Go to the NEUROSCIENCE FOR KIDS page at http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html.
Use the following questions to navigate through the pages. Record the information to the questions as you find it.
1. On the "Neuroscience For Kids" homepage, scroll down to the Table Of Contents. Click on the colored words, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." This will bring you to a variety of topics. Scroll down to the section on "THE BRAIN." Click on the colored words "DIVISIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Answer the following questions from the information there...
What are the two major subdivisions of the nervous system?
______________________ nervous system ______________________ nervous system
What is another name for a "nerve cell"? ______________________
What two structures make up the central nervous system?____________________________________
About how much does the brain weigh?__________________
About how many nerve cells are in the brain? _________________
2. From this page click on the colored words, "BRAIN FACTS AND FIGURES." Using the data on this page, answer the following questions:
What animal has the largest brain? _____________________________
What animal has the smallest brain?_____________________________
Does brain size correlate to intelligence? __________________
3. Go back to the page, "DIVISIONS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM." Scroll down to the "HEAR IT" section. Play the words, AMYGDALA, CEREBELLUM, AND DIENCEPHALON. Try to say these words yourself!!!
Continue scrolling down to the section called "BRAIN STRUCTURES"
Where is the cerebral cortex located? ____________________________
What is a groove in the cortex called? _____________________________
What is a bump in the cortex called? ____________________________
What is one area of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning? _____________________
Label the parts of the brain pictured below:
What are the four major lobes of the brain?
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
What happened to Phineas Gage?_______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored words, "ONE BRAIN OR TWO?"
Name two functions that are dominant on the left brain side of the brain.
________________________________________________________________
The right side of the brain?
________________________________________________________________
What structure connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres?__________________________________
What side of the brain controls language in most people?__________________________
List 4 famous left-handed folks
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6. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored words, "HE BRAINS, SHE BRAINS."
Is the proportion of brain weight to body weight different for men and women? __________________
What happens to mens' brains as they age?______________________________
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7. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored words, "BRAIN DEVELOPMENT."
When does the nervous system begin to form?_______________________________________
8. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored words, "THE VENTRICLES AND CSF."
What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?_______________________________________________________________
Name at least 2 functions of CSF.___________________________________________________________________
9. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored words, "THE BRAIN DURING SLEEP."
What instrument is used to measure brain activity?___________________________________
About how much of your life do you spend asleep?________________________
What does REM stand for?______________________________________________
10. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored words, "BRAIN FITNESS - YOUR GUIDE TO GOOD HEALTH."
List three tips given on this page for good health.
___________________________________________________________________
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11. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored words, "THE BRAIN VS. THE COMPUTER."
Which sends signals faster, a brain or a computer?_____________________
12. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored words, "WHAT BECAME OF EINSTEIN'S BRAIN?"
When did Einstein die?_________________________________________
Who removed his brain?_________________________________________
Where is the brain now?____________________________________________
13. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says, "THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored word "ALCOHOL."
What kind of drug is alcohol?__________________
What term is given to drugs that kill brain cells?__________________
14. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says, "THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored word "CAFFEINE."
Which soft drink has the most caffeine per serving?__________________
What are two negative side effects of caffeine?__________________________________________________
15. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says, "THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored word "COCAINE."
Is cocaine an addicting drug?__________________What organ does it affect other than the brain? __________________
16. Go back to the page, "EXPLORE THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says, "THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM." Click on the colored word "MARIJUANA." Scroll down and click on the colored words, "MARIJUANA: FACTS FOR TEENS."
List two short-term effects of marijuana use:__________________________________________________
List two possible long-term effects of marijuana use:__________________________________________________
What effects may marijuana have on the babies of pregnant women who smoke marijuana? _____________________________________________________________
17. Open the The Split Brain Experiment ( http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/split-brain/ )
What exactly is a "split brain" _____________________________________
Describe a person with a split brain: ________________________________________________________
18. For Fun (if time permits)
Memory Games -- http://www.zefrank.com/memory/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/reallywild/fun/games/memory_game/
Brain Games - http://www.gamesforthebrain.com/
Eyetricks Games - http://www.eyetricks.com/braingames.htm
Psychological Tests - http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/