1. PONDER THIS What REALLY happened inside Johnny’s head?
How do the brain, and the whole nervous system work?
How common are
these types of
injuries?
PONDER THIS
How are
Concussions
Evaluated &
Treated?
Why can’t athletes go
back in the game if
it’s only a minor
concussion?
What part of the brain gets injured in a concussion?

2. The Brain Needs lots of TLC: Protection and Nutrition
1. Outer layer: scalp (skin)
2. Bony protection: Cranium (skull)
3. Meninges
pia mater & dura mater
Add a picture of a real cranium

3. Check out the Meningeal Layers in a REAL brain!
Image from

4. The Brain Needs lots of TLC: Protection and Nutrition
4. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Cushions the brain from a blow to the head
Dec pressure at the base of the brain
Excretes waste products through a one-way valve
Transports hormones to other areas of brain
5. Blood Brain Barrier
Add a picture of a real cranium

5. The Human Brain 1. 2% of the weight of the body 3 trillion cells
Has gray and white matter
Cerebrum – learning, judgment, intelligence
- left half of the brain controls the right side of the body, right brain controls left body
- 4 lobes on each side match skull bone names they’re beneath
Remind Students: The brain is composed of neurons that communicate with other brain neurons and with the spinal cord neurons through action potentials. Spinal cord neurons communicate with PNS neurons in the same way.
Images from Campbell Biology 7th Edition

6. 4 Areas of the Cerebrum Four lobes
Parietal – somatic sensory area, info from receptors in body is sent here
Occipital- allows your brain to make sense of what your eyes “see”
Temporal- makes sense of auditory stimuli  hearing
Frontal lobe- primary motor area  allows conscious movement & fine motor movements; assoc w/ higher reasoning, socially acceptable behavior, areas of language comprehension
The Cerebrum, (Cerebral Cortex) is the part of the brain that is vulnerable to injury if a person receives a blow to the head.
Because different areas are specialized for different functions, the location of impact will greatly influence the symptoms displayed. Where might the injury be if someone is having visual problems?
Want to know more about specialized areas of the brain and their functions? LINK ……..
Images from Campbell Biology 7th Edition

7. Are you right or left brained?
Take the quiz at:
Check this site out to see how knowing whether you have a dominant right or left brain can help you succeed in school

9. Cerebellum Diencephalon Brain Stem
Coordinates and balances movement by comparing expected to actual movement
Diencephalon
Includes thalamus and hypothalamus and pineal gland
Thalamus – sensory inputs relayed to other parts of the brain
Hypothalamus – Connects hormones with nervous system; controls body temperature, regulates involuntary nervous system
Brain Stem
Reflex center for heart rate, respiratory rate, swallowing, coughing, sneezing
Connects spinal cord to brain

10. Hydrocephalus

11. Nervous System Review Games
Group Trivia (basic review questions)
Pictionary (small groups)
Jeopardy (PowerPoint for whole class) download Neuroscience for Kids: Brain Games
Online Quiz at the Mayo Clinic Brain & Nervous System Center