STUDYING BRAIN STRUCTURE
Amplified recording of waves of electrical activity that sweep across the brain surface.
What is an E.E.G. (Electroencephalogram)?
This controls heartbeat and breathing.
What is the Medulla?
Maria becomes unusually aggressive and fearful after a small injury. Her family notes that her emotional reactions are more extreme than before.
Question: Which brain part is likely affected?
What is Amygdala?
Every time Pavlov rang a bell, he then gave the dogs food. Eventually, the dogs began to salivate just at the sound of the bell.
Question: Identify the unconditioned stimulus (US), unconditioned response (UR), conditioned stimulus (CS), and conditioned response (CR)
US = food
UR = salivation to food
CS = bell
CR = salivation to bell
Alex just won a prize at the school carnival and feels extremely excited and motivated to keep playing games. Which neurotransmitter is responsible for Alex’s pleasure and reward feeling?
What is a DOPAMINE?
Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue.
What is an M.R.I (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)?
This part of the brain coordinates movement.
What are the Pons?
Damage to this part of the limbic system can prevent the formation of new long-term memories.
What is the hippocampus?
Little Albert was shown a white rat. Each time he reached for it, researchers made a loud noise behind him. Eventually, he cried just at the sight of the rat.
Question: Identify the US, UR, CS, and CR.
US = loud noise
UR = fear/crying to noise
CS = white rat
CR = fear/crying to rat
Jordan has been feeling sad, has trouble sleeping, and struggles with appetite changes. Which neurotransmitter might be low, affecting Jordan’s mood?
What is SEROTONIN?
Radioactive form of glucose shows visual display of brain activity.
What is a P.E.T. (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan?
This part of the brain controls emotions.
What is the Amygdala?
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them
What is the Corpus Callosum?
Whenever Maria hears the school bell signaling the end of class, she remembers a pop quiz and feels anxious. Over time, she starts feeling anxious just hearing the bell, even when no quiz is given.
Question: Identify the CS and CR.
CS = school bell
CR = anxiety
During gym class, Mia lifts a heavy weight. Her muscles contract so she can lift it properly. Which neurotransmitter is enabling the signal from her nerves to her muscles?
What is Acetylcholine (ACh)?
X-ray photos taken from different angles combined through computers into a composite representation.
What is a C.T. (Computed Tomography) Scan?
This part of the brain acts as a “relay station” for most sensory information going to the cortex.
What is the Thalamus?
Samantha has irregular growth, thyroid problems, and unusual stress hormone levels. Tests show an issue with a gland that works closely with the hypothalamus.
Question: Which brain part is likely affected?
What is the PITUITARY GLAND?
Sarah’s alarm goes off every morning, and she feels anxious. Eventually, just seeing the alarm clock makes her anxious.
Student Answer: “The alarm ringing is the conditioned stimulus (CS).”
Task: Write Correct or Incorrect.
Incorrect — the alarm ringing is the unconditioned stimulus (US); seeing the clock is the CS.
During a surprise fire drill, Carlos’s heart races, and he feels alert and ready to react quickly. Which neurotransmitter is responsible for his fight-or-flight response?
What is Norepinephrine?
This reveals brain activity via blood flow.
What is an f.M.R.I. (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)?
This part of the brain deals with maintenance activities in the body
What is the Hypothalamus?
A patient in the hospital has trouble regulating their heartbeat and breathing automatically.
Question: Which brain part is likely involved?
What is Medulla oblongata
Max gives his dog a treat whenever he says “sit.” Eventually, the dog sits when he hears “sit,” even before getting a treat.
Student Answer: “The word ‘sit’ is the unconditioned stimulus (US).”
Task: Write Correct or Incorrect.
Answer: Incorrect — the word “sit” is the conditioned stimulus (CS); the treat is the US.
Emma is feeling anxious before a big test. A calming neurotransmitter helps slow down her nervous system and reduces anxiety. Which neurotransmitter is this?
What is GABA?