ARIELLE'S BLOG!! :): Hoe the Brain Works

The brain is a very powerful organ. It controls how the body works. It weighs 3lbs in adults. The brain is divided into two hemispheres the right and the left. The right hemisphere controls the left part of the body and the left hemisphere controls the right part of the body. Both of these hemispheres have 4 lobes, the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and the temporal lobe. The left hemisphere specializes in the more analytical and mathematical thinking. It deals with the hard facts like knowledge, discipline, logic etc. The right hemisphere is the opposite it deals with creativity and emotions. This includes feelings, art, sensitivity, visualizing activity etc. The union of these hemispheres is called the corpus collasum. This unifies the right and the left hemisphere so they can work together as one. This helps both hemispheres to communicate and work smoothly.

Broca’s area is located in the frontal lobe and it focuses on speech. It is mainly responsible for speech and language. This area was discovered in 1861 by a French neurosurgeon called Paul Broca. Broca himself had difficulty with speaking. He could only make the sound “tan”. When this area is damaged most people can’t speak, words are not formed and speech is slow.

Split brain is when the corpus collasum is cut to reduce seizures in the brain. In some cases cutting the corpus collasum helps control seizures, and in some, seizures have disappeared, but communication between hemispheres can no longer be.

Wernicke’s area was discovered by Karl Wernicke. This area is located in the left temporal lobe and it involves language comprehension and expression. When this area is damaged people can loose the ability to understand language. In addition, people can have a hard time putting words together that make sense. Wernike’s area and Broca’s area are connected by a large bundle of nerves called arcuate fasciculus. “In most people (97%), both Broca's area and Wernicke's area are found in only the left hemisphere of the brain” (http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/lang.html).

The lobe responsible for the vision is called the optical lobe.

The lobe responsible for hearing and language is the temporal lobe.

The lobe responsible for the mathematical equations is the frontal lobe and it is also responsible for judgment, reasoning, and impulse control.