1. The Central Nervous System

3. Touch Neuron to review

5. The Nervous System

6. Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord
The brain is the location of most information processing.
The spinal cord is the main pathway to and from the brain.

7. Spinal Cord

8. Divisions of the Nervous System

9. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The sensory and motor nerves that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Peripheral means “outer region”
The system is subdivided into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

10. Divisions of the Nervous System

11. Somatic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles (remember “soma”= body)
Contains the motor nerves needed for the voluntary muscles

12. Divisions of the Nervous System

13. Autonomic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs
Monitors the autonomic functions
Controls breathing, blood pressure, and digestive processes
Divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

14. Divisions of the Nervous System

15. Sympathetic Nervous System
The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body to deal with perceived threats and stress

16. Divisions of the Nervous System

17. Parasympathetic Nervous System
The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body
Brings the body back down to a relaxed state

18. Divisions of the Nervous System

19. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

20. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

21. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

22. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

23. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

24. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

25. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System

26. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
Physical Responses

27. THE BRAIN

29. How Do We Study The Brain?

30. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Electrodes are placed on the scalp that amplify recordings of the waves of electrical activity across the brain’s surface

32. Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan)
A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of the brain

35. Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)
A visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task

37. PET Scans show brain activity

39. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that allow us to see structures within the brain

42. Accidents
Case study analysis of victims of suffer from a brain injury, resulting in variations in normal behavior
IE. Phineas Gage

43. Lesions
Lesioning is the removal or destruction of part of the brain.
IE. Lobotomy

44. THE BRAIN AND ITS FUNCTIONS

45. I. The Hindbrain

47. The hindbrain is the oldest and innermost region of the brain

48. The functions of the hindbrain are mostly done outside of our awareness, and occur without any conscious effort.

49. The functions of the hindbrain control basic biological functions that keep the human body alive.

50. There are three brain areas associated with the Hindbrain:
Medulla
Cerebellum
Pons

51. The point at which the spinal cord enters the skull is called the MEDULLA
The MEDULLA controls heartbeat and breathing, blood pressure, and attention

54. Extending from the rear of the brainstem is the CEREBELLUM
The CEREBELLUM coordinates voluntary movements and balance (along with the BASIL GANGLIA)

57. The PONS is responsible for helping to regulate breathing, to help with sleep and wake cycles, and controls facial expressions

59. II. The Midbrain
The Midbrain is located between the hindbrain and the forebrain
This area is responsible for coordinating simple muscle movements with changes in sensory information

60. The major area of the Midbrain is the RETICULAR FORMATION
The RETICULAR FORMATION extends from the spine to the thalamus, and is responsible for arousal/wakefulness and attentiveness

62. The MIDBRAIN is also responsible for behaviors associated with hearing and sight
Pupil dilation and eyeball movement

65. III. The Forebrain Areas of the forebrain control thought and reason.
There are five main regions of the forebrain to study:
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Amygdala
Hippocampus
The Cerebral Cortex

66. On top of the hindbrain is the THALAMUS
The THALAMUS receives sensory input from all of the senses except smell, and routes it to the proper area of the brain for processing
The THALAMUS also helps to control the electrical currents in the brain

69. The HYPOTHALAMUS is responsible for several maintenance activities, including eating, drinking, body temperature, and sexual arousal

70. The HYPOTHALAMUS also relays communication between the brain and the endocrine system, via the pituitary gland, and then monitors the hormones released into the bloodstream

73. The HIPPOCAMPUS is essential to memory processing

76. The AMYGDALA is tied to emotions, especially those of aggression, rage, and fear

79. Collectively, the thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and the amygdala are known as the Limbic System as well

83. The CEREBRAL CORTEX is the intricate, wrinkled covering of the brain (FISSURES) (actually a bump is a gyrus and a groove is a sulcus – but that’s a bit too much info…)
In addition to interneurons, it contains GLIAL CELLS, which guide neural connections, provide nutrients to myelin, and mop up neurotransmitters

87. The Cerebral Cortex is split into two halves, or Hemispheres:
Right Hemisphere
Left Hemisphere

88. The two hemispheres of the brain are connected by the CORPUS CALLOSUM

89. Hemispheres of the Brain

94. Each hemisphere of the brain has different functions
Each hemisphere of the brain has different functions. This is called hemispheric specialization.

97. The Cerebral Cortex is split into four LOBES, with half of each one on the left, and half of each one on the right:
The FRONTAL LOBE
The PARIETAL LOBE
The OCCIPITAL LOBE
The TEMPORAL LOBE

100. The Frontal Lobes are the portions of the cortex lying just behind the forehead
Mostly involved in abstract thought, speaking, muscle movements, making plans, and judgments

101. In the left frontal lobe specifically, there is an association area responsible for language processing called Broca’s Area

102. Broca’s Area controls language expression and the muscle’s involved with producing speech

103. Along the top of both front lobes runs the motor cortex

104. The motor cortex receives messages from the rest of the brain and then sends messages back to the muscles of the body in order to control voluntary movements.

107. The Parietal Lobes are the portion of the cortex lying at the top of the head
includes the sensory (or somato-sensory) cortex

108. The parietal lobes play important roles in integrating sensory touch information, and in the handling and manipulation of objects.

109. The sensory cortex registers and processes touch sensations.

110. Click the homunculus to understand the homunculus!

113. The Temporal Lobes are the portions of the cerebral cortex roughly located above the ears
audio processing
comprehension, naming, verbal memory and other language functions.

114. In the left temporal lobe specifically, there is an association area responsible for language processing called Wernike’s Area

115. Wernicke’s Area interprets both written and spoken language.

117. The Occipital Lobes are located at the back of the head
The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual information.

118. Brain Plasticity
Module 8: The Brain

119. Plasticity The ability of the brain tissue to take on new functions
Greatest in childhood
Important if parts of the brain are damaged or destroyed
Go to the next slide to see a video about brain plasticity! (may take a few seconds to load – be patient – click only once to load the video – then wait!