'NEURO-BINGO'

Patricia S. Lisoskie

OVERVIEW

In order to speak "Neuro-Biologese", students must learn some terminology. To discuss the nervous system and pathology, students must first understand neural physiology. This game enables them to do this in a fun and exciting manner.

BIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS

• anatomy of a neuron

• nervous impulse

• anatomy of the brain

• hemispherosity

• physiology of the action potential

• nervous disorders

• central and peripheral nervous systems

CLASS TIME

One to several periods, depending on the time you want to spend.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This game may serve as an introduction, reinforcement, or review of the nervous system. You may want to use it for "just plain fun", to motivate your students to learn the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, to earn extra bonus points, to earn the privilege of throwing out one assignment/test, to turn in one late assignment or retake one test. Students may play individually or in teams, adding up points they earn for one "Bingo"; or you may choose to extend the game for 10 - 15 minutes each day over an extended period of time. The terminology covers basic concepts of the nervous system and is meant to help students apply what they have learned. Suitable for 9th or 10th grade biology.

MATERIALS

Neuro-Bingo cards

List of terminology and definitions

TEACHER PREPARATION

The attached Student Activity sheet shows an example of a possible Neuro-Bingo card for each student or team of students. Have students make their own cards using different combinations of terminology. Laminate them. Students may draw or decorate them as desired. Use attached sheet of terminology to call definitions. Alternate definitions may be used for different games.

EXTENSIONS/VARIATIONS

Add any other terminology that you wish to include in the bingo. Examples: presynaptic terminal, post synaptic terminal, synapse, midbrain, parietal lobe, pituitary, hypothalmus, association neurons, reflex arc, etc.

RESOURCES

Any biology or human anatomy & physiology book. See attached sheets.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pat Lisoskie is a biology/bioethics/human anatomy & physiology teacher at Tumwater High School in Tumwater, Washington. She can be contacted at Tumwater High School, 700 Israel Rd., Tumwater, WA 98502. Phone: 360-586-9359. Please contact the school for her current e-mail address.

Student Activity

NEURO-BINGO

DEFINITIONS:

1. Axon: carries the nerve impulse to the motor end plate from the cell body in a motor neuron.

2. Neuron: basic unit of the nervous system.

3. Dendrite: multi-branched structure carrying the nerve impulse toward the body of the neuron.

4. Myelin sheath: A. white insulating fatty coating covering the neuron axon B. causes the nervous impulse to travel more rapidly.

5. Neurotransmitter: A. chemicals released at the synaptic cleft B. causes neuron transmission.

6. Peripheral nervous system: responsible for carrying impulses to and from the body organs such as stomach, lungs, muscles and kidneys.

7. Autonomic nervous system: involuntary control of heart and respiration.

8. Sympathetic nervous system: A. causes "fight or flight" response B. increases heart rate and respiration C. puts body into "high gear".

9. Parasympathetic nervous system: A. responsible for conserving and restoring energy in the body after stress B. brings body back to normal.

10. Ganglia: enlarged clusters of cell bodies outside the spinal cord.

11. Dura mater: A. "tough mother" B. outer tough membrane protecting the brain.

12. Cortex: A. thinking, reasoning, memory part of the brain B. makes us human.

13. Cerebrospinal fluid: substance which nourishes and cushions the brain.

14. Corpus callosum: A. connects the right and left hemispheres B. interstate between the two sides of the brain C. more fibers in females than males.

15. Action Potential: A. sodium moves into the axon and potassium moves out B."jumps" from node to node.

16. Occipital lobe: A. the brain center responsible for vision B. lobe found at the posterior part of the brain C. connected to the eyes by the optic nerves.

17. Temporal lobe: the brain center responsible for hearing and smell.

18. Right hemisphere: responsible for creativity in art, music, drama, and dance.

19. Spinal cord: connecting link between brain and perpheral nervous system.

20. Brain stem: A. the most primitive part of the brain controlling heartbeat and respiration B. connects vital functions with the thinking brain.

21. Ventricle: openings in the brain which nourish and cushion the brain structures.

22. CNS: brain and spinal cord.

23. Limbic system: A. the seat of our emotions B. the "reptilian" brain.

24. Cell body: contains the control center of the neuron.

25. Left hemisphere: responsible for "if-then", analytical, sequential reasoning

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