Chapter 43.3, Problem 1CS

Core Skill: Modeling The goal of this modeling challenge is to create a model that shows the regions of the human brain that become activated by environmental stimuli, and propose experiments to identify which stimuli are activating particular regions.

Modeling Challenge: Imagine a person undergoing an fMRI procedure while viewing a video of a nature scene such as a forest, including all of the usual environmental sounds. The subject is told to think about the images and try to remember them for a brief time. Trace an image of the human brain from Figure 43.16. Next, refer back to Figure 43.12. Based on the information in Figure 43.12 make a model of the areas in the brain that you predict would be activated in an fMRI image during the test period. In your model, the areas of the brain that use more oxygen should be shaded in a color, such as orange. Then, if your model shows more than one shaded region, explain how you might redo the experiment to distinguish which regions responded to the visual images, which to auditory cues, and which to other functions such as conscious thought and short-term memory.