Unit 1: the brain

Unit 1

The brain

and neurological disorders

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you are going to learn about the brain, optical illusions, neurological disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.

in this unit

kahoot!

How much do you know about your brain?

your partner's brain

complete questionnaire for your partner and see which hemisphere of their brain is dominant

questionnaire

vocabulary

11

12

10

14

17

15

13

16

do you think you can control someone's body with your mind?

transcript

Discuss

philosophical discussion

information exchange

Watch one of the videos

Video 1

Take notes on vocabulary Take notes on information Prepare to present it to a partner Prepare two discussion question

Video 2

Do you remember?

What is the topic?

prosopagnosia

No - NONE - NOT

No - NONE - NOT

Reading

Write 3 comprehension Qs for another person.

fill in the blanks

• Before Dr. Sacks _______ (treat) the patients with L-dopa, many of them _______ (walk) in years. They __________ (be able to eat) by themselves.

• The patients __________ (never see) a television.

• When Dr. Sacks ________ working at Beth Abraham Hospital, he ________ (live) in the United States for several years.

Game

Explain yourself

the limits

of human memory

discussion

• ___________ to keep a piece of information in your memory
• ___________ to make someone remember something that happened in the past
• ___________ to be able to bring back a piece of information into your mind
• ___________ to make someone think of something they have forgotten or might have forgotten
• ___________ to not forget to do something

the opposite?

what do you know about alzheimer's?

Reading

guidance

withdrawn

insights

cognitive decline

address

to advocate

clinical trials

to grieve

How much do you remember?

Why is Alzheimer’s sometimes not diagnosed? (2 reasons) Why should family members be involved in the diagnostic process? How do patients think their experience could be improved? What are some recommendations for people living with the disease? What problems do caretakers of Alzheimer’s patients experience?

role play

Design your roles: caregiver - professional Research information Prepare your arguments Use the grammar and vocabulary we have seen!

"in stations"

Video project

Option 1

Option 2

3-5 minutes 25% language 25% body language 25% interaction 25% organization

Research and present a neurological disorder

Brain aspects and curiosities (based on research)

technology

and the brain

vocabulary boost

discuss

do you agree or disagree?

• Scientists never contemplate the ethical implications of the research they work on.

• Melding our minds with machines sounds like an idea taken straight from a Hollywood movie.

• Technology should be focused on the quality of life of people with disabilities.

• There is no equitable access to new technologies and only the privileged few make use of them.

“Imagine if you could connect your brain to the internet. You wouldn't need to type into a search engine, you could just think your query and download the relevant knowledge directly into your mind. Such a world would involve the biggest single upgrade in human intelligence since our species evolved. Seamless brain computer interfaces are a long way off but the melding of minds with machines is already under way.”

Answer the questions: What is the neurotechnology the speaker talks about designed for? How do the volunteers in the trial control devices? How could this technology transform the lives of people with disabilities? What do the numbers and words refer to: - 85 billion - 6 billion - hydra - 100 million - Neuralink

vocabulary work

vocabulary work

over to you

"Design" a way to use technology and the brain for a cause. You will present it to the class.

Linkers

although/even though/ despite/ in spite of

• What is the difference in meaning?
• What do you use after althoguh/even though?
• What do you use after despite/in spite of?
• Can you think of an example?
• Can you think of the most common errors?

Linkers

although/even thoughdespite/ in spite of

Linkers

although/even thoughdespite/ in spite of

Video

Video

although/even thoughdespite/ in spite of

linkers

However, nevertheless, nonetheless

linkers

linkers

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons.

Brainwave

Electrical patterns of activity in the brain, often measured with an EEG, which can vary in frequency and amplitude.

White matter

Tissue in the brain and spinal cord, facilitating communication between neurons.

Occipital lobe

Located at the back of the brain, responsible for visual processing.

Hippocampus

A region of the brain important for memory and learning.

Neuron

A specialized cell that transmits information in the nervous system.

Temporal lobe

Responsible for processing auditory information and is involved in memory and language.

Parietal lobe

Involved in processing sensory information from various parts of the body and spatial awareness.

Central nervous system

Comprising the brain and spinal cord, it controls most functions of the body and mind.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where signals are transmitted.

Frontal lobe

The front part of the brain involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and personality.

Cortex

The outermost layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.

Gray matter

Brain tissue containing cell bodies of neurons.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance.

Amygdala

A part of the brain involved in processing emotions, especially fear and aggression.

Brainstem

The base of the brain that controls basic life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.