Learning Target 12012-2013

LT #1 Brain: Cerebrum
I can apply my understanding of the Cerebrum in terms of structure and function
1.1— I can identify and/or explain the structural components of the cerebrum. / 1.2—I can identify and/or explain the biological functions of the cerebrum. / 1.3—I can explain the practical applications or perception tests of the cerebrum.
Highly Proficient NEUROLOGIST Score 4
Student can demonstrate in-depth inferences, analysis or synthesis—with little to no errors.
LT 1.1 / I can draw the cerebrum for either the right or left brain, and label all parts.
I can explain how both gray and white matter neurons work in the cerebrum.
LT 1.2 / I can provide examples or analyze how a specific scenario would affect the functions of the frontal, parietal, temporal or occipital lob.
LT 1.3 / I can participate and analyze my cognitive, motor and perception functions of my cerebrum with examples and data to support my answer.
Proficient RESEARCHER Score 3
Student can demonstrate their understanding and apply their knowledge in multiple ways—with some minor errors.
LT 1.1 / I can explain the relative position of the four lobes of the cerebrum and the position of white and gray matter.
I can explain how a neuron conducts and passes an electrochemical signal to another neuron.
LT 1.2 / I can explain or describe the functions of the frontal lobe, using examples to support my answer.
I can explain or describe the functions of the parietal lobe, using examples to support my answer.
I can explain or describe the functions of the temporal lobe, using examples to support my answer.
I can explain or describe the functions of the occipital lobe, using examples to support my answer.
LT 1.3 / I can participate and analyze my cognitive, motor and perception functions of my cerebrum.
Developing Proficient LAB TECHNICIAN Score 2
Student can demonstrate evidence of understanding and comprehension—errors exists but do not impede understanding.
LT 1.1 / Given a diagram I can label the four lobes of the cerebrum.
Given a diagram I can label the gray and white matter in the cerebrum.
Given a diagram I can label a myelinated and unmyelinated neuron.
Given a diagram I can label two neurons and their synaptic interface.
LT 1.2 / I can identify the cognitive, motor and perception functions of the frontal lobe.
I can identify the cognitive, motor and perception functions of the parietal lobe.
I can identify the cognitive, motor and perception functions of the temporal lobe.
I can identify the cognitive, motor and perception functions of the occipital lobe.
LT 1.3 / I can participate and minimally analyze my cognitive, motor and perceptions functions of my cerebrum.
Beginning ProficientScore 1
Student can demonstrate a partial understanding of some of the knowledge—however major errors or misconceptions exist. / Not ProficientScore 0
Lack or insufficient evidence to determine proficiency.

The Brain

The brain is an information processor, much like a computer. It receives informational input from the internal and external environments, and, if appropriate, creates a response. What is amazing is that the brain is capable of generating information and output signals in the absence of external input.

Structure of the Brain

The brain is organized into four main structures or areas—these include the cerebrum, cerebellum, limbic system and brain stem. Additionally the brain is divided by two parts of “brain matter” called gray matter and white matter. Gray matter represents the processing centers of the brain and white matter represents the networking of-or connections between the processing centers. Some studies have shown that men have approximately 6.5 times the amount of gray matter related to general intelligence, but woman have 10 times the amount of white matter related to intelligence than men. Structurally, gray matter is unmyelinated (uninsulated) nerve cell bodies, dendrites and axon terminals. White matter is made of up mostly axons with few cell bodies and is covered in a myelin sheath (insulated) around the axons. Unmyelinated neurons do not transfer signals—they process information and myelinated neurons do not process information they just send it through the pathway.

Structure of a Neuron

The neuron is the functional unit of the nervous system. They have three main parts—the cell body, axon and dendrites. The cell body has the nucleus which controls the function of the neuron. The dendrites receive incoming signals and the axons carry the signal to the axon terminal. When two neurons line up, the axon terminal and the dendrites “communicate” chemically between the dendrites and the axon terminal.

Across the synapse of the two neurons, neurotransmitters like dopamine are released from the axon terminals and are received by the dendrites, which continue the signals until it either reaches the brain or motor muscle.

The frontal lobe is ______to the parietal lobe.

The frontal lobe is ______to the occipital lobe.

The frontal lobe is ______and ______to the temporal lobe.

The parietal lobe is ______to the frontal lobe.

The parietal lobe is ______to the temporal lobe.

The parietal lobe is ______and ______to the occipital lobe.

The temporal lobe is ______and ______to the frontal lobe.

The temporal lobe is ______to the parietal lobe.

The temporal lobe is ______and ______to the occipital lobe.

The occipital lobe is ______and ______to the temporal lobe.

The occipital lobe is ______to the frontal lobe.

The occipital lobe is ______and ______to the parietal lobe.

The Cerebrum

The cerebrum is composed of left and right halves called cerebral hemispheres. They are separated by a midsagittal crease called the longitudinal cerebral fissure. Each hemisphere carries out slightly different motor and sensory functions. For example, the regions of the left hemisphere are specialized for language and speech. All people use both hemispheres of a hemisphere dominate a person’s behavior. A person with a dominant left hemisphere would be more adept at language skills and analytical processing skills required for scientific and mathematical reasoning. The right hemisphere is considered to be the site of more “creative” perception. Artists and musicians are, therefore, considered to have right-brain dominance. Between the hemispheres is a band of white matter called the corpus callosum. It connects the hemispheres deep within the base of the cerebrum. The corpus callosum ensures communication between the hemispheres. It also allows one hemisphere to partly compensate for loss of function if the other hemisphere is damaged. The cerebral cortex contains three functional specializations: sensory areas (fields) that direct perception, motor areas that direct movement, and regions known as association areas (association cortices) that integrate information and direct voluntary behaviors.

Association areas integrate sensory information such as somatic, visual, and auditory stimuli into perception. Perception is the brain’s interpretation of sensory stimuli, and the perceived stimulus may be very different from the actual stimulus. For example photoreceptors of the eye receive light of different frequencies, but we perceive the different wave energies as different colors. Similarly, the brain translates pressure waves hitting the ear into sound or interprets chemical binding to chemoreceptors as taste or smell.

One interesting aspect of perception is the way that our brain fills in missing information to create a complete picture or translates a two-dimensional drawing into a three-dimensional shape.

The hemispheres can further divided into four lobes. The lobes are names after the bones that cover them: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital bones.

The frontal lobe is located at the front of the brain and is associated with reasoning, motor skills, higher level cognition, and expressive language. At the back of the frontal lobe, near the central sulcus, lies the motor cortex. This area of the brain receives information from various lobes of the brain and utilizes this information to carry out body movements. Damage to the frontal lobe can lead to changes in sexual habits, socialization and attention as well as increased risk-taking.

The parietal lobe is located in the middle section of the brain and is associated with processing tactile sensory information such as pressure, touch, and pain. A portion of the brain known as the somatic sensory cortex is located in this lobe and is essential to the processing of the body's senses, by receiving sensory information from the skin, muscles, skeletal, eye muscles and taste buds. Damage to the parietal lobe can result in problems with verbal memory, an impaired ability to control eye gaze and problems with language.

The temporal lobe is located on the bottom section of the brain. This lobe is also the location of the primary auditory cortex, which is important for interpreting sounds and the language we hear. The hippocampus is also located in the temporal lobe, which is why this portion of the brain is also heavily associated with the formation of memories. Damage to the temporal lobe can lead to problems with memory, speech perception and language skills.

The occipital lobe is located at the back portion of the brain and is associated with interpreting visual stimuli and information. The primary visual cortex, which receives and interprets information from the retinas of the eyes, is located in the occipital lobe. Damage to this lobe can cause visual problems such as difficulty recognizing objects, an inability to identify colors and trouble recognizing words.

Practice for Functions of the Cerebral Lobes:

Directions: If a person had a stroke and showed the following physical symptoms—what lobe(s) of their brain would be most affected:

Starts drinking alcohol daily. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cannot read anymore. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cannot taste/smell. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cannot determine where sounds are coming from. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Can't recognize faces. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Can't speak. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cannot remember who people are. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cant form new memories. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Can’t move the right side of the body. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Can’t move the left side of the body. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Can’t remember much of what is said to them. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cannot tell how far away objects are. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cannot distinguish one color from the next. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cannot determine if someone is sad or mad. Lobe(s) affected: ______
Cannot figure out what to do if something changes. Lobe(s) affected: ______

Drawing / Notes
Structure of the Nervous System
Questions
Summary
Drawing / Notes
Gray Matter and White Matter
Questions
Summary
Drawing / Drawing
Questions / Notes
Myelinated Neuron
Unmyelinated Neuron
Summary
Drawing / Notes
Anatomical Directional Terms
Four Lobes of the Cerebrum
Questions
Summary
Occipital Lobe Tests / Notes
Function of the Occipital Lobe
Questions
Summary
Temporal Lobe Tests / Notes
Function of the Temporal Lobe
Questions
Summary
Parietal Lobe Tests / Notes
Function of Parietal Lobe
Questions
Summary
Frontal Lobe Tests / Notes
Function of Frontal Lobe(s)
Questions
Summary