Organization of the Brain

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Organization of the Brain
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Plasticity of the Brain

• The brain has an amazing ability to change and
  adapt to facilitate our needs.
• Like muscles the brain can develop itself where
  it need to. (The example of the somatosensory
  cortex being enlarged when someone is a musician
  and they need great dexterity in their fingers.)

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• 2. The brain can reorganize pathways. If damage
  is done to nerve tissues and it isnt receiving
  information the brain will divert the neurons to
  work on some other part. (This includes damage to
  the brain itself)

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• 3. The brain can generate new neurons.

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Disclaimer

• Plasticity is limited
• With severe brain damage there are limits to how
  much the brain can rewire
• Unfortunately as you grow older there are limits
  to how many new cells are generated

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Endocrine System
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Endocrine System

• The endocrine system is made up of numerous
  glands that are located throughout the body.
  These glands secrete various chemicals, called
  hormones, which affect organs, muscles and other
  glands in the body.

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• Even though hormones are very similar to
  neurotransmitters, there are some basic
  differences
• Neurotransmitters messages are transmitted short
  distances with lightning speed
• Hormones are transmitted over a greater distance
  at a much slower rate.
• Unlike the target specific neurotransmitter the
  hormone often targets many cells, and organs

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Hypothalamus

• Is often called the control center of the
  endocrine system
• The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland

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Pituitary Gland

• Sometimes known as the master gland
• Is located directly below the hypothalamus
• Is divided into 2 parts
• Posterior Regulates water and salt balance
• (A dysfunction in the gland can cause a less
  common form of diabetes)

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• Anterior Pituitary Regulates growth, also
  produces hormones that control the adrenal
  cortex, pancreas, thyroid and gonads
• (Dysfunction Too little growth hormone
  produces dwarfism too much causes gigantism)

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Pancreas

• This organ regulates the level of sugar in the
  bloodstream by secreting the hormone insulin
• The under or over production of insulin can cause
  the more common form of diabetes

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Thyroid

• Is located in the neck
• The Largest of the glands
• Regulates metabolism
• It produces the hormone Thyroxin.
• (Dysfunction Hormone deficiency during
  development leads to stunted growth and mental
  retardation. Under secretion during adulthood
  leads to reduction of motivation. Over secretion
  results in high metabolism, weight loss and
  nervousness)

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Adrenal Glands

• Adrenal Cortex (Outside) regulate sugar and salt
  balances and help body reduce stress, they are
  responsible for the growth of pubic hair
  (secondary sex characteristic)
• The Adrenal Medulla (inside part) they produce 2
  hormones that arouse the body and help us deal
  with stress
• Epinephrine (adrenaline)
• Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

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Gonads

• In females, the ovaries produce hormones that
  regulate sexual development, ovulation, and
  growth of sex organs
• In males, the testes produce hormones that
  regulate sexual development, production of sperm,
  and growth of sex organs
• Dysfunction lack of sex hormone during puberty
  results in lack of secondary sexual
  characteristics (facial and body hair, muscles in
  males, breasts in females)

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Hemispheric Specialization

• Left
• Language, reading, writing, spelling
• Mathematical
• Analytic
• Recognizing Self
• (Memories, understanding of oneself)

• Right
• Although mute, the right has a childlike ability
  to read, write and understand speech
• Spatial
• Holistic The right combines parts into a
  meaningful whole
• Recognizing others

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The End