Braintastic! A Stiles Original Production As you might imagine, larger animals have larger brains. However, this does not mean that animals with larger brains are smarter than animals with smaller brains. For example, a larger brain is necessary to control larger muscles in larger animals and a larger brain is necessary to process more sensory information from the skin in larger animals - this has nothing to do with intelligence. Possible human ancestor lived 3 million years ago.. Female, little under 4 feet, apelike head, protruding jaw, uneven teeth, Skull held brain roughly 1/3 the size of modern day humans 1/2 million years ago…Homo erectus (man, upright) brain size doubled that of Lucy’s. HomoSapien: Wise Human Our species began about 400,000 years ago. Two possible explanations for brain size change. Accidental changes in gentic instructions and natural selection which means that only those best fitted to their environments will survive. Braintastic! A Stiles Original Production

Pseudoscience-based on false assumptions. Just as I Thought, low self esteem Why can’t my skull bumps be prettier? Phrenology Franz Gall-(1758-1828) A fan of use it or lose it Why so popular? Individual ability to change and develop Improved treatment of the insane Encouraged people to think scientifically These bumps and indentations on the skull, according to Gall, reflect specific areas of the brain that determine a person's emotional and intellectual functions. Gall called the study of these cranial hills and valleys "cranioscopy." It is difficult to explain the early popularity of phrenology among scientists, since the empirical evidence for a direct relationship between the brain and character was scant. An unplanned experiment provided some solid evidence for such a relationship in 1848 when Phineas Gage's moral character changed dramatically after an explosion blew a tamping iron through his head Pseudoscience-based on false assumptions.

Nervous System The electrochemical communication system of the body Sends messages from the brain to the body for movement Brings information to the brain from the sense receptors

Neuron A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system Neurons perform three basic tasks Receive, Carry, and Pass information on to the next neuron.

Parts of the Neuron

Parts of the Neuron - Dendrites Dendrite – The branching extensions of a neuron that receive information and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Parts of the Neuron - Soma Soma – The cell body of a neuron, which contains the nucleus and other parts that keep the cell healthy

Parts of the Neuron - Axon Axon – The extension of a neuron through which neural impulses are sent

Parts of the Neuron – Myelin Sheath

Parts of the Neuron - Terminals Axon terminals – The endpoint of a neuron where neurotransmitters are stored

It’s time for the Neuron Dance! Go to the hallway you naughty neurons!!

How Neurons Communicate: The Neural Impulse How Neurons Communicate:

Phases of Communication

All-or-None Principle The principle stating that if a neuron fires it always fires at the same intensity All action potentials are of the same strength. A neuron does NOT fire at 30%, 45% or 90% but at 100% each time it fires.

What time is it? Time for something fun, but still related. Thresholds Subliminal Messages & Backmasking

Communication Between Neurons How Neurons Communicate:

Neurotransmitters

Excitatory Effect A neurotransmitter effect that makes it more likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential or “fire” The second neuron is more likely to fire.

Inhibitory Effect A neurotransmitter effect that makes it less likely that the receiving neuron will generate an action potential or “fire” The second neuron is less likely to fire.

How Neurons Communicate: The Neural Chain Module 6: The Nervous System and the Endocrine System

A Neural Chain