today is a great day to learn about your brain!!! growing new brain cells?
TRANSCRIPT
Today is a great day to learn about your
BRAIN!!!Growing New Brain Cells?
How do we know about How do we know about the brain?the brain?
Brain Scans
Electroencephalogram Electroencephalogram (EEG)(EEG)
•Electrodes are placed on the scalp that amplify recordings of the waves of electrical activity across the brain’s surface
Computed Tomography (CT or Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan)CAT Scan)
•A series of X-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of the brain
Position Emission Position Emission Tomography (PET Scan)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
Language Development and PET Scans
Magnetic Resonance Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)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
• Accidents• Case study analysis of victims
who suffer from a brain injury, resulting in variations in normal behavior
• Phineas Gage
LesionsLesions• Lesioning is the removal or
destruction of part of the brain.• IE. Lobotomy
Parts of the Parts of the BrainBrain
Cerebral CortexCerebral Cortex• The body’s ultimate control and
information processing center• Covers the brain’s lower level structures• Contains an estimated 30 billion nerve
cells• Divided into two hemispheres and four
lobes, connected by a thick band of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum
Top View of the Right and Left Top View of the Right and Left HemispheresHemispheres
Hemispheres of the BrainHemispheres of the Brain
Right Side - Left SideRight Side - Left Side• The right side of the brain controls
muscles on the left side of the body• The left side of the brain controls
muscles on the right side of the body. • Damage to one side of the brain will
affect the opposite side of the body.
Hemispheric Hemispheric DifferencesDifferences
Hemispheric DifferencesHemispheric Differences
• Both sides continually communicate via the corpus callosum.
Hemispheric Hemispheric Differences: Differences:
Language and Language and Spatial AbilitiesSpatial Abilities
The Brain’s Left HemisphereThe Brain’s Left Hemisphere
• Language • Math • Logic • Analytic Thought• Scientific Thought• Reasoning
The Brain’s Right HemisphereThe Brain’s Right Hemisphere
• Spatial abilities • Face recognition • Visual imagery • Music • Creativity• Emotional Instincts
Side View of the Left Side View of the Left HemisphereHemisphere
Right and Left Frontal LobesRight and Left Frontal Lobes• The portion of the cerebral cortex
lying just behind the forehead• Mostly involved in abstract
thought, speaking, muscle movements, making plans, and judgments
The Frontal LobesWhere is Morality?
Pre-Frontal Lobe Development of Children
•The motor cortex controls voluntary movements
•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.
Right and Left Parietal LobesRight and Left Parietal Lobes
• Regions available for general processing, including mathematical reasoning
• The parietal lobes play important roles in integrating sensory touch information, and in the handling and manipulation of objects.
Sensory Motor Integration
•The sensory cortex registers and processes touch sensations.
Right and Left Occipital LobesRight and Left Occipital Lobes
•The primary visual processing area
•Located in the back of the head
Right and Left Temporal LobesRight and Left Temporal Lobes
• Includes the auditory cortex where sound information is processed
• Located roughly above the ears
The Inner Brain
CerebellumCerebellum
• Latin for the “little brain”
• Located in the rear of the brain
• Helps coordinate voluntary movements and balance
• If damaged, the person could perform basic movements but would lose fine coordination skills.
BrainstemBrainstem• The oldest part of the brain
– The Midbrain– Pons– Medulla
• Is responsible for automatic survival functions
• Located where the spinal cord swells and the brain just begins
MidbrainMidbrain
•The MIDBRAIN is also responsible for behaviors associated with hearing and sight
•Pupil dilation and eyeball movement
PONSPONS
•The PONS is responsible for helping to regulate breathing, to help with sleep and wake cycles, and controls facial expressions
MedullaMedulla
• The base of the brainstem
• Controls life-supporting functions like heartbeat and breathing
• Damage to this area can lead to death.
ThalamusThalamus
• Sits atop the brainstem
• The brain’s sensory switchboard – receives input and directs messages to the sensory processing areas in the cortex
Limbic SystemLimbic System
• A ring of structures around the thalamus; at the border of the brainstem and cerebral cortex
• Includes:– Hypothalamus
– Hippocampus
– Amygdala
HypothalamusHypothalamus
• Located directly under the front of the thalamus
• Regulates eating, drinking, body temperature, and the fight or flight reactions to stress
• Plays a role in emotions, pleasure, and sexual function
HippocampusHippocampus
• Wraps around the back of the thalamus
• Plays a role in processing new memories for permanent storage
• Looks something like a seahorse
– Hippo is Greek for “horse.”
AmygdalaAmygdala
• Two almond shaped structures
• Controls emotional responses such as fear and anger
Click the brain for a review Click the brain for a review of the brainof the brain
Brain PlasticityBrain Plasticity
Module 8: The BrainModule 8: The Brain
PlasticityPlasticity• The ability of the The ability of the brain tissue to take brain tissue to take on new functionson new functions
• Greatest in Greatest in childhoodchildhood
• Important if parts of Important if parts of the brain are the brain are damaged or damaged or destroyeddestroyed
• 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!
The BrainThe Brain• Basic Brain Functions