The Brain Module 4 Jonathan Lee AP PsychologyJanuary 12, 2015

Action Potential Song for Module 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdXdEDEOlBU

P.55 in Myers

Neuroimaging Techniques

EEG (Electroencephalogram): An amplified recording of the waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain’s surface. Waves are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp. Think of a car engine and listening to the hum of its motor.

CT Scan (Computed tomography): a series of X-ray pics taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body.

PET Scan (Positron emission tomography): a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task.

Terms you should know.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain.

Lower-Level Brain Structures

Lower-level brain structures are responsible for basic functions of life such as breathing, resting, and feeding and other basic mechanisms for survival.

Brainstem: the brain’s basement, oldest part and central core of the brain where the spinal cord swells as it enters the skull. Responsible for automatic survival functions.

Medulla: the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing

Reticular formation: a nerve network in the brainstem that plays and important role in controlling arousal.

Pinky and the Brain – The Brain Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5f56Ynb01E

Ratio of brain to body weight

Humans 1/45

Dinosaurs 1/100,000

But mice 1/40, exceptions

Terms

Thalamus

Cerebellum

Limbic System

Amygdala -> rage

Locate and label them on map.

Hypothalamus

Hypothalamus – a neural structure lying below (hypo) the thalamus; it direct several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion.

Olds and Milner (1954) experimented with

Rats and found that pleasuring the hypo

Things to do

Toilet handout.

Saturday morning.

Brain Hemispheres

Left Hemisphere: Associated with logic, math, and science.

Right Hemisphere: Associated with creativity, speech, and humanities.

Localization of function: different parts of the brain responsible for different action.

Lateralization: from the word lateralized to be largely under control of one side (left or right hemisphere). Application: Lateralization of the right hemisphere means Doug can do the dougie on the spot.

Wernicke vs. Broca

Wernicke’s (pronounced – “vernicka”) Area = Wernicke understands…

Broca’s Area = Broca speaks.

Remember B.S.W.U.

Watch video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k8JwC1L9_k