SMARTER UK – RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS

1. SMARTER UK – RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS Please feel free to use this PowerPoint presentation in the classroom. It is intended to support the KS3 & KS4 curriculum and the Scottish S3-S4 curriculum. KEY LEARNING: How we know how the brain works; from historical study to the use of contemporary technology, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Specific curriculum areas include: Scottish S3-S4 science Biological Systems - Body systems and Cells SCN 3-12b I have explored the role of technology in monitoring heath and improving the quality of life Topical Science SCN 3-20a I have collaborated with others to find and present information on how scientists from Scotland and beyond have contributed to innovative research and development SCN 4-20a I have researched new developments in science and can explain how their current of future applications might impact on modern life. • KS3 Science • Unit 1.2 Applications and implications of science • a) exploring how the creative application of scientific ideas can bring about technological developments and consequent changes in the way people think and behave • Unit 4 Curriculum opportunities • h) explore contemporary and historical scientific developments and how they have been communicated • KS4 science • How science works • Applications and implications of science • Pupils should be taught: • about the use of contemporary scientific and technological developments and their benefits, drawbacks and risks • c) how uncertainties in scientific knowledge and scientific ideas change over time and about the role of the scientific community in validating these changes.

2. Studying the brain How do we know how it works?

3. The brain Cerebral cortex Functions include: planning; reasoning; language; recognising sounds and images; memory. Corpus callosum connects the brain’s right and left hemispheres Brain stem regulates heart rate, breathing, sleep cycles and emotions Cerebellum important for coordination, precision and timing of movement Credit: Mark Lythgoe & Chloe Hutton, Wellcome Images different regions have different functions Smarter UK

4. Cerebral cortex different regions have different functions How do we know? sensory cortex motor cortex speech taste reading speech hearing vision smell Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images Smarter UK B0003275

5. through studying people with brain damage sensory cortex motor cortex In 1848, Phineas Gage (an American railroad construction foreman) accidentally fired a tamping iron (a large iron rod) through his head. Amazingly, he survived, but the injury dramatically changed his personality speech taste reading speech hearing vision smell Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images Smarter UK B0003275

6. through studying people with brain damage The French physician Paul Broca was very interested in speech sensory cortex motor cortex speech In 1861, Broca had a patient nick-named Tan, because “tan” was all he could say. taste reading After Tan died, Broca examined his brain and found a big lesion speech hearing He realised the location of this lesion was a part of the brain important for speech. vision smell The region is known as Broca’s area Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images Smarter UK B0003275

7. through the use of imaging technology B0003533 Credit Mark Lythgoe & Chloe Hutton, Wellcome Images Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sensory cortex motor cortex MRI can measure blood-flow changes in the brain. The active areas ‘light up’ speech taste MRI showing areas used for recognising faces reading speech hearing B0003534 Credit Mark Lythgoe & Chloe Hutton, Wellcome Images vision smell MRI showing the visual cortex Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images Smarter UK B0003275

8. through the use of imaging technology sensory cortex TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) motor cortex speech A very powerful magnet placed on the skull disrupts the brain signals in a very localised area for a very short time taste This can be used to find out which areas of the brain are important for which tasks. reading speech hearing If someone reciting a nursery rhyme has TMS on their left Broca’s area, they will stutter and stumble (but they will still be able to sing the rhyme as singing is controlled by the area on the other side) vision smell Eric Wassermann, National Institute of Health TMS is also being tested for treatment of severe depression Credit Heidi Cartwright, Wellcome Images Smarter UK