WebQuest – Human Anatomy and Physiology Nervous System
Name:
Pd
We will be investigating the nervous system in this activity. 1st you will learn more about the anatomy and physiology of
nerve impulses so that you understand how the electrochemical impulse are conducted. Then, you will investigate the
central nervous system and specifically how the brain is structured and how it functions. Finally you will also take a
quick look at how traumatic brain injury can occur and how certain substances affect brain chemistry through the use of
PET scans.,
Directions: Follow the steps below to answer each question.
Pre-Synaptic and post-synaptic transmission
Type or click on the link below
http://tr.im/48n8r
Or you can type in http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/flash/synapse_1.swf
Go through the animation of a nerve impulse from the pre-synaptic neuron to the post-synaptic neuron and
answer the following questions.
1. What is the space in between the two neurons?
2. When the action potential reaches the terminal end of the pre-synaptic neuron how does it continue?
3. What does a neurotransmitter bind to when it crosses the synapse to the post-synaptic neuron? What
happens after it binds?
4. What stores neurotransmitters?
Anatomy of the Brain
Part 1
Type or click on the link below
http://tr.im/499sp
Or you can type in http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/kinser/Structure1.htmll
The cerebrum or cortex is the largest part of the human brain, associated with higher brain function such as
thought and action. The cerebral cortex is divided into four sections called "lobes": the frontal lobe, parietal lobe,
occipital lobe, and temporal lobe.
Created by J. Perry & K. Weiner
page 1
Revised :3/17/16
On the diagram below, label the four lobes of the cerebrum
Part 2
Type or click on the link below to go to pbs tour of the brain web site
http://tr.im/48n98
Or you can type inhttp://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/3d/index.html
Explore the brain by area and answer the following questions.
1. Where is the cerebellum located?
a. What does it control?
2. Where does the parietal lobe receive its impulses?
a. What information does it process?
3. How does the temporal lobe differ for right handers and left handers
4. Where are the frontal lobes located?
a. What do they control?
Created by J. Perry & K. Weiner
page 2
Revised :3/17/16
5. Where is the occipital lobe located?
a. What sense is associated with this part of the brain?
6. Why is the brain stem referred to as a primitive area of the brain?
7. What does the corpus callosum connect?
a. What does it do for the right and left brain parts of the brain?
8. What does the limbic system regulate?
a. What are two parts of the limbic system?
Brain Probe
Type or click on the link below
http://tr.im/48n9b
Or you can type in http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/brain/probe.html
Let's probe the brain.
1. What area did you map out?
PET Scans, Brain Chemistry, and Drugs
There are certain technologies such as PET scans and MRI scans which allow us to see brain activity.
Type or click on the link below
http://tr.im/48n9c
Or you can type in http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/flash/ua/healthybrain.html
Created by J. Perry & K. Weiner
page 3
Revised :3/17/16
1. Click on PET scan for dopamine to run the PET scan for dopamine
a. How is the brain chemistry of a person addicted to alcohol different from someone who is not?
b. What is dopamine?
2. Next click on PET scan for glucose to run the PET scan for glucose
a. How is the brain chemistry of a person who is addicted to methamphetamine different than
someone who is not?
3. Next click on PET scan for MAO enzyme to run the PET scan for MAO enzyme
a. How is the brain chemistry of a person who smokes tobacco different than someone who does
not when they smoke?
Created by J. Perry & K. Weiner
page 4
Revised :3/17/16