Assignment: Brain and nervous system
Assignment: Brain and nervous system
See the attached Brain Cases lab. You will identify the parts of the brain or nervous system affected in each case.
On the lab worksheet, identify:
the specific area or cortex (first column) of the specific lobe or system (second column), and whether the damage is on the left or right side or both sides, or not applicable (third column).
Remember to identify a specific area of the brain affected in each case. Answer such as “the cerebral cortex” is too general, and not specific enough.
Brain Cases
Identify specific affected locations –
Put N/A if not applicable
Area/Cortex Lobe/System
Hemisphere
(left, right, both, n/a)
1. Julia had a brain infection and a high fever at age two. By age 10 she began having spells of terror, fright, sometimes accompanied by aggression. Where was her brain lesion located?
2. John received a head injury in an automobile accident several months ago. For a while he had a great deal of motor dysfunction, but most of this has now abated, except for a mild paralysis of his left hand. Where was the probable location of the damage causing this paralysis?
3. Lunar Module pilot Edwin Aldrin reported seeing mysterious flashes of light during the Apollo 11 mission. The visual display apparently resulted from high energy particles (cosmic rays) passing through these portions of what part of his brain?
4. After an apparent overdoes of drugs and alcohol Karen Quinlan stopped breathing for several minutes, incurring extensive brain damage. Loss must have been severe in the arousal area of the brain, for she remained in a prolonged coma. Where might the damage be that prevented her from regaining consciousness?
5. Ben reported that the seizures he experiences are usually preceded by an “aura” which involves the sensation of something touching his right leg. Where is her epileptic “focus” likely to be?
6. Harry, a 33 year old executive, suffered a stroke that left him without the ability to speak. The stroke probably cut the blood supply to what area?
Brain Cases
Identify specific affected locations –
Put N/A if not applicable
Area/Cortex Lobe/System
Hemisphere
(left, right, both, n/a)
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7. Polly had a rare and severe form of epilepsy that could not be controlled by medication. Surgery stopped the seizures but seemed to have little effect on her everyday thinking, talking, and acting. Although she has not lost her sense of touch, in the laboratory she is unable to name common objects that were hidden from view but placed in her left hand. Where was the surgical lesion located?
8. During an operation for the removal of a brain scare the surgeon stimulated the brain with an electrode. The patient reported that she heard music. Where was the electrode placed?
9. Anoxia (lack of oxygen) during birth left Kevin rather uncoordinated. His movements are jerky rather than smooth. His brain damage is probably located here:
10. Barbara is walking home from the nearby convenience store when she begins to think that someone is following her. Soon, she realizes that there is a man behind her wearing a ski mask. She begins to run and fids (to her surprise and relief) that she is able to move amazingly fast! She out-runs the man and makes it safely home thanks to her:
