Your BrainYour Brain

The Adult Human brainThe Adult Human brain

Neurons = Neurons = brain cells that regulate brain cells that regulate all our thinkingall our thinking

There are There are 100+ billion100+ billion neurons in neurons in the brainthe brain

Neurons communicate with each Neurons communicate with each other when electrical impulses fire other when electrical impulses fire chemicalschemicals (neurotransmitters)(neurotransmitters) across spaces called across spaces called synapsessynapses

About About 500 trillion500 trillion synapses all over synapses all over our brainour brain

Cell BodyCell Body AxonAxon DendriteDendrite SynapseSynapse

Parts of a NeuronParts of a Neuron

Cell Body (Red)

The cell body The cell body contains contains

all the all the DNA/genetic DNA/genetic information information for the cell.for the cell.

The cell body The cell body forms the forms the

message and message and interprets interprets

messages.messages.

Axon and Terminals Axon and Terminals (PURPLE)(PURPLE)

Axons act like a telephone wire, Axons act like a telephone wire, sendingsending information to other neurons.information to other neurons.

Axons vary in length; some can be up to 3 Axons vary in length; some can be up to 3 feet long.feet long.

Mature axons are covered with an Mature axons are covered with an insulated coating, that looks like sausage insulated coating, that looks like sausage links, called links, called myelinmyelin..

Dendrites and Spines Dendrites and Spines (GREEN)(GREEN)

Neurons have tiny branches called Neurons have tiny branches called dendrites (means “little tree”).dendrites (means “little tree”).

Dendrites receive information similar to an Dendrites receive information similar to an antenna.antenna.

The number of dendrites on a neuron The number of dendrites on a neuron varies from a few hundred to thousands.varies from a few hundred to thousands.

Synaptic Gap (YELLOW)Synaptic Gap (YELLOW)

Neurons don’t actually touch – there is a Neurons don’t actually touch – there is a tiny space between them – called the tiny space between them – called the ““synaptic gap” or “synapse”synaptic gap” or “synapse”

NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters are chemical are chemical messengers which are released into the messengers which are released into the gap. These chemicals carry messages gap. These chemicals carry messages around the brain.around the brain.

Now for the coloring…. Now for the coloring….

Turn to the diagramTurn to the diagramColors Needed – Red, Green, Purple, Colors Needed – Red, Green, Purple,

YellowYellow

Color

the

Cell

Body

RED

Color theColor theAxon and Axon and terminals terminals PURPLEPURPLE

Color the Color the Dendrites Dendrites GREENGREEN

Color theColor theSynaptic Synaptic

Gap Gap YELLOWYELLOW

How neurons transmit informationHow neurons transmit information

The axon sends a message through a series The axon sends a message through a series of of electrical impulseselectrical impulses..

When the impulses reach the end of the When the impulses reach the end of the axon, a axon, a chemical messengerchemical messenger is is stimulated and it carries the message to stimulated and it carries the message to another brain cell. another brain cell.

A single neuron can fire up to A single neuron can fire up to 50,00050,000 times times a minute if necessary!a minute if necessary!

When each part of the brain matures

Early childhood:brain stemcerebellumsensory cortex

Puberty:limbic system

Late adolescence:prefrontal cortex

Survival Brain (brain stem)Survival Brain (brain stem)

Safety and survivalSafety and survival “Autonomic” nervous

system – this means the involuntary stuff that happens in out bodies heart beat, breathing etc…

Subconscious mind - the thoughts we have without even knowing it…

Autopilot; the behaviors we do without even thinking about them…

Reflexes - freeze/flight/fight response etc…

Feeling Brain (limbic system)Feeling Brain (limbic system)The Pleasure CenterThe Pleasure Center

Limbic System subconscious mind – those

things we don’t even know we are thinking, not even aware of this….

sends and receives emotional signals – emotions are your brain’s way of telling you something

pleasure/pain response

long-term memory and learning

Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer

(prefrontal cortex)(prefrontal cortex) “The BOSS” imagination conscious mind – what you

know you are thinking about purposely – you are aware of

higher-level thinking attention and

concentration short-term memory emotional regulation –

helps you balance out the emotions you are feeling

Chief Executive OfficerChief Executive Officer(prefrontal cortex)(prefrontal cortex)

The prefrontal cortex acts as the The prefrontal cortex acts as the Chief Chief Executive OfficerExecutive Officer of the entire system and of the entire system and

regulatesregulates how we think, feel and behave how we think, feel and behave..

full demo sheep brain - YouTube

Decision Making and The Brain

Because the prefrontal cortex isn’t all the way developed during adolescence, it is really important to put some conscious effort into making good decisions.

Otherwise, your decision TEND to be based on Emotion – from your Limbinc System

Here is a GREAT STRATEGY!!

THE DECIDE METHOD

Define the problemExplore the AlternativesConsider the consequencesIdentify your valuesDecide and ActEvaluate the Results

DEFINE THE PROBLEMDEFINE THE PROBLEM

State the issue clearly.

EXPLORE THE EXPLORE THE ALTERNATIVESALTERNATIVES

Make a list of all possible options for solving your problem- think of at least 4

CONSIDER THE CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCESCONSEQUENCES

For each option listed above-think through what might happen if you were to choose each alternative you have listed. Include both the positive and the negative results.

IDENTIFY YOUR VALUESIDENTIFY YOUR VALUES What are the things that you believe

in strongly. Which choice is most in line with your values.

DECIDE AND ACTDECIDE AND ACTDecide which one is best for you. Act on

your decision.

How did your decision work out? How has it affected your life and others? What did you learn? If you could do it all over again, would you do it differently?

EVALUATE YOUR EVALUATE YOUR RESULTSRESULTS

Think of two problems or decisions you have had in your life – or make some up –

and do the following….

Solve one problem with a partner – Solve one problem with a partner – complete the problem solving worksheet complete the problem solving worksheet using the decide method. Turn in.using the decide method. Turn in.

HOMEWORK: Solve one problem on your HOMEWORK: Solve one problem on your own.own.

Turn in tomorrow Turn in tomorrow