Brain dissection or virtual
Examine brain regions through a sheep-brain dissection or a virtual brain.
Labeled brain-region map identifying cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem with one function each, plus gray and white matter boundary marked on an internal view.
- 1Do thisExamine brain regions through a sheep-brain dissection or a virtual brain.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisLab report: Labeled brain-region map identifying cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem with one function each, plus gray and white matter boundary marked on an internal view.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Human Anatomy & Physiology (Human Body Systems) › Unit 2.1 Getting Nervous: Nervous system structure, brain anatomy, neurons, signaling, sheep brain or virtual alternative. › Lab reportOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: Direct examination of brain anatomy connects textbook region names to three-dimensional structures and reveals why different injuries produce different functional deficits.
- 0-10Safety briefing and handling protocol for sheep brain or virtual login
- 10-25External examination: identify cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem; note one function each
- 25-45Internal (coronal) cut: locate gray matter and white matter
- 45-60Draw and label brain-region map: three regions with functions; gray/white matter boundary
- 60-75Group comparison: does your map match the reference? correct discrepancies
- 75-80Submit labeled map; clean up specimen or log off virtual
- • Today you examine a real or virtual brain. This is the most direct way to understand why region location matters.
- • You are looking for three regions and the boundary between gray and white matter. Those four observations go on your brain-region map.
- • Handle the specimen with care and with dignity. This is a real nervous system that ran a real animal for years.
- • Your map today becomes the reference for Thursday when we connect those regions to the CNS and PNS organization.
- 1Review the safety and handling steps for the sheep-brain or virtual model.
- 2Identify the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem on the specimen.
- 3Note one function controlled by each region you identify.
- 4Compare the external and a cut internal view to locate gray and white matter.
- 5Submit your labeled brain-region map with functions.
- • You can locate the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
- • You can state one function for each region.
- • Cerebrum: largest region; controls voluntary movement, sensory processing, language, memory, and higher cognition. Divided into four lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital).
- • Cerebellum: located posterior to the brainstem; coordinates balance, fine motor control, and learned movement sequences.
- • Brainstem (medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain): controls autonomic functions including heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure; connects brain to spinal cord.
- • Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies; white matter contains myelinated axons. On a cut surface, gray is darker and peripheral, white is lighter and central (in the cerebrum).
Your PLTW work today
Unit 2.1 Getting Nervous: Nervous system structure, brain anatomy, neurons, signaling, sheep brain or virtual alternative. · Brain dissection or virtual
Day 3 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Complete the brain-regions task in Lesson 2.1 Getting Nervous on myPLTW that accompanies today's dissection or virtual brain; match structures to functions.
Mark the brain-regions task complete after submitting your dissection notes or virtual-brain annotation.
Neuron task is done; today the brain-regions task should show complete.
myPLTW completion status plus submitted annotation.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 2.1 Getting Nervous: Nervous system structure, brain anatomy, neurons, signaling, sheep brain or virtual alternative. · Brain dissection or virtual
Complete the brain-regions task in Lesson 2.1 Getting Nervous on myPLTW that accompanies today's dissection or virtual brain; match structures to functions.
Neuron task is done; today the brain-regions task should show complete.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Examine brain regions through a sheep-brain dissection or a virtual brain.
- Review the safety and handling steps for the sheep-brain or virtual model.
- Identify the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem on the specimen.
- Note one function controlled by each region you identify.
- Compare the external and a cut internal view to locate gray and white matter.
- Submit your labeled brain-region map with functions.
Lab report: Labeled brain-region map identifying cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem with one function each, plus gray and white matter boundary marked on an internal view.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Review the safety and handling steps for the sheep-brain or virtual model. | _______ |
| Identify the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem on the specimen. | _______ |
| Note one function controlled by each region you identify. | _______ |
| Compare the external and a cut internal view to locate gray and white matter. | _______ |
| Submit your labeled brain-region map with functions. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- You can locate the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
- You can state one function for each region.
Resources & readings
Vetted readings and references for this unit. Use them to prepare, to catch up if you were absent, or to go deeper on today's target.
Lab & supplies
- • Wear gloves, goggles, and apron for the entire real dissection; do not remove PPE until specimen is returned to the tray and hands are washed.
- • Use scalpel or scissors only when directed by the teacher; cut away from your body and your lab partner.
- • Preserved specimens contain fixative chemicals; avoid touching your face during the lab and wash hands thoroughly with soap afterward.
- • Dispose of all specimen tissue in the designated biohazard bag, not the regular trash.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Use the linked virtual brain resource to identify the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, note one function each, and submit a labeled brain-region map.
Learn.Genetics (Utah)Then submit your Lab report on Schoology.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Khan Academy: Nervous System- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Thu, Oct 8, 2026 · Brain dissection or virtual here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project