1. A Web Quest for 7th-12th Grade Students
By Shannon Hernandez & Mike Shaw of CSNE
NEURONS & SYNAPSES (Adapted from “The Teenage Brain in Search of Itself…” Webquest by RoseMary McClain of Londonderry High School, NH)

2. How does the brain communicate with the body?
LEARNING TARGET:
I can obtain information to investigate the structure and function of the Central Nervous System and the neurons in its network.
SUCCESS CRITERIA:
Complete the webquest using provided resources to label the brain and neuron diagrams.

3. SLIDE 1 “The Brain & Its Parts”
Click on the link & read “The Central Nervous System”:
Eric Chudler Link
Answer the following questions on provided worksheet:
How many parts make-up the central nervous system?
What are brain cells called?
Are there any other special cells in the brain?

4. Slide 2 “Draw a brain”
Click on the link: “Structures & Areas of the Human Brain”
Complete the “Brain Graphic” on the back of the worksheet
Label all the lobes (Main sections of the brain), using the link above. You must move the cursor over the interactive brain to get the name of the lobes and the list of functions it is responsible for.
Write a description to list what each part does (On the back under the label)
Add a spinal cord to the proper location & label it with an arrow

5. Slide 3 “Picturing Neurons”
Click on the link & observe the images of neuron diagrams by Cajal.
Cajal Neuron Images
Click on the link & observe other images of neurons:
Neuron images
Answer the following questions on provided worksheet:
Do all neurons look the same?
What are some differences mentioned in Cajal’s images?

6. Slide 4 “UNDERSTANDING THE NEURON”
Click on the link & read about neurons. “Neuroscience for Kids”
Answer the following questions on provided worksheet:
What is a neuron?
What does it do?
How many neurons are in the human brain?

7. Slide 5 “Neuron Model” Click on the link: “Neuron Diagram”
Complete the following directions on the back of the worksheet
Label a typical neuron (As instructed)
Color the parts to match the instructions
Image Source: J Sans HHMI, Harvard

8. Slide 6 “Building A Neuron”
Click on the link & play the game:
Screen shot with snipping tool your score & share with teacher… Get table partner to sign & verify completed

9. Slide 7 “How Neurons Communicate”
Click on the link & scroll through the slides to read about how synapses communicate: "Neurons Communicate Via the..."
Next, click on the link & watch the video: “Molecular mechanism of Synaptic Function”
Answer the following questions on provided worksheet:
What type of signal is transmitted in the synapse?
Do neurons actually touch other neurons?

10. Slide 8 “Neurotransmitters”
Click on the link & watch the video: "Crossing The Divide"
Click on the link & read: “Types of Neurotransmitters”
Answer the following questions on provided worksheet:
Write a description for how neurotransmitters work.
Explain the importance of “Dopamine.”

11. Extensions
For more information about the brain check out this website: