1. Introduction to the BRAIN
(And neurons)

2. Brain Brain Dump
On the paper around the room, write what you know about the Brain, the Nervous System, a Neuron, and/or the Endocrine System.
Everyone must write SOMETHING.

3. Preassessment
Thumbs up for TRUE
Thumbs down for FALSE

4. 1.
Plasticity refers to the brain tissues ability to take on new roles when a part of the brain has been damaged.

5. TRUE

6. 2.
If Sammy (age 55) damages the same part of the brain as a Jenny (age 12), Sammy’s brain is more likely to recover faster and take on more roles then Jenny’s brain

7. FALSE

8. 3.
The human brain produces its own natural opiates that elevate mood and ease pain.

9. TRUE

10. We ordinarily use only 10% percent of our brain.4.
We ordinarily use only 10% percent of our brain.

11. FALSE

12. Some people can write but are unable to read.5.
Some people can write but are unable to read.

13. TRUE

14. 6.
Removal of an entire brain hemisphere would necessarily result in a person’s death.

15. FALSE

16. 7.
When looking at human brains, researchers cannot tell the difference between people from different racial backgrounds. (European, American, Asian, African, etc.)

17. TRUE

18. 8.
The central nervous system is a major division of the nervous system and consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

19. TRUE

20. 9.
The pituitary gland is an endocrine gland which secretes hormones that do not affect anything but the sex glands

21. FALSE

22. 10.
The fight or flight response refers to physiological changes such as increased heart rate, accelerated breathing, dry mouth, and perspiration that occur in response to perceived threats or danger.

23. TRUE

24. 11.
The parasympathetic nervous system is a branch of the autonomic nervous system that produces rapid physical arousal in response to perceived emergencies or threats.

25. FALSE

26. 12.
The all or none principle states that a neural message either fires or it doesn’t.

27. TRUE

28. 13.
If you hook an EEG to a blob of jell-o, you will get EEG wave pattern that is almost identical to a human

29. TRUE

30. 14.
When looking at human brains, researches cannot tell the difference between a male and female brain.

31. FALSE

32. 15.
Electrically stimulating a cat’s brain at a certain point can cause the animal to cower in terror in the presence of a small mouse.

33. TRUE

34. We are going to start small and go big

35. Neurons: The Building Blocks of the Nervous System

36. What IS a Neuron?
A small thing in the nervous system that communicates.
Kind of like a cell phone, or maybe even us.
A neuron RECIEVES information, and then GIVES information to the next neuron.

37. The concept of a neuron is simple: It receives information, carries information, and sends information
However, there are fancy words scientists use to label each part of the neuron.

38. This is what a neuron looks like

39. Here’s a different angle. 

40. Let’s start with the beginning…
Information comes to a neuron through the DENDRITES
They’re branchy fibers that receive information

41. There they are.

42. Soma (Cell Body) LIFE GIVING FORCE!
It’s the reason the neuron is alive
Information does not pass through the soma, but without it, the neuron would die. Oh no!

43. Filled with the juice of life.

44. Axons carry the message! It’s the long, skinny part.

45. See?

46. Fatty substance insulating the axon SPEEDS UP the communication
Myelin Sheath
Fatty substance insulating the axon
SPEEDS UP the communication
FAST FAST FAST

48. Axon Terminal SENDS the information away to the new neuron
Contains neurotransmitters

50. STAND UP!
We can become a neuron.

51. Draw and Label
On a sheet of paper (I will give you) DRAW AND LABEL a neuron.
Under each part of the neuron, write its function.
Number each part of the neuron to explain the where the impulse goes (for instance, Dendrites are number 1)
MAKE IT PRETTY. USE COLORS!

52. Neural Communication: The Neural Impulse

53. How do neurons communicate?
Electrical stimulation!
A neural impulse.
An electrical current travels down the axon.

54. Action Potential
Action potentials are created by changing CHARGES inside and outside the neuron
Ions: Some + and some are –
Polarization: there is a difference between charges inside and outside the neuron
Outside is POSITIVE; inside is NEGATIVE

55. Action Potential They want to be equal (CHEMISTRY)
There is excess Sodium outside the neuron
There is excess Potassium inside the neuron
They want to be equal (CHEMISTRY)
Thus, when a neuron is stimulated by another neuron- depolarization occurs.

56. Depolarization
When depolarization occurs, there is EXCITATION because there is a + charge inside the neuron, giving the neuron the stimulus it needs to begin the action potential.

57. Depolarization Demonstration!! 6 people
I will guide you through it once, and then the class will have to guide you through again.

58. All-or-None Law
A neuron either fires, or it doesn’t- there is no half firing.
There is a base amount of excitation that the neuron needs, and if it gets that, it will ALWAYS fire.
Each time it fires, it fires with the same intensity.
If the base number is 30, it will fire the same at 30 , 31, and 500. If it is 29, it will not fire.

59. Refractory Period
After an action potential, there is a certain amount of time that the neuron is unable to fire again. (It needs to recharge!)
Once the refractory period is complete, it can recharge again.

60. Resting Potential
The state of a neuron when it is at rest and capable of generating an action potential
The neuron is set and ready to fire, but does not. It is RESTING.

64. Can anyone think of any other examples that relate to the all-or- nothing?

65. DOMINOES!!!!!
Set up dominoes in groups and complete the sheet.

66. Communication between Neurons
Axon Terminals- Terminal Buttons
Synapse- point of communication between two neurons
Synaptic gap: Neurons do not touch each other, so there is a TINY fluid filled space separating them

68. Neurotransmitters Neurons communicate through neurotransmitters.
They are natural chemicals your brain produces that can affect your mood.
When they are overproduced or under produced, they are involved in many psychological disorders.

70. Acetylcholine (ACh) Enables muscle action, REM sleep, and memory
Undersupply, as ACh-producing neurons deteriorate, marks Alzheimer’s disease

71. Dopamine Reward and Motivation, Motor Control over Voluntary Movements
Excessive dopamine receptor activity is linked to schizophrenia; a lack of dopamine produces the tremors and lack of mobility of Parkinson’s disease

72. Serotonin Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal
Undersupply is linked to depression; Prozac and other anti-depressants raise serotonin levels

73. Norepinephrine Helps to control alertness and arousal
Undersupply can depress mood

74. GABA Muscular movement; inhibition of brain activity
Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia
Anxiety disorders

75. Glutamate Involved in memory
Oversupply can over stimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

76. Endorphins
Natural opiates that are released in response to pain and vigorous exercise

77. Adrenaline Burst of Energy (small amounts in brain)
Epinephrine
Adrenaline Burst of Energy (small amounts in brain)