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- 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

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

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.”

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 callosum, 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.

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

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

Corpus callosum