Today is a great day to learn about your BRAIN!!!

Human Brain

How do we know about the brain? EEG- electrical activity CAT- 3D images MRI- radio waves/Hydrogen atom energy PET- chemical activity after injection of radioactive substance

Electroencephalogram (EEG) Works by amplifying the waves of electrical activity across the brain’s surface Poor spatial resolution BUT faster

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan) X-ray photographs  3D representation of the brain More widely available, faster, easier, less expensive than MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) magnetic fields and radio waves  images that allow us to see structures within the brain More expensive, slower, BUT better at soft tissue and less harmful

Position Emission Tomography (PET Scan) detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes during a given task Usually used in combination Also expensive BUT great for determining activity

Case study analysis of brain injuries IE. Phineas GageAccidents

Lesions Lesioning is the removal or destruction of part of the brain. IE. Lobotomy

How do we study the brain? 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

Essential Questions What are the key functions of the brain? What are the parts for responsible?

Just a friendly reminder: Check out the Psych Files ( for an easy way to remember the parts of the brain

Divisions of the Brain

I. The Hindbrain

Hindbrain basic biological functions 3 main parts: –Medulla –Cerebellum –Pons

Hindbrain parts There are three brain areas associated with the Hindbrain (some parts are associated with Brain Stem): –Medulla –Cerebellum –Pons

Hindbrain parts Medulla: breathing, heart rate and blood pressure…vomiting? yuck Cerebellum: coordinates voluntary movements and balance (along with the BASIL GANGLIA) Pons: sleep center (among many other things)

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!

II. The Midbrain

Midbrain located between the hindbrain and the forebrain simple muscle movements with changes in sensory information hearing and sight pupil dilation and eyeball movement

III. The Forebrain

Forebrain thoughts and reason 5 main regions: –Thalamus –Hypothalamus –Hippocampus –Amygdala –The Cerebral Cortex

Limbic System

includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala “emotional brain” –helps regulate memory, aggression, fear, hunger, and thirst

Thalamus receives sensory input from all of the senses except smell routes input to the proper area of the brain for processing –“relay center” controls the electrical currents in the brain

Hypothalamus maintenance activities: eating, drinking, body temperature, and sexual arousal Controls the pituitary gland

Hippocampus memory processing

Amygdala emotions, especially those of aggression, rage, and fear In stressful situations, where teens make some of their decisions

Cerebral Cortex intricate, wrinkled covering of the brain (FISSURES), Covers the brain’s lower level structures ultimate control and information processing center ~ 30 billion nerve cells

Cerebral Cortex In addition to interneurons, it contains GLIAL CELLS –guide neural connections, provide nutrients to myelin, and mop up neurotransmitters

Partner Up Get a simile summary for the group of two You may pick any part of the forebrain and make up a simile Have fun with this!

Cerebral Cortex split into two halves or Hemispheres: –Right Hemisphere –Left Hemisphere The two hemispheres of the brain are connected by the CORPUS CALLOSUM

Hemispheres of the Brain

Contralateral Control

Hemispheres of the Brain Each hemisphere of the brain has different functions. This is called hemispheric specialization.

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

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 The Story of Jodie

Split Brain Procedures What is the role of the corpus callosum? What happens if we cut the corpus callosum?

LET’S LOOK AT THE LOBES!!!!

The Cerebral Cortex is split into four LOBES: –The FRONTAL LOBE –The TEMPORAL LOBE –The PARIETAL LOBE –The OCCIPITAL LOBE

Frontal Lobes just behind the forehead involved in making plans and judgments abstract thought, speaking, muscle movements “Broca’s area”

Temporal Lobes Found near the ears Involved in hearing Memory retrieval

Parietal Lobes behind the frontal lobes general processing, including mathematical reasoning association lobes –synesthesia sensation and motor control

Occipital Lobes Located in the back of the head The primary visual processing area

Freud Tore (his) Pants Off

Motor Cortex At the rear of the frontal lobes Controls voluntary movement –receives messages from the rest of the brain and then sends messages to muscles –contralateral

Somatosensory Cortex Located in the front of the parietal lobes Registers and processes body senses Soma is Greek for “body”