The Integrated Brain

Created by: Professor HokersonAmerican River College

Last Updated: Spring 2013

Module B Lesson 1 Tutorial

Using this Tutorial

• Use the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen.

• Click on hyperlinks when prompted.

• Have fun and learn!

Table of Contents (TOC)• Objectives

• Module B Objective #6

• Action Items• Neural Plasticity• Enriched Environments• Brain Lateralization• Split Brain Studies

• Brain Localization• The Story of Phineas Gage

• Conclusions

MODULE B OBJECTIVES

By the end of this tutorial you will be able to…

#7– Discuss the brain as an integrated system, using the research on neurogenesis, neural plasticity, brain lateralization, split brain studies, and Phineas Gage.

ACTION ITEMS

Fun Facts About the Brain!• Read: Check out these fun facts about the brain!

Neural Plasticity• “the brain’s ability to change structure and function”

(Hockenbury and Hockenbury, 2013)

• Structural Plasticity• More dendrites, more synaptic connections• Observable, physical differences in the brain

• Functional Plasticity• Shifting function from one structure/region to another• Retraining the brain to recover lost function

• Read: Chapter 2 – The Dynamic Brain, Neurogenesis, and Juggling and Brain Plasticity (pages 63 - 66)

Enriched Environments• Read: Chapter 2 – Maximizing Your Brain’s Potential

(pages 81 – 83)

• Summarize: How was structural plasticity evident in this study?

• Question: How did these structural changes improve cognitive functioning?

Neurogenesis Dendrites Neurons

Hippocampus

Brain Lateralization• Read: Chapter 2 – Specialization in the Cerebral Hemispheres

(pages 73 – 78)

• Tip! “Brain lateralization” and “hemispheric specialization” are the same thing! Both address how each hemisphere is localized for function.

• Activities: Click here to go through an tutorial on Hemispheric Specialization.

• Watch! • Go to our textbook site http://www.worthpublishers.com/hockenbury6e

• Click on Chapter 2: Neuroscience and Behavior Split Brain Part 1• Animations: Split-Brain Functioning, part 1• Animations: Split-Brain Functioning, part 2• Animations: Split-Brain Functioning, part 3

Brain Localization• Definition: “the notion that different functions are located or localized

in different areas of the brain” (Hockenbury and Hockenbury, 2013)

• Activity: Outline the structures, regions, and systems of the brain – what are their functions?

THE BRAINSTEM THE FOREBRAIN

Hindbrain Midbrain Cortex Limbic System

PonsCerebellum

Reticular FormationMedulla

Substantia Negra Corpus CallosumFrontal Lobe

Temporal LobeParietal LobeOccipital Lobe

HippocampusThalamus

HypothalamusAmygdala

The Story of Phineas Gage• Watch! How famous is Phineas Gage? He even made it

into an episode of House!

• Review: Chapter 2 – The Famous Case of Phineas Gage (page 70)

• Question: What did researchers learn about the brain from this famous case?

Conclusions

• The brain has many parts to it!• The cerebrum is organized into lobes.• Below the cerebrum are many structures and systems.

• Each part is localized for function.• The lobes, structures, and systems are responsible for specific

functions.• Damage to these parts can result in impairment.

• However the brain is an integrated system!• These many parts communicate with each other to create our daily

experiences!

MODULE B OBJECTIVES

After completing this tutorial you should now be able to…

#7– Discuss the brain as an integrated system, using the research on neural plasticity, brain lateralization, and localization.