1. Aim: How can we understand the structure and function of the brain?
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Aim: How can we understand the structure and function of the brain?
Do Now: Which of the brain scanning methods we learned about yesterday shows both structure and function?
Homework:
Exam #2 on Thursday, November 6th!
Brain myths article and worksheet due tomorrow for discussion

2. Brain Structures:

3. Brain Structures: Hindbrain: Medulla Oblongata
Located just above the spinal cord.
Involved in control of blood pressure, heart rate, breathing
Cerebellum
Controls our balance and fine movement skills
Pons
Involved in the control of facial expressions

4. Brain Structures: Midbrain
Coordinates simple movements with sensory information.
Reticular Formation: controls arousal and ability to focus our attention.

5. Brain Structures: Forebrain
What makes us human.
Largest part of the brain.
Thalamus: Receives sensory signals from the spinal cord and sends them to other parts of the forebrain.
The Limbic System: Contains the hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampus because they all deal with aspects of emotion and memory
Hypothalamas: controls and regulates body temperature, sexual arousal, hunger, thirst, endocrine system
Hippocampus: involved in processing and storage of memories
Amygdala: more involved in volatile emotions, like anger

6. Brain Structures: The Cerebral Cortex
Made up of densely packed neurons we call “gray matter”
Glial Cells: support brain cells.
Wrinkles are called fissures.
If you lay brain out it would be as big as a large Pizza

7. Superheroes, Villains, Sidekicks, and the Brain
Task: you are to make up a superhero, villain or sidekick for 8 of the following 20 areas of the human brain. What would that character have as their special power and/or special weakness if that part of their brain was “super?” Your final product should have 8 separate characters. You may work in groups of 2, 3, or 4 to complete this project. You may also work alone, but understand that this is a large undertaking. This project will be due on Friday, November 6.

8. Your final product
8 character descriptions that include all of the following
A name for the character that references the brain
A visual for each character
A description of the character’s super powers and/or weaknesses
The area of the brain used for that character and what it actually controls
This assignment can be completed on the computer and/or include drawings. Please be creative and make sure that you are accomplishing all pieces of the task.

9. What do I do now?
Decide if you wish to complete this assignment alone or in a group of 2-4
If you decide who you are working with, ask me for an index card to list your names
Begin to discuss your plan of action for accomplishing this assignment
If you complete this, you should work on your brain myths assignment that is due tomorrow