The Brain

Topic: The Brain Structure and Function

Grade Level/s: 12

Instructional Objectives:
Students will understand the structure and function of the various parts of the brain.
The differences between the functioning of the teenage brain and the functioning of an adult brain.
Students will understand the impact that damage to the brain can have on normal human functioning.
Students will understand the impact that drugs and alcohol can have on the brain.

Concepts Addressed:
3.1.12 C
Access and apply patterns in science and technology
3.2.12
Apply and use the technology design process to solve problems
3.3.12 A
Explain the relationship between structure and function at all levels of organization
3.3.12 B
Analyze the chemical and structural basis of living organisms
3.7.12 E
Assess the effectiveness of computer communication systems

Material Required:
Puzzle
Simple Electrical circuit
Over head
Transparencies
Meninges
Lobes of the Brain
Diagramed functions of the brain
Cells of the brain
Deep structures of the brain
Ventricles
How to write a research report directions
Internet access:
Brain Briefings: http://www.sfn.org/briefings/
Neuroscience for Kids: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
Brain Home page: http://library.thinkquest.org/18299/
Brain Wave: http://library.thinkquest.org/28457/main.html
Brain Storm: http://library.thinkquest.org/27807/Brain.html
Brain questions
Scavenger Hunt of Cranial nerves
Structure and function of the brain
Charts
Diagrams

Engagement:
Brain Puzzle: Watch the Brain Learn
Time a volunteer doing a jigsaw puzzle and record the score on the board
Have the same person do the puzzle two more times, timing him/her each time
Repeat Procedure with another person
The Simple Circuit Board
Have students watch as you connect the final wire to make the light shine.

Key Questions:
Engagement: Brain Puzzle
How are the person's times different?
Did they improve the more times they did the puzzle?
Answer, yes: the persons brain has learned to do the task
Answer, no: the persons brain is still learning and needs to keep trying
How do the times differ between the two individuals?
Remember that what is easy for one person may be difficult for another.
Engagement: The Simple Circuit
Ask students to explain what is happening to make the light shine.
Ask students to compare this action to what is happening in the brain. Lead them to understand
that electrical impulses travel though neural pathways, resulting in thought or action.


Procedure:
Begin with the engagement activity
Lead a discussion on the structure and functions of the brain
Have students use the internet to explore and answer the Brain discussion as well as complete
the structure and function charts questions in groups of two


Closure:
Lead a whole class discussion on the questions


Assessment:
Formal:
Formal Assessment (test) refer to teacher notes
Rubric for Writing a research report
Informal:
Brain questions
Scavenger Hunt of Cranial nerves
Structure and function of the brain
Charts



Extension Activities:
Research a disease or injury that affects brain function, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. How does it affect the brain? What symptoms does a person with this disease display? Are there treatments for it? What causes it? What does this disease reveal about how the human brain work?
Extra Credit: Nerve Function Scavenger Hunt
Students are to finish their charts of brain structure and function


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Structure & Function Of The Brain

          Chart1: The Cells and Protection of the Brain
Structure
Function
Neuron
Responsible for sending and receiving nerve impulses or signals.
Neuralgia
Provides neurons with nourishment, protection, and structural support.
Meninges
Three layers of tissue that protect the brain and spinal cord.
Dura Mater


Falx


Tentorium
Outermost and toughest of the 3 meninges. (Protection)

Separates the right and left half of the brain

Separates the upper and lower parts of the brain
Arachnoid
Thin and delicate covers the entire brain(second layer, Protection)
Pia Mater
Closest to the surface of the brain, covers the entire surface and is rich with blood vessels that reach deep into the surface of the brain. (Protection)
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Watery substance that helps to cushion the brain and spinal cord from injury.



Chart2: Structure of the Brain
Structure
Function
Cerebrum


Cerebral Cortex


Basal Nuclei (Ganglia)
The bulk of the brain: left & right hemisphere.

The outer “gray matter” region. Billions of neurons

Gray matter areas located deep with in the white matter of the cerebral hemisphere.
Corpus Callosum
Connects the two halves of the brain and delivers messages from one half to the other.
Frontal Lobe:
Primary Motor

Premotor Cortex

Prefrontal Cortex

Broca's Area
Movement of body parts

Eye and head movement

Memory intelligence & concentration

Language
Temporal Lobe

Wernicke's Area
Sound hearing memory

Language and speech functions
Parietal Lobe
Interprets simultaneously signals received from other areas of the brain such as vision, hearing, motor, sensory and memory. TOUCH

New information received is given meaning (memory)
Occipital Lobe
Visual field ; how our eyes see the world around us
Cerebellum
Fine tunes our motor activity or movement, maintains posture, sense of balance by controlling our muscles and sense the position of out limbs. Important in the ability to perform rapid and repetitive actions.
Brain Stem




Mid Brain


Pons


Medulla
Structure holding up the cerebellum; relay station; passing messages back and forth from various body parts and the cerebral cortex.

Center of ocular motion


Coordinating eye and facial movements, facial sensation, hearing and balance

Controls breathing, blood pressure, heart rhythms and swallowing



Chart3: Deep Structure of the Brain
Structure
Function
Diencephalon:



Thalamus




Hypothalamus
Central core of the forebrain and is surrounded by the cerebral hemisphere. Contains:
Serves as a relay station for almost all information that comes and goes from the cortex. Plays a role in pain sensation, attention and alertness.

Contains nerve connections that send messages to the pituitary gland therefore plays a role in: Body temperature; Emotions; Hunger; Thirst; Circadian Rhythms; Hormones
Limbic System



Hippocampus


Amygdala
A group of structures important in controlling emotion and response to a given situation.

Also important in memory; emotional behavior

Emotional behavior


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Extra Credit:Nerve Function Scavenger Hunt

These nerves have been responsible for some very specialized features and they have traditionally been both named and numbered

Cranial Nerve
Function
I Olfactory
Smell
II Optic

Visual field and ability to see
III Oculomotor

Eye movements; eyelid opening
IV Trochlear

Eye movements
V Trigeminal
Facial sensation
VI Abducens
Eye movements
VII Facial

Eyelid closing; facial expression; taste sensation
VIIIAcousticI
Hearing; sense of balance
IX Glossopharyngeal
Taste sensation swallowing
X Vagus
Swallowing; taste sensation
XI Accessory
Control neck and shoulder muscle
XII Hypoglossal
Tongue movement