The Human Brain

Tools for Viewing Brain Structure and Activity  EEG Electroencephalogram measures electrical currents across the brain Measure brain activity

Tools for Viewing Brain Structure and Activity  CT scan Also called a CAT scan Computerized axial tomography X-ray of brain tissue Shows brain structure

Tools for Viewing Brain Structure and Activity  PET scan Positron Emissions Tomography Patients drinks radioactive glucose and image shows areas of brain activity.

Tools for Viewing Brain Structure and Activity  MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging Exposes brain to magnetic field Shows brain structure

Tools for Viewing Brain Structure and Activity  fMRI functional MRI Uses magnetic field Not harmful Shows brain structure and activity

Make a Venn Diagram: SHOWS STRUCTURE SHOWS FUNCTION

Types of Neurons  Sensory Neurons – Afferent Neurons Carry the message from the sense organs to the CNS  Interneurons Make up the CNS  Motor Neurons – Efferent Neurons Carry the message from the CNS to the muscles or glands  Remember – SAME (sensory = afferent, motor = efferent)

The Brain  Gray matter – areas of the CNS with high concentrations of cell bodies; outer surface of cerebrum (cerebral cortex)  White matter – areas of the CNS with mostly myelinated axons; inner part of cerebrum  Glial cells – cells in the brain that nourish and protect neurons  10 Facts about the Brain 10 Facts about the Brain

Brain Stem StructureLocationFunction Medullawhere spinal cord meets the skull controls heartbeat and breathing Ponsabove the medullathis also controls involuntary functions. Reticular Formation bundle of nerves running through the brainstem controls arousal; filters irrelevant background information from senses; modulates pain.

Thalamus Pair of egg-shaped organs above the brainstem receives information from the senses (EXCEPT FOR SMELL) and relays it to the rest of the brain.

Cerebellum In the rear of the head, behind the brainstem Controls balance and coordination

Limbic System StructureLocationFunction Amygdalatwo almond shaped structures influence fear and aggression Hypothalamusbelow the thalamus regulates hunger, thirst, body temp, sex, fight-or-flight; triggers the pituitary (the “master gland”); reward center Hippocampusbehind the amygdala memory

Cerebral Cortex Controls information processing; wrinkled to increase surface area Composed of 8 lobes (4 on each side)

Frontal Lobes  Broca’s aphasia Broca’s aphasia  The discovery of Broca's area The discovery of Broca's area motor cortex part of brain that controls voluntary movement) Broca’s area needed for forming words; located in left hemisphere only Association areas in this region – judgment, planning, processing new memories

Parietal Lobes Located on the top and rear of head sensory cortexpart of brain that registers and processes tactile information angular gyrus left hemisphere only) which is involved in converting written words into sound

Occipital Lobes Located in the back of the head Contains the visual cortex

Temporal Lobes Located on the sides of head, above ears Receives and processes auditory information Wernicke’s aphasia Wernicke’s area left hemisphere only) - part of brain involved in understanding language

Corpus Callosum bundle of nerves connecting the left and right hemispheres Brain Story

Name that brain part