Understanding the Brain

The Brain Song

The Brain Q & A T/F- People use only 10% of their

brain.

T/F- People with larger brains are more intelligence.

T/F- The brain gets better with use.

The Nervous SystemCentral Nervous System & Peripheral Nervous System(brain & spinal cord) (nerves, organs, muscles)

Autonomic Somatic (involuntary)

(voluntary)

Sympathetic Parasympathetic(arouses body) (calms body)

Ways to Measure the Brain EEG CAT (CT) Scan MRI Scan PET Scan

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Monitors the electrical activity of the brain- brain waves

Used in clinical diagnosis of various neurological disorders

Brain Imaging- CAT Scan X-ray beam moves all

around the patient, scanning from hundreds of different angles.

Portrays only brain structure.

Used to diagnose a wide variety of ailments (head trauma, cancer, tumors).

Brain Imaging- PET Scan examine brain function monitor chemical

processes such as neurotransmitters

Person receives an injection of radioactive substance

Brain Imaging- MRI Similar to CAT scan but better

picture due to higher resolution Uses radio waves to capture

picture of the brain The energy released by different

structures generates an image on a computer screen.

MRI Machine

Three Main Regions of the Brain

1. Hindbrain- lower part of brain stem (pons & medulla), & cerebellum

Three Main Regions of the Brain

2. Midbrain- upper brainstem (reticular formation)

Three Main Regions of the Brain

3. Forebrain- largest & most complex limbic system (hippocampus, hypothalamus,

thalamus, amygdala) at the center cerebral cortex & lobes can be seen

externally

Cerebral Cortex - layer of cells covering the surface of the brain.

It’s divided into 4 Lobes

Frontal Lobe Prefrontal Cortex Personality- how we

behave in social settings, impulse control

Plans & decision making Motor cortex- controls

all voluntary movements

Phineas Gage example of prefrontal cortex damage

Phineas Gage- example of prefrontal cortex damage

Phineas Gage- example of prefrontal cortex damage

Parietal Lobe- Process info from body parts

Somatosensory Cortex- sense of touch

Sense of touch, feeling temperature & pain

Phantom Limb syndrome

Temporal Lobe Involves hearing,

speaking, understanding written & verbal words

Occipital Lobe Processes visual

information Visual Agnosia-

inability to recognize whole parts

Neglect Syndrome- unable to see objects on the opposite side of the brain damage