Understanding the Brain The Brain Song

The Brain Q & A T/F- People use only 10% of their brain. T/F- People with larger brains are more intelligence. T/F- The brain gets better with use.

The Nervous System Autonomic Somatic (involuntary) (voluntary) Central Nervous System & Peripheral Nervous System (brain & spinal cord) (nerves, organs, muscles) Autonomic Somatic (involuntary) (voluntary) Sympathetic Parasympathetic (arouses body) (calms body)

Ways to Measure the Brain EEG CAT (CT) Scan MRI Scan PET Scan

Electroencephalograph (EEG) Monitors the electrical activity of the brain- brain waves Used in clinical diagnosis of various neurological disorders

Brain Imaging- CAT Scan X-ray beam moves all around the patient, scanning from hundreds of different angles. Portrays only brain structure. Used to diagnose a wide variety of ailments (head trauma, cancer, tumors).

Brain Imaging- PET Scan examine brain function monitor chemical processes such as neurotransmitters Person receives an injection of radioactive substance

Brain Imaging- MRI Similar to CAT scan but better picture due to higher resolution Uses radio waves to capture picture of the brain The energy released by different structures generates an image on a computer screen.

MRI Machine

3 Main Regions of the Brain

Three Main Regions of the Brain Hindbrain- lower part of brain stem 1. cerebellum 2. pons 3. medulla

Three Main Regions of the Brain Midbrain- upper brainstem (reticular formation)

Three Main Regions of the Brain Forebrain- largest & most complex limbic system (4. Thalamus, 5. Hypothalamus, 6.Amygdala, 7. Hippocampus) at the center cerebral cortex & lobes can be seen externally

Cerebral Cortex - layer of cells covering the surface of the brain. It’s divided into 4 Lobes

Frontal Lobe Prefrontal Cortex Personality- how we behave in social settings, impulse control Plans & decision making Motor cortex- controls all voluntary movements

Phineas Gage example of prefrontal cortex damage

Phineas Gage- example of prefrontal cortex damage

Parietal Lobe- Process info from body parts Somatosensory Cortex- sense of touch Sense of touch, feeling temperature & pain Phantom Limb syndrome

Temporal Lobe Involves hearing, speaking, understanding written & verbal words

Occipital Lobe Processes visual information Blind sight