1. A Guided Tour of the Brain
Minnie Greer
Cassidy Boyce
Deanna Hammett
Diana Padilla
Jessica Chappell

2. Table of Contents Studying of the Brain The Developing Brain
Neurogenesis
The Brainstem
The Hindbrain
The Midbrain
The Forebrain
Cerebral Cortex
Lobes of the Brain
The Limbic System
Structures

3. Studying of the Brain
One early approach to mapping brain functions involved examining the bumps on a person’s skull.
Case studies of individuals with brain damage have provided valuable insights into behavior in such area as memory, speech, emotion, movement, and personality.
Lesions- surgically altering, removing, or destroying specific portions of the brain
In humans, lesions are produced for medical reasons, such as when part of the brain is surgically altered or removed to relieve uncontrollable seizures
Electroencephalograph- allowed scientists to record the brain’s electrical activity through the use of large, disk-shaped electrodes placed harmlessly on a person’s scalp 

4. The Developing Brain
By three weeks after conception, a sheet of primal neural cells has formed. This sheet curls to form the hollow neural tube.
The neural stem cells divide and multiply, creating specific cells that eventually produce neurons and glial cells.
As the neural tube expands, the cavities develop, called the ventricles.
During peak periods in the brain development, new neurons are being generated rapidly.
Triggered by chemical signals, the new neurons travel to specific locations. 

5. The Developing Brain -Neurogenesis
For many years, it was thought that the mature brain could lose neurons, but not grow new ones.
But new studies showed that the hippocampus, a brain structure that plays a vital role in forming new memories, has the ability to generate new neurons throughout the lifespan.
Studies since this discovery have shown that stress, exercise, environmental complexity, and social status have been shown to affect the rate of neurogenesis in rats, birds, and monkeys.
But it is unknown if these findings can be applied to the human brain. 

6. The Brainstem Includes the hindbrain and midbrain Hindbrain: Midbrain:
Located at the base of the brain
Hindbrain:
A region at the base of the brain that contains several structures that regulate basic life functions
Midbrain:
The middle and smallest brain region, involved in processing auditory and visual sensory information 

7. The Brainstem -The Hindbrain
Connected to the spinal cord with the rest of the brain
Made up of three structures
Medulla: Lies directly above the spinal cord; contains centers active in control of breathing, heart rate, and digestion; also controls swallowing, coughing, vomiting, and sneezing
Pons: swelling of tissue; relay information from various other brain regions to the cerebellum
Cerebellum: controls balance, muscle tone, and coordinated muscle movements; affected by alcohol consumption 

8. The Brainstem -The Midbrain
Relay station that contains centers important to the processing of auditory and visual sensory information
Process auditory sensations from the left and right ears
Helps you visually locate objects and track their movements
Substantia nigra: in midbrain; contains a large concentration of dopamine-producing neurons 

9. The Forebrain -Cerebral Cortex
Cerebral Cortex: outer portion of forebrain
Only a quarter an inch thick
Mainly composed of glial cells and neuron cell bodies and axons
Gray matter (in reference to color)
White matter consists of myelinated axons that connect cerebral cortex to other brain regions
Divided into two cerebral hemispheres connected by corpus callosum
Cerebral hemispheres are then divided into four lobes
Temporal, occipital, parietal and frontal lobes 

10. The Forebrain -The Cerebral Cortex (lobes of the brain)
Temporal Lobe
Contains primary auditory cortex
Occipital Lobe
Contains primary visual cortex
Parietal Lobe
Involved in somatosensory information (somatosensory cortex)
Frontal lobe
Largest lobe
Primary motor cortex
Involved in planning, initiating, and executing voluntary movements
Association Areas
Located on all lobes
Combine sensory and motor information
Coordinate interaction among different brain areas 

11. The Forebrain -The Limbic System
Limbic System: structures that form a border around brainstem and are involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory.
Plays a critical role in learning, memory, and emotional control 

12. The Forebrain -The Limbic System (structures)
Hypothalamus
Regulates behaviors related to survival
Eating, drinking, and sexual activity
Often referred to as “the brain within the brain”
Controls secretion of endocrine hormones
Influences anterior and posterior pituitary glands
Amygdala
Clump of neuron cell bodies at the base of temporal lobe
Involved in emotion and memory 