Module+3+Brain’s+Building+Blocks

=The Neuron= The neuron is of great importance; it's the transporter of messages inside the brain. For a fairly good explanation of this important building block of the brain, see [|The Neuron].

Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology on the Internet.: http://www.neuropat.dote.hu/. The disease featured in this module is Alzheimer's. Many organizations serve as support for the sufferers of Alz's (and other problems) and their families. http://www.alz.org - The Alzheimer's Association http://www.spinalcord.org - The National Spinal Cord Injury Association http://www.parkinson.org - The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.
 * From the Publisher**


 * Read pp. 47-56** of //Introduction to Psychology.//

The video below is required viewing for psychology students in Introductory Psychology. This is a very good series narrated by a very popular American psychologist, Phil Zombardo. The episode you want to watch is //The Behaving Brain.// [|Understanding Research from Discovering Psychology]
 * Video**

//**Raging Bull**// This is the story of a boxer. The experience of too many punches to the head may have been a factor in his poor judgment explored in the film. media type="youtube" key="YiVOwxsa4OM?fs=1" height="221" width="359" = =
 * The Movies for this Module**
 * 1) What happens to the brain of a fighter when he (or she) is knocked out (KO'ed)?
 * 2) Is the headgear worn by amateur boxers effective in protecting against head injury?
 * 3) The American Academy of Neurology has supported a ban on professional boxing since 1983. Do you agree with that position? Why or why not?

=**The Physics of Taking a Punch and Brain Injury**= In keeping with the film mentioned above's theme, we will be looking at brain injury from sport, specifically combat sports.

[|Brain Injury Animation in Detail] [|Traumatic Brain Injury] - check this site out. It's interactive and allows you to see how trauma can affect the brain.


 * Brain Injury Assignment: [[file:Module Brain InjuryBrain .pages]]**

= **Neural Damage** = For each of the following scenarios decide: =
 * 1) Damage was to the CNS or PNS?
 * 2) Which neurons showed damage? Interneurons, Efferent and Afferent Neurons.
 * 3) What sensory or motor limitations were caused by this damage? List.
 * 4) What is the likelihood that the person will recover this functioning? GOOD FAIR POOR CAN'T TELL
 * 5) Explain why you rated the recovery of function this way.
 * __Scenarios__**

How do drugs impact on neurons (and the brain).=

You and members of your group will demonstrate how a particular drug impacts on the brain. Each team will have four members. You must demonstrate how neurotransmitters respond when a drug is introduced into the brain. Make use of the websites below to create your demonstration. In this module we want to understand how alcohol and some drugs affect the neurons (and ultimately the person the consumes them). For an idea about this see [|How Drugs Work]. For our in-class assignment, //"Acting Out How Drugs Affect the Brain// (and nervous system), see this website and scroll down to the section, 'The Effect of Drugs on the Nervous System'. [|Neuroscience for Kids]