LEARNING AND THE BRAIN

Learning and the Brain

Table of Contents

Physiology and Function of the Brain3

Basic Structure of the Human Brain3

Brain Stem4

Medulla Oblongata4

The Cerebellum4

The Thalamus4

The Hypothalamus5

Diet and Brain Function5

Relationship between Various Memory Types6

Sensory Register6

Short-Term/Working Memory6

Long-Term Memory7

Memory and Student Learning7

Factors to Enhance Learning8

Control Enable Opinions to their Learning8

The Learning Plan9

Learning Activities and Perform Control9

Learning to Reflect10

Multiple Intelligence and Students10

References12

Learning and the Brain

Physiology and Function of the Brain

The numbers that a human brain can come up with are record breaking, which is evident, by the presence of the number of nerve cells that count 100 billion. Despite of the fact that this makes there percent of the weight of the body, they contain a lot of energy. The total energy required by the brain is fifteen percent of the body to ensure proper functionality. It is not easy to believe that a large 1400 to 1600 cc and about 1.4 to 1.6 kg heavy but spongy substance exists in the body. Even though the brain measures two percent of body weight, consumption of oxygen by the brain is twenty percent because of the metabolic activity. In our body, the brain is the most functioning organ. This is the reason why it consumes a lot of glucose to ATP because it manufactures as well as replaces proteins every three weeks. From the blood that is pumped by the heart, 20% of it goes to the brain. Therefore, an individual is inclined to become unconscious if oxygen gets saturated even for ten seconds and this can also lead to death (Brown & Ryoo, 2008).

Basic Structure of the Human Brain

The cerebrospinal fluid enables in the protection of the brain from outside influences. In the brain, are also listed by fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles with about 130 ml volumes; however, the rest carry waste to the brain. Additionally, there are three layers that enclose the brain and these are known as protective membrane. These cover the spinal cord of the central nervous system. Although the brain contains 10 to 10 people in nerve cells, it connects eight to ten thousand neurons, which are a very high number. For the brain to operate, the energy in watts that are required is15 to 20 watts that equal the power that is needed by a small light, bulb.

Brain Stem

The brain stem extends the network, and the brain stem starts at most of the 12 cranial nerves pairs. These includes optic nerve, olfactory nerve, facial nerve, hearing and balance nerve, drilling nerve with optic nerve, eye movement and roll nerve, upper and lower jaw, nerve, tongue and pharyngeal nerve, tongue muscle nerve, visceral nerve and leg nerve (Campbell, 2004).

Medulla Oblongata

Medulla oblongata, acts as a boundary between the brain stem and, the spinal cord. These nerves are referred as pyramid train. Some of the most important functions of the body are controlled by medulla oblongata. These include breathing, heartbeat and metabolism.

The Cerebellum

Cerebellum is more or less like the cerebrum that has two parts and is the center of the ...