Unit 6 Reflection

This unit focused on our brain and how it connects our bodies. It controls all of our movements, basic functions and is able to comprehend sensory input and react with the appropriate action. Our brains are made up of nervous tissues (neurons) that work together to create a complex system of communication. It takes information in from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and skin to allow us to hear, see, smell, taste and feel.

In order to get a better understanding as to how the brain and eyes work, we dissected a brain and eye of a sheep. We were able to see how all of the parts are connected; the most memorable for me was the brain lab, because I could clearly see the division of left and right brain connected by the corpus collosum.

"The Woman with a hole in her Brain" by Helen Thomson is about a girl in China who had lived without a central sulcus until age 24. The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain, and without out it, her sensory skills are impaired, which is why she did not learn how to walk until age 6 and talk at age 7.

"How to Become a Superager" by Lisa Feldman Barrett explains how older people who are mentally nimble tend to be more active, physically. They have purpose in their lives and work, no matter the intensity of the tasks. They learn to overcome pain in a healthy and productive way, rather than relying on medications as they age. This is because plasticity allows our brains to adapt and grow overtime, and learn new information.

"Fit Body, Fit Brain and Other Fitness Trends", by Gretchen Reynolds explains the importance of physical activity. In specific, she mentions that the telomeres, or caps at the ends of our chromosomes, shrink with age. However, those who maintain a healthy lifestyle have proven to have longer, and stronger telomeres.

"How We Get Addicted" by Michael D. Lemonick is an article that medically describes addiction as a disease. Although many believe that it is only a psychological problem, it is in fact a physical disease that we cannot just wish away. Sensory adaptation desensitizes our sensory cells overtime, and overwhelming amounts of dopamine can do the same.

Finally, "A Woman Perpetually Falling", is a book following a woman who was born without a vestibular system, vital for our sense of balance. She was not able to stand on her own because her body did not provide the sensations necessary for understanding balance. However, overtime, her brain learned to overcome this deficiency, another example of brain plasticity.

I found this unit incredibly interesting because we are learning about our brains while using our brains and experiencing these different processes. I think it is a very in depth topic that I overanalyze and confuse myself with, but for the most part I understand the concepts. Our brain has four different lobes that control different parts. The frontal lobe is the boss of executive functioning, the parietal controls muscle movement, the temporal lobe controls auditory functions, and the occipital lobe is in charge of sight. The brain is divided laterally into left and right parts that are connected by the corpus collosum.

My new years goals have been going well now that I have put more energy into achieving them. I have already reached a 200 pound squat and want to continue focusing on form before increasing more weight. I also have been getting much more sleep which is very important for my overall wellbeing. I have to force myself to put my phone down but once I do, I sleep well.