Parts of the Brain
Read each scenario and determine which part of the brain has been damaged or removed from the options listed. Use details from the scenario to support your answer. You must also explain why the other options ARE NOT the answer.
Clarified Directions:
Let’s say you chose the cerebral cortex as the part of the brain that was damaged or removed. You must also explain why the answer is NOT the corpus callosum or the cerebellum.
Scenario #1
A detective received the autopsy report from a pathologist. The detective hoped the cause of death would lead to possible suspects. After glancing at the report, the detective cursed under his breath.
“John Doe died because the killer attacked from behind. The blunt force trauma caused the victim to stop breathing immediately. He didn’t stand a chance.”
1. Which part of the brain was damaged or removed in this scenario? Explain how you know: (Corpus Callosum, Brainstem, or Cerebellum)
2. Explain why the other options are not the answer:
Scenario #2
In 1848, a 25-year-old railroad worker named Phineas Gage blew up rocks to clear the way for a new rail line in Vermont. He drilled a hole, placed an explosive charge, and then packed in sand using a 13-pound metal bar (known as a tamping iron). However, an explosive detonated and sent the iron rod through Phineas’ brain.
Before his accident (according to the doctor’s reports) Phineas “possessed a well-balanced mind, and was looked upon by those who knew him as a shrewd, smart business man, very energetic and persistent in executing all his plans of operation.”
After his accident, Gage’s personality changed. Some described him as restless, disrespectful, unreliable, and had more emotional outbursts than before. His ability to produce speech and understand it was not impaired. Later, Gage acquired a job and died 12 years after the accident. The case of Phineas Gage helped neuroscientists understand the specialization of brain functions.
1. Which part of the brain was damaged or removed in this scenario? Explain how you know: (Frontal Lobe, Amygdala, or Thalamus)
2. Explain why the other options are not the answer:
Scenario #3
Abby went for a run at the county park because the trail there helps her prepare for the marathon she has next month. While running, Abby notices a group of people playing soccer. Before she has a chance to duck, she is smacked in the head by a soccer ball. When she comes to, she notices she can’t feel the paramedic touching her arm. The paramedic also tells her she will probably have difficulty sensing what is around her for a few days. She’s instructed to take it easy and walk slowly in order to gauge what objects are around her.
1. Which part of the brain was damaged or removed in this scenario? Explain how you know: (Occipital Lobe, Parietal Lobe, or Temporal Lobe)
2. Explain why the other options are not the answer:
Scenario #4
Rodger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga were the first to study split brains in humans. Their research proved that the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. Essentially, these patients lived with two brains since each half of the cerebrum could not communicate with the other. When Mr. Gazzaniga flashed a word on the right ride of a screen, the split brain patient could say the word. However, when the same word was flashed on the left side of the screen, the patient could not say it, but could draw it!
1. Which part of the brain was damaged or removed in this scenario? Explain how you know: (Corpus Callosum, Wernicke’s Area, Broca’s Area)
2. Explain why the other options are not the answer:
