| Name: ______________________________ | Date: ______________ |
Instructions
- Explore how the brain sends signals and how scientists study waves.
- Remember that brain activity is electrical and chemical, while brain waves are patterns of activity.
- Read each question carefully and use evidence from science.
Example: A wave has a frequency of 5 hertz. How many complete cycles happen in 4 seconds? Use cycles = frequency × time.
Answer: 20 cycles
Part 1: Brain Signal Basics
Complete each sentence with the best scientific word.
1. The basic cell that sends messages through the nervous system is a __________.
2. A neuron's long fiber that carries signals away from its cell body is called an __________.
3. The tiny gap where one neuron communicates with another neuron is a __________.
4. The brain and spinal cord make up the __________ nervous system.
Part 2: Thought Wave Vocabulary
Choose the answer that best completes each scientific idea.
5. What is a brain wave?
| ○ A. A pattern of electrical activity in many brain cells | ○ B. A sound wave produced by the ears |
| ○ C. A wave of water inside the brain | ○ D. A single thought traveling like a ball |
6. Which instrument can record patterns of electrical activity from the scalp?
| ○ A. EEG | ○ B. Thermometer |
| ○ C. Microscope | ○ D. Barometer |
7. What does frequency describe?
| ○ A. How many cycles occur in a certain time | ○ B. How tall a wave is |
| ○ C. How heavy a wave is | ○ D. How far an object travels in one day |
8. Which action most likely requires the brain to combine information from several senses?
| ○ A. Crossing a busy street | ○ B. Blinking once |
| ○ C. Growing a fingernail | ○ D. Digesting food automatically |
Part 3: Signal Check
Write True or False for each statement.
9. Neurons can communicate using electrical signals and chemical messengers. True / False
10. A brain wave is one giant wave physically moving through the brain. True / False
11. Different mental states can be associated with different patterns of brain activity. True / False
12. An EEG can read every exact thought a person is thinking. True / False
13. The amplitude of a wave describes the size of its displacement from the middle position. True / False
Part 4: Wave Lab Match
Match each term on the left with its meaning on the right.
| 14. | Frequency | __________ | A. A cell specialized for sending nervous-system signals |
| 15. | Amplitude | __________ | B. A recording of electrical activity measured from the scalp |
| 16. | Hertz | __________ | C. The size of a wave's displacement from its middle position |
| 17. | Neuron | __________ | D. The number of cycles completed in a set amount of time |
| 18. | EEG | __________ | E. The unit used for cycles per second |
Part 5: Calculate the Cycles (optional challenge)
Solve each problem and include the correct unit when one is given.
19. A recorded brain-wave pattern has a frequency of 8 hertz. How many cycles occur in 3 seconds? Answer: __________ cycles |
20. A wave completes 30 cycles in 5 seconds. What is its frequency? Answer: __________ hertz |
21. A signal has a frequency of 4 hertz. How long does it take to complete 20 cycles? Answer: __________ seconds |
22. A scientist records 45 cycles in 9 seconds. Another recording shows 6 cycles per second. Which recording has the greater frequency? Answer: __________ |
Answer Key
| 1. | neuron |
| 2. | axon |
| 3. | synapse |
| 4. | central |
| 5. | A (A pattern of electrical activity in many brain cells) |
| 6. | A (EEG) |
| 7. | A (How many cycles occur in a certain time) |
| 8. | A (Crossing a busy street) |
| 9. | True |
| 10. | False |
| 11. | True |
| 12. | False |
| 13. | True |
| 14. | D (The number of cycles completed in a set amount of time) |
| 15. | C (The size of a wave's displacement from its middle position) |
| 16. | E (The unit used for cycles per second) |
| 17. | A (A cell specialized for sending nervous-system signals) |
| 18. | B (A recording of electrical activity measured from the scalp) |
| 19. | 24 cycles |
| 20. | 6 hertz |
| 21. | 5 seconds |
| 22. | The second recording |