Introduction to Organismal Biology (BIOL221) - Dr. S.G. Saupe; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/

Within the Human Brain � A University of California � Berkeley Video

 As you watch the video, answer the following questions.  With a few exceptions, the questions follow the sequence of topics in the video.

1. What is the texture/consistency of a 'fresh'  brain?

2. There are essentially three coverings of the brain.   
   What is the outermost layer of the brain?  What is its function?
   What is the middle layer?  
   Identify the innermost layer. 

3. Cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid that helps cushion the brain from shock.  How much is produced daily? ______   Identify the contents of this fluid?  Where is this fluid produced?

4. Brain 'folding' is another example of surface/volume ratios.  Explain.  If the folds of the brain were flattened out, how much surface area would it cover? 

5. The terms gyrus and sulcus refers to the hills and valleys of the folds.  Which is which?

6.  Do all vertebrates have the same degree of folding?

7. What is the function of the hindbrain?

8. What is the function of the frontal lobe?

9. What is the function of the temporal lobe?

10. What is the function of the occipital lobe?

11. Brain fibers cross in the brain.  Name the area in which they cross-over.  Offer a suggestion why the left side of the brain controls functions on the right side.

12. The hemispheres are made of gray matter and white matter.  Which parts of the neuron are found in the gray matter?  Which parts of the neurons are found in the white matter? 

13. Why is the white matter white?

14. What is the function of the gray matter?

15. Identify a problem from the abuse of cocaine.

16. Identify the name of the 'holes' in the brain?  How many are found in a typical brain?

17. What is the function of the thalamus?

18. What are basal ganglia?

19. What is the function of the hippocampus?  For what creature was this structure named?

20. What is the function of the hypothalamus?

21. Were all parts of the brain of the little boy normal?