The story of Phineas Gage

How his tragic story lead to new scientific discoveries about the human brain!!

Answer the following in your comp book1.How did Phineas Gage change after the

accident?2. How did Phineas Gage’s accident change

scientists’ understanding of the brain

2 parts◦CNS = Central Nervous system◦PNS = Peripheral Nervous system

1. Brain◦ Average brain = 3-4 lbs.◦ 100 billion nerve cells (neurons)

2. Spinal Cord◦ Housed by vertebral column

Leading out from the CNS to specific parts of the body

1. Nerves 31 pairs of spinal nerves branch off to the

body2. Receptors3. Muscles 4. Glands

1. Reptilian – most primitive2. Limbic – emotions3. Cerebrum – most

advanced

Name the 2 parts of your NERVOUS SYSTEM What two things make up your CENTRAL

NS? What 4 things make up your PERIPHERAL

NS? Name the 3 main regions of the brain

Midbrain – vision, hearing

Pons –consciousness, sleep

Medulla oblongata – heart rate & breathing

(vital signs)

Functions below level of conscious thought Involuntary

◦ Coordination◦ Balance

May play a role in schizophrenia, ADHD, autism, and other psychiatric disorders

Communication between right and left brain

Electrical signal problems cause epilepsy

◦Primitive emotions such as fear and danger

◦Thirst, hunger

Sensory integration Spatial sense

Amygdala: ◦ “decodes” emotions, especially anything

threatening

Hippocampus: ◦ Learning◦ Emotional memories…FEAR◦ Video: start at 3:30

*Hippocampus and amygdala work together to produce anxiety and related disorders

Most advanced – conscious brain

Largest part of the brain◦ Intelligence/Reasoning◦ Memory◦ Language◦ Personality ◦ Senses

Divided into 2 halves◦Left & Right brain

Surface is greatly folded to increase surface area

LEFT BRAIN:logical, rational, analytical

RIGHT BRAIN:Creative, random, intuitive

LIST the 3 main parts of the BRAIN Name the brain part:

◦ Thirst/hunger◦ Vision, hearing◦ Anxiety ◦ Fear ◦ Sensory integration◦ Coordination/balance◦ Vital signs◦ Schizophrenia, autism, etc.◦ Right/left connection◦ Consciousness, sleep◦ Intelligence, reasoning

Dancer : right/left brain

EXTRA CREDIT OP: left / right brain quiz