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INTERNET RESEARCH ON THE BRAIN
This lesson developed by Ms. Heather Jones, Einstein Middle School, Shoreline, WA

ANSWERS

What are the two major subdivisions of the nervous system?

CENTRAL nervous system

PERIPHERAL nervous system

What is another name for a "nerve cell"? NEURON

What two structures make up the central nervous system? BRAIN and SPINAL CORD

About how much does the brain weigh? 3 POUNDS (1.4 KG)

About how many nerve cells are in the brain? 86 BILLION

What animal has the largest brain? SPERM WHALE

What animal has the smallest brain? GREEN LIZARD

Does brain size correlate to intelligence? NO

Continue scrolling down to the section called "BRAIN STRUCTURES"

Where is the cerebral cortex located? OUTER LAYER OF THE BRAIN

What is a groove in the cortex called? SULCUS

What is a bump in the cortex called? GYRUS

What is one area of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning? HIPPOCAMPUS

Label the parts of the brain pictured below:

What are the four major lobes of the brain?

OCCIPITAL

PARIETAL

TEMPORAL

FRONTAL

What happened to Phineas Gage? ACCIDENTALLY HAD AN IRON ROD SHOT THROUGH HIS FRONTAL LOBE.

Name two functions that are dominant on the left brain side of the brain.

LANGUAGE; MATH; LOGIC

The right side of the brain?

SPATIAL ABILITIES; FACIAL RECOGNITION; MUSIC; VISUAL IMAGERY

What structure connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres? CORPUS CALLOSUM

What side of the brain controls language in most people? LEFT

List 5 famous left-handed folks

BILL CLINTON; MARILYN MONROE; JIMMY CONNORS; RONALD REAGAN; GEORGE BUSH; MANY OTHERS...

Is the proportion of brain weight to body weight different for men and women?NO

What happens to mens' brains as they age? SHRINKS FASTER THAN WOMENS' BRAINS When does the nervous system begin to form? 16TH DAY OF DEVELOPMENT What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)? FLUID THAT BATHES THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Name at least 2 functions of CSF.

PROTECTION OF BRAIN; BUOYANCY OF BRAIN; EXCRETION OF WASTE PRODUCTS; ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONS

What instrument is used to measure brain activity? ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH

About how much of your life do you spend asleep? ONE THIRD

What does REM stand for? RAPID EYE MOVEMENT

List three tips given on this page for good health.

WEAR SEATBELTS; WEAR HELMET; STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS; CROSSWALK SAFETY; SPORT SAFETY; STAY AWAY FROM GUNS; EAT RIGHT; DISPOSE OF CHEMICAL PROPERLY

Which sends signals faster, a brain or a computer? COMPUTER

When did Einstein die? APRIL 18, 1955

Who removed his brain? DR. THOMAS S. HARVEY Where is the brain now? PART CUT UP AND STUDIED; OTHER PIECES BACK AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

What kind of drug is alcohol? DEPRESSANT

What term is given to drugs that kill brain cells? NEUROTOXIN

Which soft drink has the most caffeine per serving? JOLT

What are two negative side effects of caffeine? HEADACHES; DIZZINES; ALTERED SLEEP PATTERNS

Is cocaine an addicting drug? YES

What organ does it affect other than the brain? HEART

List two short-term effects of marijuana use: MEMORY AND LEARNING PROBLEMS; PERCEPTUAL DISTORTION; PROBLEMS WITH THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING; LOSS OF COORDINATION, HEART RATE CHANGES; ANXIETY

List two possible long-term effects of marijuana use: CANCER; LUNG DAMAGE; IMMUNE SYSTEM PROBLEMS

What effects may marijuana have on the babies of pregnant women who smoke marijuana? LOW BIRTH WEIGHT; SMALLER HEAD SIZE

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BACK TO: Exploring the Nervous System Table of Contents

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