THE BRAIN

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR BRAIN The human brain weighs about 1.5kg in adults It has the consistency of firm jelly and is covered by strong, plastic like membranes There is a small gap between the brain and the skull which is filled with fluid The fluid provide a cushion against knocks to the head, protecting the brain from damage unless the knock is quite hard

THE CEREBRUM It occupies more than 80% of the brain It is here that the higher intellectual functions of humans take place It controls your conscious thoughts and voluntary movement of every body part, and sensory messages from all body parts The cerebrum is made up of two parts called the right and left cerebral hemispheres

RIGHT HEMISPHERE Controls the left side of the body This is where visual special skills are coordinated, dancing and gymnastics are coordinated Memory is stored in auditory, visual and special modalities

LEFT HEMISPHERE Controls the right side of the body Systematic, logical interpretation of information; interpretation and production of symbolic information Language, mathematics, abstraction and reasoning Memory stored in a language format

BRAIN TEST

THE CEREBRUM There are 4 lobes: Frontal Parietal Occipital Temporal

FRONTAL LOBE Responsible for conscious thought, cognition and memory Controls the ability to concentrate, higher intellectual reasoning, aggression, judgement and inhibition Plays a role in personality and emotional traits

TEMPORAL LOBE Receives and evaluates input for smell and hearing and plays an important role in memory

PARIETAL LOBE Responsible for processing of sensory input and sensory discrimination Plays a part in orientation

OCCIPITAL LOBE Primary visual reception and interpretation area

CEREBELLUM Is like a smaller version of the cerebrum and is responsible for movement, balance and coordination

THE BRAINSTEM Sits mostly inside the brain At its base it becomes the spinal cord The brainstem is made up the three major parts: the medulla, the pons and the midbrain

THE MEDULLA Its at the bottom of the brainstem and automatic functions, like respiration and digestive system activities

PONS Assists in some automatic functions, like breathing, and also controls sleep and arousal

MIDBRAIN Contains areas that receive and process sensory information, such as movement and vision

RETICULAR FORMATION Controls sleep and wake cycles Damage to this area may result in a coma Plays a role in alertness, fatigue, and motivation to perform various activities

HYPOTHALAMUS Maintains constant heart rate, body temperature and sleep pattern It is also involved in hormone production by control of the pituitary gland

THALAMUS Process and carries messages for sensory information, such as information sent from the ears and skin to the cortex

Left Brain Study StrategiesRight Brain Study Strategies Create an outlineWrite a song Write a summaryHighlight notes Create flashcards with symbols or words Create a story Classify details by categoryCreate a diagram Group information by similaritiesPlay a review game Reread informationDiscuss big ideas Use mnemonicsMake an illustrated map