Chromosomal Abnormalities and Molecular Genetics

In this video I introduce examples of molecular genetics and how specific genes or chromosomes can influence traits, behaviors, or illnesses. The difference between genetic and inherited is defined and several chromosomal abnormalities are explained including Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, and Klinefelter Syndrome. I also mention Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) and its relationship to karyotype in understanding situations in which … Read More

What is Heritability?

In this video I provide a basic introduction to twin studies and heritability scores. I explain how a heritability score tells us about the role of genes in explaining variance in a trait. I also discuss some common errors and emphasize that heritability is about the role of genes in general, not about specific genes, and that it only tells … Read More

Introduction to Genetics and Shared Genes

In this video I provide a basic introduction to genetics and explain genes, genomes, DNA, chromosomes, and genetic relatedness of parents, offspring, siblings, and identical and fraternal twins. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel to see future videos! Have questions or topics you’d like to see covered in a future video? Let me know by commenting or sending me … Read More

Split Brains: What Happens When You Sever the Corpus Callosum?

In this video I cover research by Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga on split brain patients who have had the corpus callosum severed. I explain some hemispheric specializations such as speech production and facial recognition as well as how visual information is separated into each hemisphere at the optic chiasm according to visual field.   Don’t forget to subscribe to … Read More

Parts of the Brain: Forebrain – Cerebral Cortex

In this video I continue explaining parts of the brain and focus on the cerebral cortex. The cortex is the thin, wrinkled, outer covering of the brain and the wrinkles and folds create gyri, sulci, and fissures. The cortex is divided into two hemispheres, left and right, each with 4 lobes: frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital. Don’t forget to subscribe … Read More

Parts of the Brain: Forebrain – Subcortical Structures

In this video I continue covering parts of the brain and move to the subcortical structures of the forebrain including the thalamus, pituitary gland, limbic system (hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala), basal ganglia, and corpus callosum. I also mention the Genes to Cognition site (link below) which has an excellent interactive 3D brain feature which can help you to learn brain … Read More

Parts of the Brain: Midbrain Structures

In this video I continue covering parts of the brain, explaining regions of the midbrain including the tegmentum, the substantia nigra, and the tectum. I also discuss the limitations of using 2D images when learning about brain structures, the use of “flowery” language for describing brain structures, and problems with somewhat arbitrary borders for brain regions (such as determining whether … Read More

Parts of the Brain: Hindbrain Structures

In this video I explain the main regions of the brain: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, as well as the difference between the “old” and “new” brain in evolutionary terms. Then the location and function of four main areas of the hindbrain (medulla, reticular formation, cerebellum, and pons) are explained. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel to see future … Read More

Brain Scanning and Imaging Techniques

In this video I briefly explain how information can be collected about the structure and function of a living brain using scanning and imaging techniques including EEG, CAT scan, PET scan, MRI, fMRI, and DTI. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel to see future videos! Have questions or topics you’d like to see covered in a future video? Let … Read More

Early Ways of Studying the Brain

In this video I discuss early approaches to studying the brain by looking at cases of brain damage and attempting to connect areas of damage to deficits or changes in behavior. The case of Phineas Gage is considered, as well as Paul Broca’s work studying brain damage associated with speech production problems such as aphasia. Don’t forget to subscribe to … Read More