INTRODUCTION TO THE BRAIN

YEAR 10 SCIENCE

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WORKINGS OF OUR BRAIN

The human brain is made up of two halves. These halves are commonly called the right brain and left brain, but should more correctly be termed ‘hemispheres’.

Our right and left hemispheres control the ‘opposite’ side of our bodies, so the right hemisphere controls our left side and processes what we see in our left eye while the left hemisphere controls the right side and processes what our right eye sees.

WORKINGS OF OUR BRAIN

Each half of the brain can work independently, but you use both cerebral hemispheres for most activities.

One side usually dominates in a particular task.

For example, in most people the left side has more control over language and logical thinking, such as mathematical ability.

The right side is the more creative and emotional side. Musical and artistic ability depends on the right side of the brain.

LEFT BRAIN VS RIGHT BRAIN In general, the left and right hemispheres of our brain process information in different ways. While we have a natural tendency towards one way of thinking, the two sides of our brain work together in our everyday lives

The right brain of the brain focuses on the visual, and processes information in an intuitive and simultaneous way, looking first at the whole picture then the details.

The focus of the left brain is verbal, processing information in an analytical and sequential way, looking first at the pieces then putting them together to get the whole.

LEFT BRAIN VS RIGHT BRAIN Left brain thinking is verbal and analytical. Right brain is non-verbal and intuitive, using pictures rather than words.

The best illustration of this is to listen to people give directions. The left brain person will say something like “From here, go west three blocks and turn north on Vine Street. Go three or four km and then turn east onto Broad Street.”

The right brain person will sound something like this: “Turn right (pointing right), by the church over there (pointing again). Then you will pass a McDonalds and a Bunnings. At the next light, turn right toward 7-11.”

Images of the brain created using both MRI and PET (positron emission topography).

These scans reveal the parts of the brain that are active during various activities.

They show that the left-hand side of the brain is active during activities that involve language. They also show that different parts are active when listening, speaking, reading or just thinking about words.

LEFT VS RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN

Left sideRight side

• logic• analysis• mathematics• facts• think in words• creativity• imagination• arts• feelings• visualisation

ACTIVITY

1. Write a hypothesis as to which side of the brain is more dominate for you

2. Record your results for all three tests (convert into a percentage)

3. Write a brief conclusion

HTTP://BRAINTEST.SOMMER-SOMMER.COM/EN/

TASK 1WHICH SIDE OF YOUR BRAIN IS MORE DOMINANT?

TASK 2WHICH SIDE OF YOUR BRAIN IS MORE DOMINANT?

HTTP://TESTYOURSELF.PSYCHTESTS.COM/TESTID/3178

TASK 3WHICH SIDE OF YOUR BRAIN IS MORE DOMINANT?