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Week 2: As we move through this week materials, one must question how localization of function works in an interconnected brain. Brain regions are clearly dependent on one another for their functions and the expression of our behaviors. How then can specific functions be localized to certain regions? We'll consider these topics in our questions this week.

Step 1: Watch Green, Meet Your Master: Getting to Know Your Brain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHrmiy4W9C0&ab_channel=CrashCourse

Step 2: Watch Green, The Chemical Mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4N-7AlzK7s&ab_channel=CrashCourse

Step 3: Watch, Three lesions, Three Lives: Brain Lesions that Changed Science

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajExR3uV5ys&ab_channel=NeuroTransmissions

Step 4: Address the following questions in one paragraph for each of the three questions:

Questions

1. Choose a brain region and a behavior this region is thought to control. Describe at least one other brain region that is involved in the execution of this behavior. How do these two regions communicate to execute this behavior? Comment on whether synaptic or hormonal communication (or both) are employed by these brain regions to complete chosen behavior.

2. Draw a conclusion about the way we localize functions in the brain: Are we justified in using brain lesions to understand "normal" brain functions? Should we reevaluate our old hypotheses concerning localization of function, given the development of neuroimaging techniques? Explain. There is no strictly right or wrong answer to this question, but only thoughtful responses.

3. Choose a step in synaptic communication and explain what might happen if you were to perturb this step. Is communication increased, decreased or in some other way changed? Support your hypothesis by describing one drug that alters synaptic communication in this way. (Hint: be sure to include in your answer to what receptors the drug binds in the brain and how this binding alters neuronal communication).