BIOLOGY STUDY PACKET THE BRAIN SC.912.L.14.26 AA Spring 2012 The intent of this packet is to supplement regular classroom instruction, not to replace it. This also supposes that the students have access to their textbook material, both hard-copy and on-line.
Benchmark: SC.912.L.14.26 AA Identify the major parts of the brain on diagrams or models. Benchmark Clarification: Students will identify the major parts of the brain on diagrams. Content Limit: Items are limited to the cerebrum, cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata, brain stem, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe. The student should refer to their textbooks for text material on this topic: Regular Biology, Holt by Stephen Nowicki Chapter 29 Honors Biology, Pearson by Miller & Levine Chapter 31 A Piece of Your Mind: Brain Anatomy Student Pages Activity 1A (Following activity taken directly from Teacher Enrichment Initiatives/CAINE 2009 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio) You may want to view the PowerPoint that accompanies this information at http://teachhealthk-12.uthscsa.edu/ Introduction: Today you will learn about the different structures of the human brain. The brain is a very complex organ made up of millions, if not billions, of cells. The average human brain is nearly three-pounds and fills most of the top half of your head and is roughly the size of a coconut fruit. Background: The Brain and Its Parts The brain may be divided into many parts, but for the purpose of this unit, four main parts will be defined. They are referred to as the Cerebrum, Diencephalon, Cerebellum, and Brain Stem. Even though they are part of one organ, they function differently and work together to control body activities. It is important to remember that each part of the brain is responsible for controlling a specific combination of activities within the body. An example of parts of the brain controlling at the same time would be the cerebrum and the cerebellum. The cerebrum controls processes that require conscious thought, sensation, and voluntary movement. The cerebellum regulates balance and coordination; both processes may occur at the same time.
Cerebrum The Cerebrum is the largest area of our brain. It makes up almost two-thirds of the volume of the total brain. The outward appearance of the cerebrum has a wrinkled surface. This wrinkling allows for a greater surface area so that more nerve cells (neurons) can fit into a smaller space. (Think about wrinkling a sheet of paper - the 8 1/2 X 11 page fits in a much smaller space after crumpling it.) This makes more neurons available for the complex human nervous system to do its work. The outermost layer of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is only 1/4 inch thick. It covers the wrinkled surface of the cerebrum like the bark of a tree. High-level human functions such as thought, memory, emotions, personality, voluntary movement and reasoning are controlled here. The cerebrum is divided into two halves, called hemispheres. The hemispheres are divided by a deep split, but the two halves communicate with each other and the rest of the brain through a network of connecting nerve tissue. Each hemisphere is divided into 5 lobes. Four of these lobes are easily studied because they are located on the surface of the cortex. 1. Frontal Lobe: responsible for thinking and creativity. The motor area is located within the frontal lobe. (#1 in the diagram) 1a. At the back of the frontal lobe is an area that controls motor functions. 2. Parietal Lobe: regulates memory of objects and their uses, and directions. Also located in this lobe is the sensory area, which receives many of the sensory messages such as touch, pain and temperature from the rest of the body and routes them to the correct area of the brain. (#2 in the diagram) 2a. At the front of the parietal lobe is an area that controls sensory functions. 3. Temporal Lobe: controls hearing, speech, and memory (#3 in the diagram) 4. Occipital Lobe: nerve impulses from the eyes are received, where the brain translates them into images. (#4 in the diagram) 5. Insular Lobe: this lobe is located beneath the other four lobes, and cannot be seen without pushing aside the frontal and temporal lobes. Scientists are not sure what are controlled by this lobe. Some studies have been done that indicate it is related to controlling behavior related to feelings of pleasure. (#5 in the diagram-under the flap) Cerebellum The cerebellum, or little brain, is similar to the cerebrum in its external appearance. It has two hemispheres and is folded on the surface or cortex. This structure is associated with regulation and coordination of movement, posture, and balance. It is
also believed to play a role in learning (cognitive) development. It is located below the rear part of the cerebrum, right behind the brainstem. (#6 in the diagram) Diencephalon The diencephalon is located below the two hemispheres of the cerebrum and above the brain stem. This area of the brain can be divided into two major parts, the thalamus and hypothalamus. The thalamus is associated with transmitting sensory impulses and the hypothalamus is associated with maintaining homeostasis (balance) in the body by controlling temperature, sleep, appetite, and some emotions. (#7 in the diagram) Brain Stem The brain stem is located below the diencephalon and connects to the spinal cord, which if found inside the vertebrae of the spine. It can be divided into three structural parts that include the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. (#8 in the diagram) 1. Midbrain: This area forms the upper part of the brain stem and functions to control and regulate various reflex actions such as those involved in the eyes, such as in the process of reading. (#8-1 in the diagram) 2. Pons: This area is located below the midbrain and is composed of nerve fibers that connect the two halves of the cerebellum to the brain stem. The name pons means Bridge as it is a bridge to these parts of the brain. The pons plays an important role in connecting the cerebellum with the rest of the nervous system, and is vital for integrating such involuntary actions as breathing. (#8-2 in the diagram) 3. Medula Oblongata: Located below the Pons, this region of the brain stem directly connects to the spinal cord. It contains a collection of nerve fibers that include motor fibers extending from the cerebrum. These fibers cross each other in this area of the brain stem and results in the right half of the brain controlling the left side of the body and the left half of the brain controlling the right side of the body. The Medulla Oblongata contains vital clusters of nerves involved in respiration, heartbeat and blood pressure. (#8-3 in the diagram) Materials: Class set of Student Activity Sheets Set of Brain Anatomy Worksheets for each student Colored pencils for each student Scissors to cut out brain flaps Glue or tape to glue brain flap Slide show included online with this activity Instructions: 1. Read the Background information section the brain and its parts. 2. Before coloring:
Be sure to cut out the small square flap on the Cerebrum and Cerebellum Student Page. Glue or tape in place as shown with dotted lines. As you color the lobes of the cerebrum, you will color the flap-leave the area under the flap white. 3. Follow along, filling out note sections and color coding each section. Be sure to write the name and function of each part. Teacher Enrichment Initiatives/CAINE 2009 The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio To gain an idea a deeper sense of what happens in parts of the brain visit: http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=3220a9efe1570110vgnvcm1000001e0215acrcr D To gain an idea of how the brain functions and what happens to parts of the brain when they are damaged visit: http://www.yourbrainattack.com/brain-functions.htm Go to www.classzone.com (all students have access) go to virtual lab and do the brain dissection. STUDENTS YOU ARE TO LABEL AND COLOR THE TWO BRAIN DIAGRAMS. DO THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
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Teacher Answer Key Brain activities can be accessed at http://teachhealthk-12.uthscsa.edu/ Brain Diagrams labels (from Teacher Enrichment Initiatives) 1. Frontal lobe 2. Parietal 3. Temporal lobe 4. Occipital lobe 5. Insular lobe (not tested) 6. Cerebellum 7. Diencephalon (the thalamus and hypothalamus 8. Brain Stem 8 1 midbrain 8-2 Pons 8-3 Medulla Oblongata Crossword Puzzle: (from classzone.com Across: Down: 1. Occipital lobe 2. Cerebrum 4. Frontal lobe 3. Parietal lobe 6. Medulla 5. Brain stem 7. Pons 8. Cerebellum 9. Temporal lobe FCAT QUESTIONS (from FCAT explorer) 1. B 2. A 3. A 4. A Optional Brain Cap Activity included.