Learning Objectives
The Students Will:

Understand how biology contributes to the creation of unique individuals.
Appreciate the complex interplay between the brain, behavior, and environment.
Understand the formation and functions of motor,sensory, and inter neurons.
Identify the structures and functions of the central, peripheral,and autonomic nervous system.
Understand the endocrine system's contribution to psychology's biological system.
Identify the form and function of key brain structures.
Understand the impact of damage to the brain from both physical and chemical trauma.

 

Biological Essential Vocabulary

 

 

Neurons

 

Action Potential
  The change in electrical potential associated with the passage of an impulse along the membrane of a muscle cell or nerve cell.

Axon
   The part of the Neuron where the action potential takes place.

Agonist
   A chemical that binds to a receptor and activates the receptor by mimicking a neurotransmitter.

Antagonist
   A chemical that prevents the uptake of the neurotransmitter by blocking the receptor.

Dendrite
   A short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body.

Interneurons
   Neurons that transmit messages within the central nervous system.

Motor Neurons
   Takes information from the brain to the muscles.
Myelin Sheath
   An electrical insulation to speed the action potential.

Neuron
   Specialized nerve cell.

Neurotransmitter
   Chemical messenger released by terminals of neuron which cross between the synapses of neurons.

Nucleus
   Control center of cell

Receptors
   Parts of a neuron that receive data from nerves and other neurons in electrical form.

Sensory Neurons
   Neurons that transmit messages from the sense receptors to the brain.

Synapse
   Small physical gap between 2 neurons.

Terminal Buds
   Located at the end of neuron and are responsible for sending the signal on to other neurons. At the end of the terminal button is a gap known as a synapse.

 

Neuron Worksheet

In class, we will be drawing, labeling, and defining the neuron. If you miss this day use the first worksheet to draw a neuron. Fill in the vocabulary and then draw a line from the word to where it is located on the diagram. The second worksheet will give you an idea of what to draw. Use Google if you need help.
  Bio Worksheet 01: The Neuron
  Bio Worksheet 02: Neuron drawing

 

Neuron Video

Professor Murphy's PsychoVox: Your Friend the Synaptic Gap

 

 

The Nervous Systems

 

Nervous System
  The body's speedy electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Central Nervous System
   The brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System
   The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Somatic Nervous System
   The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body's skeletal muscles. Also called the skeletal nervous system.

Autonomic Nervous System
   The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (such as the heart).

Sympathetic Nervous System
   Arouses the body to a state of fight or flight.

Parasympathetic Nervous System
   Calms the body for a state of rest and digest.

 

 

The Nervous Systems Worksheet

In class, we will be drawing, labeling, and defining the nervous systems. If you miss this day, use the following worksheet to make up the points and familiarize yourself with the vocabulary. Use Google if you need help completing the worksheet.
  Nervous Systems Worksheet

 

Endocrine System

 

Endocrine System
   The body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream.

Hypothalamus
   Regulates the autonomic nervous system by producing and releasing hormones.

Hormones
  Chemical messengers that are manufactured buy the endocrine glands, travel through the bloodstream, and affect other tissues.

Adrenal Glands
  Secretes adrenalin, also known as epinephrine, that help arouse the body in times of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.

Pancreas
  Secretes insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Pituitary Gland
  The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary controls other endocrine glands and releases HGH, Human Growth Hormone a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration in humans and other animals. It is thus important in human development.

Pineal Gland
  Releases melatonin, which helps the body recognize when it is time to go to sleep.

Thyroid
  Releases the thyroid hormones--triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine(T4)--that are primarily responsible for regulation of metabolism.

 

Endocrine Heroes Worksheet

In class, we will be using the endocrine system to create new superheroes. Each hero on this new super team will have a superpower associated with a different endocrine system formation. What type of superpower would someone have if they had a superpowered adrenal gland? or pancreas? or they got bit by a radioactive space thyroid from planet Thyroxine? Define what the formation does, give your hero a name and a secret identity name, describe what their superpowers are, and lastly draw a picture of what they look like. Use Google if you need further help.
  Endocrine Heroes Worksheet

 

 

Inside The Brain

 

Brain Stem
   Connects the brain to the spinal cord.
The Cerebellum
   Motor control and movement including balance, subtle movement, and equilibrium.
The Cerebral Cortex
   Complex thinking.
Corpus Callosum
   A large bundle of nerves that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
The Medulla
   Controls autonomic functions of the body, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

The Pons
   Regulates sleep and facial expressions.
Pituitary
   The master gland that rules over all the other glands.
Reticular Formation
   Helps us focus our attention, and regulates alertness and sleep.

 

Limbic System
   A group of brain structures that regulate basic emotions.

Amygdala
   Fear responses.

The Basal Ganglia
   Goal-directed control of voluntary movements and routine behaviors.

Cingulate Gyrus 
  Involved in processing emotions and behavior regulation.

Hippocampus
   Vital to the formation of long-term memory.

Hypothalamus
   Regulates the autonomic nervous system by producing and releasing hormones.
Thalamus
   Receives and relays sensory and motor inputs.

 

 

Inside the Brain Worksheet

In class, we will be drawing, labeling, and defining formations inside the brain. If you miss this day, use the Inside the Brain Worksheet to label and identify the functions of the formations. Color each structure to differentiate each part. Draw a line from the definition to the location of the corresponding location. The Internet will be a useful aid in completing this worksheet. Be sure to watch the Psych Files video that is embedded below. It will be a great help in memorizing the parts of the brain.
  Inside the Brain Worksheet

 

The Psych Files Episode 72 (video): Memorize the Parts of the Brain

This is the best video I have ever seen utilizing mnemonic devises to memorize the parts and functions of the brain.

 

 

 

Outside The Brain

 

Broca’s Area
   Responsible for speech production and language comprehension.

Frontal Lobes
   Reasoning, motor skills, higher level cognition, and expressive language.
Medial Longitudinal Fissure
   Separates the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
The Medulla
   Controls autonomic functions of the body, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Motor Cortex
   Regulates voluntary movements such as walking.
Occipital Lobes
   Processes what your eyes are seeing.
Parietal Lobes
   Processing tactile sensory information such as pressure, touch, and pain.
Prefrontal Cortex
   Controls executive functions.
Sensory Cortex
   Processes sensation, visual stimuli, and movement planning.
Temporal Lobes
   Processes memory, speech perception, and language skills.
Wernicke's area
   Understanding written and spoken speech.

 

Lesion
   A region in an organ or tissue that has suffered damage through injury, surgery, or disease, such as a blunt trauma, cancer, or tumor.

 

 

Outside the Brain Worksheet

In class, we will be drawing, labeling, and defining formations outside the brain. If you miss this day, use the Outside the Brain Worksheet to label and identify the functions of the formations. Color each structure to differentiate each part. Draw a line from the definition to the location of the corresponding location. Draw a lesion in your brain and label what happened. The Internet will be a useful aid in completing this worksheet.
  Outside the Brain Worksheet

 

 

 

 

NPR Audio: How Science Is Rewiring The Dyslexic Brain

 

League of Denial

[Click Here to Watch]
Frontline's 2013 expose of the NFL's problem and subsequent cover up of a biological degenerative disease that is associated with playing the game. Admitting the problem would result in the loss of billions. Ignoring the problem would result in the loss of players' mental health and quality of life.