1. The Brain and the Nervous System

2. Central Nervous System
The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord

3. The Peripheral Nervous System
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consists of a system of nerve cells that transmit information to and from the control center.

4. The Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System
These two systems work together to make sure important information gets to your brain to be processed and interpreted and to make sure that the correct response is generated.

5. Draw and label the components of the Central Nervous System on to your Graphic Organizer

6. The Brain Stem
Notice that the brain stem consists of three parts: the midbrain, the pons and the medulla oblongata.

7. Build the Brain Stem

8. The Spinal Cord
Be aware that the spinal cord connects the brain to the body and controls for input to the control center and output to the rest of the body. Together, the brain and the spinal cord form the central nervous system.

9. Build the Spinal Cord

10. The Nervous System
Draw the following table into your Journal. Use an entire page for your drawing
Location
Primary Function
Cerebrum
Frontal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Cerebellum
Brain Stem

11. The Nervous System
Investigate the primary function of the following brain regions and complete the table:
Cerebrum
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Cerebellum
Brain stem

12. Analysis Questions
How do the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system work together to control the body?
A man slips, falls and bangs the back of his head on the tile floor. The doctor tells him he has some minor swelling in the occipital lobe of his cerebrum. His doctor sends him home to rest and tells him that if there are any changes, he should come back in. What changes would be worrisome, given the area that was injured?

13. The Amazing Story of Phineas Gage
As you begin your exploration of brain function, meet an amazing man named Phineas Gage.
Read as a whole class
View Video: Phineas Gage video on youtube

14. Brain Lobe Functions
Working with a team of four, research the areas of the brain responsible for the actions, emotions, personality traits, or functions that are listed on the board. Each team member is responsible for researching four or five items from the list and reporting his/her findings to the group. Work together to divide the work.

15. Brain Function
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory – 3D Brain
National Geographic: Brain Anatomy
PBS- The Secret Life of the Brain: 3-D Brain Anatomy:
BBC – Science and Nature: Human Body and Mind - Human Brain Map
Time Magazine: Images of Brain Structure:

16. Add the two columns to your previous table and add specific activities and processes to each brain location. Create keys for these processes and add them to your brain region graphic organizer
Location
Primary Function
Specific activities and processes
Keys for map
Cerebrum
Frontal Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Cerebellum
Brain Stem

17. Analysis Questions
1. Why is the story of Phineas Gage considered so extraordinary? What does his story teach us about the brain?
2. New research is using functional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), a scan of the brain that shows specific areas that are activated during certain tasks, as a lie detector test. Explain which area(s) of the brain you think might light up to show that you are telling a lie or telling the truth. Explain your reasoning.
3. Ten-year-old Alex Fuentes damaged his occipital lobe and his cerebellum in a car accident. Explain to his parents some of the possible effects of this injury.