons in the brain l Neurons communicate with each other when electrical impulses fire chemicals (neurotransmitters) across spaces called synapses l About 500 trillion synapses all over our brain

Parts of a Neuron Cell Body l Axon l Dendrite l Synapse l

Cell Body (Red) The cell body contains all the DNA/genetic information for the cell. The cell body forms the message and interprets messages.

Axon and Terminals (PURPLE) l Axons act like a telephone wire, sending information to other neurons. l Axons vary in length; some can be up to 3 feet long. l Mature axons are covered with an insulated coating, that looks like sausage links, called myelin.

Dendrites and Spines (GREEN) l Neurons have tiny branches called dendrites (means “little tree”). l Dendrites receive information similar to an antenna. l The number of dendrites on a neuron varies from a few hundred to thousands.

Synaptic Gap (YELLOW) l Neurons don’t actually touch – there is a tiny space between them – called the “synaptic gap” or “synapse” l Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers which are released into the gap. These chemicals carry messages around the brain.

Now for the coloring…. l Turn to the diagram l Colors Needed – Red, Green, Purple, Yellow

Color the Cell Body RED

Color the Axon and terminals PURPLE

Color the Dendrites GREEN

Color the Synaptic Gap YELLOW

How neurons transmit information l The axon sends a message through a series of electrical impulses. l When the impulses reach the end of the axon, a chemical messenger is stimulated and it carries the message to another brain cell. l A single neuron can fire up to 50, 000 times a minute if necessary!

When each part of the brain matures © Early childhood: brain stem cerebellum sensory cortex © Puberty: limbic system © Late adolescence: prefrontal cortex

Survival Brain (brain stem) Safety and survival © “Autonomic” nervous system – this means the involuntary stuff that happens in out bodies heart beat, breathing etc… © Subconscious mind - the thoughts we have without even knowing it… © Autopilot; the behaviors we do without even thinking about them… © Reflexes - freeze/flight/fight response etc…

Feeling Brain (limbic system) The Pleasure Center Limbic System © subconscious mind – those things we don’t even know we are thinking, not even aware of this…. © sends and receives emotional signals – emotions are your brain’s way of telling you something © pleasure/pain response © long-term memory and learning

Chief Executive Officer (prefrontal cortex) © © “The BOSS” imagination conscious mind – what you know you are thinking about purposely – you are aware of © © higher-level thinking attention and concentration short-term memory emotional regulation – helps you balance out the emotions you are feeling

Chief Executive Officer (prefrontal cortex) The prefrontal cortex acts as the Chief Executive Officer of the entire system and regulates how we think, feel and behave.

l full demo sheep brain - You. Tube

Decision Making and The Brain Because the prefrontal cortex isn’t all the way developed during adolescence, it is really important to put some conscious effort into making good decisions. l Otherwise, your decision TEND to be based on Emotion – from your Limbinc System l

Here is a GREAT STRATEGY!! THE DECIDE METHOD l Define the problem l Explore the Alternatives l Consider the consequences l Identify your values l Decide and Act l Evaluate the Results

DEFINE THE PROBLEM l State the issue clearly. EXPLORE THE ALTERNATIVES n Make a list of all possible options for solving your problem- think of at least 4

CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES l For each option listed above-think through what might happen if you were to choose each alternative you have listed. Include both the positive and the negative results. IDENTIFY YOUR VALUES n What are things that you believe in strongly. Which choice is most in line with your values.

DECIDE AND ACT l Decide which one is best for you. Act on your decision. EVALUATE YOUR RESULTS n How did your decision work out? How has it affected your life and others? What did you learn? If you could do it all over again, would you do it differently?

Think of two problems or decisions you have had in your life – or make some up – and do the following…. Solve one problem with a partner – complete the problem solving worksheet using the decide method. Turn in. l HOMEWORK: Solve one problem on your own. l Turn in tomorrow l