The External Brain

Unit 2: Bio Basis of Behavior

Lesson 3

Objectives:

Distinguish between characteristics of the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Identify the location and function of the four lobes of the brain.

Locate the specialized association areas of the cerebral cortex.

Cerebral Cortex & Cerebrum

Wrinkled coveringGyri- bumpsSulci- grooves, fissures

Hemispheres2 halves of brain (L-R)

Corpus CallosumWide band of nerve

fibers connecting hemispheres

Lateralization

Roger Sperry (1960s)

Each hemisphere is responsible for different mode of thinking…we prefer one over another.

Left Brain/Right Brain/Whole Brain Test

Write down which of the pair best describes you… Names Faces Organized

Spontaneous Realistic Fantasy Logic Intuition Well-structured Open-ended Language Picture Creative Not

creative Humorous Serious Details Main Idea Systematic Plans Exploration Vegetables Fruits Micromanage Delegate Emotional Reserved

All left hand options = right brain behaviors / preferences

All right hand options = left brain behaviors / preferences

Split Brain Damage

Corpus CallosotomySever C2 , reducing

communication between 2 hemispheres

HemispherectomyRemoval or disabling of

entire cerebral hemisphere

Split Brain Experiments

Chimeric Figures

Info from r visual field to l hemisphere and vice versa

Say if man/woman? Language = Left = Man

Point to man/woman? Visual = Right = Woman

Frontal Lobe

Front of cerebral cortex (blue)

“Executive Director” Reasoning, planning,

coordination, problem solving, working memory

Emotion, socialization, personality, sexuality

Motor movement

Parietal Lobe

Behind central fissure (green)

Sensation and perceptionTouch, temp,

pain, location of limbs

Number relationsObject

Manipulation

Occipital Lobe

In rear portion of cortex (yellow)

Visual processing center

Temporal Lobe

On sides of cortex (pink)

Auditory Processing, memory formation, language comprehension, taste & smell

Association Areas

Involved in higher mental functions.Interpret, integrate, act on incoming info.

Closure

Which side of the brain…dominates in left-handed pitcher?dominates in right-handed batter?Better able to use info that is heard?Better able to use info that is seen?Shows a wide range of emotion?Better at tasks involving creativity?Better at tasks involving application?