SMARTER UK – RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS Please feel free to use this PowerPoint presentation in the classroom. It is intended to support the KS3 & KS4 curriculum and the Scottish S3-S4 curriculum. KEY LEARNING: How we know how the brain works; from historical study to the use of contemporary technology, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Specific curriculum areas include: KS3 Science Unit 1.2 Applications and implications of science a) exploring how the creative application of scientific ideas can bring about technological developments and consequent changes in the way people think and behave Unit 4 Curriculum opportunities h) explore contemporary and historical scientific developments and how they have been communicated KS4 science How science works Applications and implications of science Pupils should be taught: a)about the use of contemporary scientific and technological developments and their benefits, drawbacks and risks c) how uncertainties in scientific knowledge and scientific ideas change over time and about the role of the scientific community in validating these changes. Scottish S3-S4 science Biological Systems - Body systems and Cells SCN 3-12b I have explored the role of technology in monitoring heath and improving the quality of life Topical Science SCN 3-20a I have collaborated with others to find and present information on how scientists from Scotland and beyond have contributed to innovative research and development SCN 4-20a I have researched new developments in science and can explain how their current of future applications might impact on modern life.

Studying the brain How do we know how it works?

Smarter UK Credit: Mark Lythgoe & Chloe Hutton, Wellcome Images different regions have different functions Cerebral cortex Functions include: planning; reasoning; language; recognising sounds and images; memory. Corpus callosum connects the brain’s right and left hemispheres Cerebellum important for coordination, precision and timing of movement Brain stem regulates heart rate, breathing, sleep cycles and emotions The brain

Smarter UK Cerebral cortex Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images B motor cortex sensory cortex taste smell hearing reading speech vision speech different regions have different functions How do we know?

Smarter UK Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images B motor cortex sensory cortex taste smell hearing reading speech vision speech In 1848, Phineas Gage (an American railroad construction foreman) accidentally fired a tamping iron (a large iron rod) through his head. Amazingly, he survived, but the injury dramatically changed his personality through studying people with brain damage

Smarter UK Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images B motor cortex sensory cortex taste smell hearing reading speech vision speech The French physician Paul Broca was very interested in speech In 1861, Broca had a patient nick-named Tan, because “tan” was all he could say. After Tan died, Broca examined his brain and found a big lesion He realised the location of this lesion was a part of the brain important for speech. The region is known as Broca’s area through studying people with brain damage

Smarter UK Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images B motor cortex sensory cortex taste smell hearing reading speech vision speech B Credit Mark Lythgoe & Chloe Hutton, Wellcome Images B Credit Mark Lythgoe & Chloe Hutton, Wellcome Images Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MRI can measure blood-flow changes in the brain. The active areas ‘light up’ MRI showing areas used for recognising faces MRI showing the visual cortex through the use of imaging technology

Smarter UK Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images motor cortex sensory cortex taste smell hearing reading speech vision speech TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) Eric Wassermann, National Institute of Health A very powerful magnet placed on the skull disrupts the brain signals in a very localised area for a very short time This can be used to find out which areas of the brain are important for which tasks. TMS is also being tested for treatment of severe depression If someone reciting a nursery rhyme has TMS on their left Broca’s area, they will stutter and stumble (but they will still be able to sing the rhyme as singing is controlled by the area on the other side) through the use of imaging technology