Throughout the past two weeks we have been discussing everything from neural communication to parts of the brain and their functions. We have examined the importance of the various functions of the brain and how much of a role it plays in not only our survival, but daily functioning in society as well. Although it is encased in the skull, the brain is susceptible to injury.
You assignment: On page 93 in your textbook, there is a free-response question. Instead of five paragraphs and scenarios, I only need three. Make sure your description is thorough and quality. This assignment is
due Saturday August 27th by midnight. I look forward to reading your responses on Sunday.
Paul is an honors student who prides himself on his success in school. One day he finished his homework early and decided to go play Ultimate Frisbee with his friends at the turf field next to the school. The game turned into a close one and Paul had an opportunity to win the game when Jamaal sent a very fast and long pass into the end zone. Paul followed the Frisbee to the back of the end zone and barely caught it as he dove into the gravel. When Paul got up he had blood rushing down his face and Sidney pointed out that a metal shard had pierced his skull. He went to the Emergency Room and got treatment and received no side effects until school the next day when his teacher asked him to read aloud for the class. Paul was able to understand and comprehend the text; however, he was not able to read the text aloud. Paul had received damage to the angular gyrus and was experiencing aphasia.
ReplyDeleteCasey is the starting striker for the high school soccer team. In the 68th minute of the game she went up for a header in the box. The goalie came out and punched the ball out of play. Unfortunately the goalie made contact with Casey's head when punching the ball out. Casey suffered a mild concussion and was immediately taken off of the field and to a hospital. Casey's parents rushed to hospital to see how their daughter was holding up. The mom walked into the Emergency room quietly and when Casey opened her eyes she began screaming, "Help there is a stranger in my room." Casey's dad ran down the hallway of the hospital and yelled out to Casey. When he got to the room Casey recognized him but not her mother. Casey recieved damage to her fusiform gyrus, which is responsible for facial recognition. Casey was unable to recognize her mother's face, but was able to recognize her father's voice.
Rashaad is the captain of the baseball team. He plays shortstop and his team has won the inner-city championship three consecutive years. In the first game of the play-offs Rashaad was up to bat in the third inning. After two strikes right down the middle, the pitcher slipped up and threwa steamer at Rashaad and hit him in the right ear. The trainer to a good look at Rashaad and did not think the injury was serious so he was cleared to keep playing in the game. At the beginning of the ninth inning Rashaad looked at the scoreboard and noted the score. Two outs later he walked over to third base and asked Mike what the score was. Rashaad received damage to his right hippocampus. The hippocampus records mainly explicit memories and damage to the hippocampus disrupts some of these memories. In particular, the right hippocampus recalls visual memories which is why Rashaad could not remember the score after looking at the scoreboard.
-J.P.M.