Reference no: EM133406503

Assignment:

Superheroes typically either have "super-human" powers, or they have really neat technology and gadgets. For example, Superman was able to "leap tall buildings in a single bound," suggesting he had "super-human" strength in his legs. In contrast, Batman has great gadgets, but he is just a normal guy in a weird outfit. You should imagine that you have stumbled across a secret laboratory where a "mad scientist" is conducting unauthorized brain research. In some of his patients he has artificially enlarged specific brain structures, which presumably enhanced (increased) the normal functions associated with those structures; in other patients he has artificially shrunk specific brain structures, which presumably attenuated (decreased) the normal functions associated with those structures. Consequently, he has created a number of superheroes who have specialized powers or abilities.

For example, he was able to recreate Superman's ability to "leap tall buildings in a single bound" by enlarging the portion of the motor cortex in the frontal lobe that controls leg movements in one of his patients. Below are descriptions of several superheroes the scientist has already completed, or is in the process of creating. Read through the description of each superhero and answer the questions at the end of each problem (3 to 4 sentences each).

You will need to create superhero, provide a description, and answer the questions indicated.

One of the superheroes has a fantastic memory and is able to remember anything and everything without any difficulty. This superhero is especially well suited for missions that involve the transfer of top-secret information because long documents can be memorized after only one reading. Which brain structure did the scientist most likely alter to produce this ability and how was the structure modified (was it enlarged or shrunk)? Explain why you believe your answer is appropriate.

One of the superheroes never feels hungry or thirsty; as a result this superhero is able to undertake long missions in isolated locations with only minimal supplies. Which brain structure did the scientist most likely alter to produce this ability and how was the structure modified (was it enlarged or shrunk)? Explain why you believe your answer is appropriate.

1. In one of the superheroes that the scientist is working on, the plan is to increase the temporal lobes in the hero's brain to twice their normal size. What type of ability/abilities is this modification likely to produce? Explain why you believe your answer is appropriate.
2. In the fourth superhero that the scientist is working on, the plan is to decrease the amygdala in the hero's brain to one-half its original size.
3. What type of ability/abilities is this modification likely to produce? Explain why you believe your answer is appropriate.
4. For this superhero, the scientist plans on severing the corpus callosum. What effect(s) will this have on the superhero's abilities? Explain why you believe your answer is appropriate.