The Brain and Learning Research Paper - 825 Words

The Brain and Learning (Research Paper Sample) Content: The Brain and LearningStudents NameInstitution The Brain and Learning Several researches regarding the impact of brain on learning have taken place. For a clear understanding of how the brain impacts learning, it is essential that we examine at the basic brain biology, which reveals that the brain plays various roles in the human body. Some components of the brain include the brain stem, hindbrain, cerebellum, and mid brain. Hugdahl Davidson (2004) indicate that this parts of the brain form the ancient parts and are connected to the spine in order to aid in breathing, heartbeats and movement control. The brain also comprises of the limbic system that has a variety of specialized organs such as hippocampus and hypothalamus. These parts contribute to some memory functions and help in the generation of emotional responses. Lastly, it is the cerebral cortex, which is the distinguishing feature of the human brains. The corpus callosum is a thick layer of cells that divide s the cortex laterally. The cortex also has a grey matter, which is considered as the main processing unit of the brain. Thus, these facilitate the left brain-right brain theory, which is utilized in the explanation of how the brain learns. In addition, various researches that have been done on brain lateralization also help in explicating how the brain learns. This essay explicates how the left brain and the right brain impact learning. The left brain-right brain theory asserts that both sides of the brain have their critical roles in the learning process. The right side of the brain has dominance regarding expressive and creative tasks, which explains why the following abilities are associated with the right side of the brain. These include recognition of faces, creativity, reading emotions, color, intution, and expressing emotions (Mehta, 2012). On the other side, the left brain is associated with logic, analytic thinking and language. Thus, it is best in critical thinking, numb ers, language, reasoning and logic. According to Hugdahl Davidson (2004), the left-right brain theory has been utilized in helping people who have difficulties following verbal communication. This is done through a person comprehension of his strengths and weaknesses in certain areas. This explains why people who ahve difficulties in following verbal instructions are advised to write down directions and develop better organizational skills, as that defect is associated with the right side of the brain (Coon Mitterer, 2008). Research into brain lataralization also abounds significant evidence regarding the role of the left brain and right side brain in the learning process. Coon Mitterer (2008) abound evidence regarding the same through explication of how a patients with brain infections had difficulties in pronouncing some words. They explore the work of Paul Broca who worked on a patient christened Tan. The patient could only pronounce the word Tan, which resulted to that nickna me. Notably, the patient had developed a cyst infection on the left side of his brain. This abounded evidence regarding the role of the left hand side of the brain. Various researches after Brocas work also explicate how the brain plays a critical role in the learning process. These include Wernickes area, which concentrates with the naming of objects or syntactical processing, Angula gyri, which is involved with recognizing visual symbols and lastly, the Supra-marginal gyri. Hampson (1994) indicates that almost 98 percent of people who are right-handed utilize their left hemisphere of the brain in controlling language. However, the author indicates that the situation is different regarding left-handed individuals as language is distributed evenly in both hemispheres of their brains. More specifically, the author points out that amongst the left-handed population, 19 percent of the population has language distributed on their left hemisphere while 68 percent of the population has la nguage concentrated on their right hemisphere. However, some researchers have placed the difference in learning influenced by the different sides of the brain on their concentration of grey matter-white matter ratios. Hugdahl Davidson (2004) indicate that the right side of the brain h...

Oral Health And Geriatrics Research Assignment Paper - 550 Words

Oral Health And Geriatrics Research Assignment Paper (Essay Sample) Content: ORAL HEALTH AND GERIATRICS[Name][University]Literature ReviewAging is a natural inevitable biological phenomenon. Advancement in age makes it difficult for the older adults to maintain their health as their body tissues get harder in the old age. Waste products frequently get collected in the body cells and the function of critical body organs is impaired due to the loss of lubrication. These impairments affect the quality of an individuals life leading to the failure in a persons ability to maintain oral health which results in the occurrence of certain oral diseases (Park, 2011). A planned oral and dental treatment for older adults along with an understanding of common chronic diseases is necessary for reducing the health problems and increasing the life expectancy.The balanced nutrition plan is a critical factor contributing to the health of elderly. However, poor oral health, ill-fitting dentures and loose painful teeth would act as a detrimental factor to the hea lth and nutritional status. As a result, a compromised nutritional status would create severe health conditions. According to the literature studies, an average calorie requirement in the age of 80 is 1900 kcal. Furthermore, the protein intake per day is 0.97 g/kg of body weight. Various studies have reported that nutritional status and chewing capability increases with the treatment of complete and partial dentures. Aging process compromises the function of salivary glands that results in mouth dryness due to reduced salivary flow and give rise to major oral health issues (Soini, Routasalo, Lauri, Ainamo, 2003). Also, studies have also reported various changes in the oral mucous membrane which is responsible for the key protective functions and directly affects the well-being of a person.Oral mucosa plays a key role of a barrier to different pathogens and thus decline in its function exposes the aging person to lethal microorganisms (Rattan Kassem, 2006). Prosthetic appliances a re widely used to evaluate the oral mucosal status in older adults, which have an adequate potential to change the mucosal integrity.Research studies have widely reported that the dental tissues change with the aging process. In older adults the change in teeth structure results in a different light reflection pattern that affects the observed color of the teeth. Furthermore, the transparency is also lost with the change in quantity and quality of dentin. The enamel becomes more brittle and less permeable with the aging process due to ion-exchange mechanisms. Fluoride and magnesium also increase with the advancement in age. The relation of age and periodontal disease has been widely reported and is considered as the most prevalent chronic condition in the older adults. According to a reported study the periodontal index scores 4 is present among 70% of the elderly population. An important mean to reduce oral health issues are the meticulous oral hygiene supplemented by mouthwashes. Furthermore, artificial salivary substitutes also aid in reducing the complications (Slaughter, 2006).Major challenges have consistently been reported in previous studies among which the development of an appreciation of the requirement for regular dental care is the main problem. The success in reducing the oral health iss...