Brain And Driving Worksheet 1

Name: Danielle Milne

Driving and the Brain
15 points total
Due: February 11th

How might each of the following parts of the brain be active while driving a car?
Note: Some brain structures may be more active under certain driving conditions, while others may be active regardless of conditions (10 points).

1. Medulla: Controls heartbeat & breathing Regulates breathing and heart rate while we concentrate on driving

2. Cerebellum: Influences memory and learning; Coordinates voluntary movement and balance Coordinates left and right hand movements on the steering wheel

3. Thalamus:Switchboard between sensory neurons and higher brain regions that deal with seeing, hearing, tasting and touching. Relays visual and auditory cues to areas of the cerebrum

4. Hypothalamus: Regulates thirst, hunger, body temperature and sexual behavior. Controls maintenance functions, i.e., eating; Linked to emotion & reward center. Makes us aware when we are too hot or too cold ( to adjust the temperature controls), too hungry or thirsty, or in need of a restroom stop

5. Amygdala: Emotion, such as aggression, rage and fear [and anxiety]. May be active during road rage [i.e., anger generated by another driver behaving recklessly.]

6. Hippocampus: Memory. Knowing a route and memorizing what to do at signs and lights.

7. Frontal Lobe: Speaking, muscle movements; making plans judgment, Moves body parts; sends messages out to the body controls voluntary movement, Initiates driving actions; moves the right foot to the gas or brake pedals, initiates conversations with passengers or other driver, Enables people to feel remorse or learn moral behavior to make oral decisions. Helps us in planning our routes, if we notice a hazard or detour.

8. Parietal Lobe: Incoming messages from skin and movement of the body parts; registers & processes body sensations. Includes sensory cortex. Helps us determine if our car may fit into a parking space (right parietal lobe). Register the pressure of the right foot on the gas pedal.

9. Occipital Lobe: Visual. Processes what we see when we're driving, cars around us, road signs, etc.

10. Temporal Lobe: Hearing. Listening to music, or if you hear a car horn honk or an emergency vihicle

There has long been a myth that we only use 10% of our brain’s capacity. If this could be true, which 90% of your brain would you like to have removed, and which 10% would you keep while driving? Why? What might the consequences of your decision be? (5 points)