Today, we were very lucky to have a student from Leeds University come into school to teach us all about the brain.
The brain is where we do our thinking. All our senses are tied into our brain allowing us to experience the outside world. We remember, have emotions, solve problems, worry about things, dream about the future, and control our bodies in our brain. Using a model, the children studied the different sections of this awesome organ.
How does the brain communicate?
The brain is part of the nervous system. Together with the spinal cord, it makes up the central nervous system. The brain connects to nerves that travel throughout the body. Nerves from our senses (hearing, seeing, touch, etc) send signals to the brain to let the brain know what is going on in the outside world. The brain also sends signals using nerves to muscles in order to make our body move.
Year 4 made their own models of a neuron using pipe cleaners. The human body is made up of trillions of cells. Cells of the nervous system, called nerve cells or neurons, are specialized to carry messages around the body. The human brain has approximately 86 billion neurons!
Test your brains.
What does the brain do?
- store memories
- form emotions
- solve problems
- control the body
- all of the above
Which of the following is NOT a function that is controlled by the brain stem?
- breathing
- digestion
- vision
- heart rate
- blinking
Which of the following should you do to keep your brain healthy?
- eat healthily
- exercise
- drink lots of water
- do challenging activities, such as puzzles, reading, playing music, making art, or anything else that gives your brain a workout
- all of the above
How did you do?