2. Our Divided Brain Corpus Callosum largest bundle of neural fibers
connects the two brain hemispheres
carries messages between the hemispheres enabling coordinated brain activity
Each hemisphere is connected to one-half of the body in a crisscrossed fashion
Corpus callosum

3. Our Divided Brain
The information highway from the eyes to the brain

4. Split Brain
a condition in which the two hemispheres of the brain are isolated by cutting the connecting fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum) between them

5. Split Brain or

6. Ways to study the Brain!!!
Accidents: damage to brain regions can tell us about their functions
Phineas Gage.

7. Lesions: tissue destruction
Cutting into the brain and looking for change.
Brain tumors also lesion brain tissue.
Did you know? Nazis used to lesion the brains of Jews during experiments to see how their behavior would change. We know much of what we do today about the brain because of these experiments…

8. Less Invasive ways to study the Brain
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT)
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Functional MRI

9. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Electrodes placed on the scalp create an amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface

10. CT scan CT (computed tomography) Scan
a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body; also called CAT scan

11. PET Scan PET (positron emission tomography) Scan
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

12. MRI Scan (f)MRI – (functional) magnetic resonance imaging
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain
MRI scan of a healthy individual (left) and a person with schizophrenia (right) Note the enlarged fluid - filled brain region in the image on the right.

13. Plasticity
The ability for our brains to form new connections after the neurons are damaged.
The younger you are, the more plastic your brain is.

14. Neural Networks
Neural networks: connected neurons; increases speed and efficiency of communication
Did you know? Synapses are less than a millionth of an inch wide!!

15. Brain Restoration Glial Cells
Cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons
Neurons are like queen bees; on their own they cannot feed or sheathe themselves, glial cells are worker bees that provide for the neuron

16. Language and the Brain Aphasia
impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca’s area (impaired speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impaired understanding)

17. Language and the Brain Broca’s Area
an area of the left frontal lobe that directs the muscle movements involved in speech
BROKEN SPEECH (often telegraphic speech) Clip

18. Language and the Brain Wernicke’s Area
an area of the left temporal lobe involved in language comprehension and expression
MEANINGLESS WORDS Clip

19. Is this caused by damage to Broca’s area or Wernicke’s area?:
”Mother is away her working her work to get her better, but when she’s looking the two boys looking the other part. She’s working another time.” - ___________

20. Is this caused by damage to Broca’s area or Wernicke’s area?:
”To be…. but… long time…. if…. allowed to…not…. today.” - ___________

21. Specialization and Integration

22. The Endocrine System Endocrine System
a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
the body’s “slow” chemical communication system
Snail mail (ES) vs. (NS)

23. Endocrine System Pituitary Gland – the “master” gland
under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands

24. Pituitary Gland Controls all other endocrine glands Regulates growth
The MASTER gland
Regulates growth
Overactive during infancy  gigantism
Underactive  Dwarfs

25. Tallest Man: Robert Pershing Waldow: 8 ft, 11
Tallest Man: Robert Pershing Waldow: 8 ft, 11.1 inches Tallest Woman: Sandy Allen: 7ft, 7 inches

26. Endocrine System Hormones
chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
Can influence our interest in sex, food, and aggression
Testosterone and Estrogen

27. Endocrine System Adrenal Glands
secrete adrenaline to arouse body in times of stress

28. Adrenal Glands Pancreas Two parts, two hormones produced
Adrenalin  fight or flight
Cortisone  fights infection, prepares for long term muscular activity
Pancreas
Regulates glucose levels (insulin)
Too little insulin = diabetes
Blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, amputation of limbs

29. Thyroid Two lobed, bowtie shaped Thyroxine  effects metabolism
Converts food into energy
If metabolizes slowly may lead to mental retardation
Hypothyroidism  overweight
Hyperthyroidism  excitable, inability to sleep, too thin

30. Goiters are enlargement of the thyroid gland
Deficient in iodine
Swelling caused by cysts
Cretinism  underactive thyroid in infancy
Skeletal growth and brain development affected
Lack of iodine in prenatal period
Typical appearance is coarse skin, puffy face, large tongue, slow responses (mental retardation usually)

31. Crash Course: The Endocrine System