Read “Brain Basics” In your journal, take notes by writing the name of each subheading and 1-2 sentences summarizing what you learned in that section of the text. Include diagrams and sketches to help you remember what things look like! Answer the following question – Do you think it is possible to trick your brain? Support your claim with evidence.

Stroop Effect Click this picture on the Class of 2015 tab of the class website. Or go to http://mszimmerman.weebly.com/stroop-effect.html Follow the directions step-by-step to perform the experiment. READ ALL THE INFORMATION AS YOU WORK! Each step has 4 picture options. Each member of your group should choose just one to try. You can repeat pictures. Name the color of the word, not what the word says. If you saw Blue you would say red.

The biggest part of the brain is the cerebrum The biggest part of the brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum is the outer, wrinkled part which makes up 85% of the brain's weight and is the thinking part of the brain. It controls your voluntary muscles — the ones that move when you want them to. When you're thinking hard, you're using your cerebrum. Your memory also lives in the cerebrum — both short-term memory (what you ate for dinner last night) and long-term memory (the name of that roller-coaster you rode on two summers ago). The size of this part of the brain is what separates us from other animals.

How does this connect to our experiment? The cerebrum has two halves, with one on either side of the head. Scientists think that the right half helps you think about abstract things like music, colors, and shapes. The left half is said to be more analytical, helping you with math, logic, and speech. Scientists do know for sure that the right half of the cerebrum controls the left side of your body, and the left half controls the right side. How does this connect to our experiment?

Next up is the cerebellum Next up is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is at the back of the brain, below the cerebrum. It's a lot smaller than the cerebrum at only 1/8 of its size. But it's a very important part of the brain. It controls balance, movement, and coordination (how your muscles work together). Why does it make sense that a dolphin’s cerebellum is so much larger than ours?

Another brain part that's small but mighty is the brain stem Another brain part that's small but mighty is the brain stem. The brain stem sits beneath the cerebrum and in front of the cerebellum. It connects the rest of the brain to the spinal cord, which runs down your neck and back. The brain stem is in charge of all the basic functions your body needs to stay alive, like breathing air, digesting food, and circulating blood.

The thalamus is located at the top of the brain stem, which is close to the center of the brain. The human thalamus can be divided into two pear-shaped halves. The thalamus is often referred to as the "relay station" of the brain. This is because the thalamus has a primary function of relaying information to other parts of the body. The thalamus is a very important part of the brain and human body and it controls factors such as sleeping, waking, and complex motor skills – such as walking. If the thalamus becomes impaired due to a head injury, illness or other trauma, it can result in the person entering a coma.

Day 2

Read “I’m Sensing Something” In your journal, take notes by writing the name of each subheading and 1-2 sentences summarizing what you learned in that section of the text. Read “The Nerve Cell” and answer the questions. Staple both articles in your science journal.

The nervous system is a complex structure of nerves of neurons that transmit signals around the body to coordinate actions. It is in effect our body's electrical wiring. The nervous system of vertebrates (which includes humans and animals that have backbones and spinal columns) has two parts, the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. The brain is protected by the skull, and the spinal cord by the skeletal vertebrae. The PNS includes all other nervous system structures that sit outside the CNS but that help connect the CNS to areas of the body.

Nerves are enclosed bundles of long fibers called axons which are made up of nerve cells called neurons. Neurons quickly and precisely send signals as electrochemical waves along axons to other cells. There are two types of neurons, sensory neurons and motor neurons. Sensory neurons change light, touch and sound into neural signals which are sent back to our CNS to help our body understand and react to its surroundings. Motor neurons transmit neural signals to activate muscles

There are approximately 100 billion neurons in the human brain and 13 There are approximately 100 billion neurons in the human brain and 13.5 million neurons in the human spinal chord. The nervous system can transmit signals at speeds of 100 meters (328 feet) per second. Nerves in our body can be vulnerable to both physical damage and damage through diseases. Damage to nerves can cause great pain, loss of feeling, or loss of muscle control.

Finish adding muscles to your body model. (pg. 6) Add nerves to the side without muscle. (pg 14) Carefully cut along the lines of 3 sides of your model’s cranium so that a flap can be folded open. DO NOT CUT OFF YOUR MODEL’S HEAD!!!!!!! Fold your paper in half so that blank paper can be seen when you open the “head flap”. Draw & color the brain inside the head. Label the cerebrum, cerebellum, & brainstem.