The Brain – Structure and Function

CNS - The Brain and Spinal Cord Acts as a coordinating center for the nervous system The brain is protected by a protective membrane known as the meninges The outer membrane is the dura mater The middle layer is the arachnoid The inner layer is the pia mater Cerebrospinal fluid circulates between the inner most layers and middle layers of the meninges and through the central canal of the spinal chord The cerebrospinal fluid acts as both a shock absorber and a transport medium

The Spinal Cord Carries sensory nerve messages from the receptors to the brain and back to the motor neurons The spinal cord emerges through a hole in the skull called the foramen magnum and extends downward through the backbone Contains both gray matter and white matter The dorsal nerve tract brings information to the CNS and brain The ventral nerve tract brings information from the CNS to the motor neurons

Structures of the Brain Olfactory Lobes Cerebrum Cerebral Cortex Corpus Callosum Cerebellum Thalamus and Hypothalamus Pons Medulla Oblongata 30/teacher/protect/otr/Bio2030OTR/attachments /i_AnimationSimulation/sagittal_brain.html

Structures of the Brain

Olfactory Lobes Centers that receive information about smell

Cerebrum Two hemispheres that act as the coordinating center for sensory and motor activity Speech, reasoning, memory and personality reside in the cerebrum (all mammals have a highly developed cerebrum)

Cerebral Cortex The surface of the cerebrum Composed of gray matter Has many folds (Fissures) to increase surface area Information differs between the two hemispheres (right brain vs. left brain) Right and Left hemispheres RIGHT = visual, spatial awareness, intuitive LEFT = language, logical, sequential thought, verbal skills Can be divided into four lobes

Phineas Gage Story (6 min) 9FD746D3B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9 9FD746D3B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9

Four lobes of the Cerebral Cortex Frontal Lobe: Motor control (walking, speech) Conscious thought Inhibition of behavior Intelligence Memory personality Temporal Lobe: Associated with vision, hearing and memory Parietal Lobe: Touch and temperature awareness Linked to emotions and interpreting speech Pain interpretation Body position or orientation Occipital Lobe: Sensory organs associated with sight

Corpus Callosum Allows communication between the left and right hemispheres Joe – Split Brain (5 min)

Occipital Lobe (1 min) &feature=related &feature=related Frontal and Temporal Lobe (6 min) Drugs and the Brain (5 min) 4N2Qfs0&NR=1

Cerebellum Located directly below the cerebrum Largest section of hind brain Controls limb movements/coordination, balance and muscle tone Fine and voluntary motor skills

Thalamus and Hypothalamus Thalamus interprets and coordinates sensory information DIRECTS INCOMING INFO TO APPROPRIATE AREAS OF THE BRAIN Hypothalamus coordinates activities between the nervous system and the endocrine system

Pons Helps coordinate information passing between the two regions of the cerebellum and the cerebellum and medulla oblongata

Medulla Oblongata The posterior region, also known as the hind brain Contains the nerve tract that runs from the higher brain centers to the spinal cord Helps regulate involuntary muscle actions Pupil dilation

Brain Games

Occipital Lobe - Sight

Pons and Corpus Callosum – two half coordination

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The Boy with the Incredible Brain ( 1min)

Kim Peek – The Real Rain Man (11 min) The Boy With the Incredible Brain- 2/5 (10 min) Daniel and Dane The Boy With the Incredible Brain (8 min)