Unit 2 The Brain pp

Do-Now (In Journal) Why is it important to learn about the brain when studying Psychology? Why is it important to learn about the brain when studying Psychology? What roles does it play in human thought and behavior? What roles does it play in human thought and behavior? What are some ways that neuroscientists monitor brain activity? What are some ways that neuroscientists monitor brain activity?

Monitoring the Brain: Lesions Lesion: Lesion: Tissue destruction Tissue destruction Naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue Naturally or experimentally caused destruction of brain tissue

Monitoring the Brain: Lesions How can lesions in the brain help neuroscientists better understand neural activity?

Monitoring the Brain: Recording Electrical Activity E.E.G. (Electroencephalogram): E.E.G. (Electroencephalogram): Amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brains surface Amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brains surface Measured electrodes placed on the scalp Measured electrodes placed on the scalp

Monitoring the Brain: Neuroimaging Techniques C.T. (Computed Tomography) Scan: C.T. (Computed Tomography) Scan: X-ray photos taken from different angles. combined through computers into a composite representation X-ray photos taken from different angles. combined through computers into a composite representation Reveals brain damage Reveals brain damage “CAT” Scan “CAT” Scan P.E.T. (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan: P.E.T. (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan: Visual display of brain activity Visual display of brain activity Detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task Detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

Neuroimaging Techniques: P.E.T. Scan

Video Clip: P.E.T. Scan How do neuroscientists use P.E.T. Scans to determine the neural activity of language? How do neuroscientists use P.E.T. Scans to determine the neural activity of language? What is the role of radioactive glucose? What is the role of radioactive glucose?

Monitoring the Brain: Neuroimaging Techniques M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue Displays brain anatomy Displays brain anatomy f.M.R.I. (Functional M.R.I.): f.M.R.I. (Functional M.R.I.): Reveals brain activity and blood flow by comparing successive M.R.I. scans Reveals brain activity and blood flow by comparing successive M.R.I. scans Displays brain function Displays brain function

Monitoring the Brain: Comparing M.R.I. Scans MRI scan of a healthy individual (left) and a person with schizophrenia (right)

Video Clip: f.M.R.I. What is the difference between a M.R.I. and a f.M.R.I. Scan? What is the difference between a M.R.I. and a f.M.R.I. Scan? How do f.M.R.I. Scans display the functions of the brain? How do f.M.R.I. Scans display the functions of the brain?

Review Differentiate between the following methods of measuring brain activity: Differentiate between the following methods of measuring brain activity: E.E.G. (Electroencephalogram) E.E.G. (Electroencephalogram) C.T. (Computed Tomography) Scan C.T. (Computed Tomography) Scan P.E.T. (Position Emission Tomography) Scan P.E.T. (Position Emission Tomography) Scan M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) f.M.R.I. (Functional M.R.I.) f.M.R.I. (Functional M.R.I.)

The Brain Brain-to-Body Weight Ratios of Living Organisms: Brain-to-Body Weight Ratios of Living Organisms: Dinosaurs: Dinosaurs: 1/10,000th 1/10,000th Elephants: Elephants: 1/600th 1/600th Mice: Mice: 1/40th 1/40th Marmosets: Marmosets: 1/25th 1/25th

The Brain Other than size, what else determines a species’ intelligence?

Older Brain Structures: The Brainstem The complexities of brain structures serve as indicators of a species’ intellectual capacitieBrainstem: The complexities of brain structures serve as indicators of a species’ intellectual capacitieBrainstem: Oldest part and central core of the brain Oldest part and central core of the brain Beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull Beginning where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull Function: Function: Automatic survival functions Automatic survival functions

Older Brain Structures: The Brainstem Medulla: Medulla: Base of the brainstem Base of the brainstem Functions: Functions: Controls heartbeat Controls heartbeat Controls breathing Controls breathing Pons: Pons: Located above the medulla Located above the medulla Function: Function: Coordinates movement Coordinates movement Reticular Formation: Reticular Formation: A nerve network in the brainstem A nerve network in the brainstem Function: Function: Controlling arousal Controlling arousal

Older Brain Structures: The Brainstem What types of automatic survival functions are controlled by the brainstem? What types of automatic survival functions are controlled by the brainstem? How do the medulla and reticular formation interact with the autonomic nervous system? How do the medulla and reticular formation interact with the autonomic nervous system? How do the pons interact with the somatic nervous system? How do the pons interact with the somatic nervous system?

Older Brain Structures: The Limbic System Limbic System: Limbic System: Doughnut-shaped neural system Doughnut-shaped neural system Located below the cerebral hemispheres Located below the cerebral hemispheres Includes: Includes: Hippocampus Hippocampus Amygdala Amygdala Hypothalamus Hypothalamus Functions: Functions: Linked to Emotions/Drives Linked to Emotions/Drives