“New research
suggests we may use the same neurons to map time and space”
By: Emily Singer
Published: The
Atlantic, Jan 29, 2016, http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/01/brain-map-time-space/431643/
and Quanta Magazine, Jan 26, 2016, https://www.quantamagazine.org/20160126-how-the-brain-maps-time/
under the title “New clues to how the brain maps time”
Level of difficulty: ***
BEFORE YOU READ
Perception of reality,
flow of time and ourselves” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYzxi2dv6TU
QUESTIONS
1. The
reason why scientists have been unable to pinpoint brain regions involved with
judging time is the fact that
·
How the brain tracks time is a mystery
·
The brain doesn’t have a neural timekeeper
·
There is no one region that controls time
·
There is no center in the brain that monitors
time
2. It
is suggested in the text that the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex may be
involved in monitoring time for the following reasons:
3. It
can be concluded from Eichenbaum’s research that
·
The brain’ grid cells are pliable
·
The brain’s grid cells act like a dead reckoning
system
·
The brain’s grid cells keep track of distance
and time
·
The brain’s sense of space and time are
intertwined
4. The
fact that grid cells and other GPS-like cells are multifunctional enables them
to ………….
5. The
purpose of the experiment with the rats was checking to see…………………………….
6. As
a result of the experiment it has been proved that
·
Neurons all fire at different times
·
The duration of the period on the treadmill can
be accurately estimated
·
The cells do in fact mark distance
·
Some cells in the brain are definitely linked to
time
7. The
main difference between a stopwatch and cells controlling time in the brain is
that the former ………………………………………….
8. The
conclusion that time cells rely on context was reached as a result of observing
…………….
9. Scientists
don’t all agree on how versatile / multifunctional / skilled / independent the hippocampus
is. Circle the wrong answer.
10. Which
of Eichenbaum’s views does David Foster not agree with?
11. What
does “It” refer to in the phrase “It is not precise enough”?
12. Replace
the phrase "this mental activity" with a phrase of your own.
13. It
may not really be sensible to try and
find hippocampal cells that keep track of time because………………………………………………………………………………………………………
14. We
understand from the experiences of H.M. that the hippocampus has the dual
function of…………………………….and……………………………………
15. What
is the purpose of Eichenbaum’s new experiment?
WRITING TASK
Write
a concise summary of the text you have read. You will need to reorganize the
information and make connections to be able to do so so be careful
SEARCHING FOR THE
BRAIN’S INTERNAL CLOCK KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES
This wonderful text
is specifically for science buffs but at the same time should have universal
appeal. The summary task is challenging and students may require some help.
1.
The third option
2.
The same cells that monitor an individual’s
location in space also mark the passage of time / both regions of the brain are
famous for their role in memory and navigation.
3.
The fourth option (the third one is a
finding on which the conclusion is based
4.
Map experiences
5.
How the hippocampus monitors time
6. The
fourth option
7. Is not adaptable or cannot be programmed
8. Rats
exploring a new environment
9. Independent
10. That
cells can code for the pure passage of time
11. The
firing of cells
12. Helping
to remember the past and plot the future (Possible answer)
13. The
human brain often considers time and space interchangeably / Physicists
consider space-time as a cohesive four-dimensional entity
14. Organizing
memories and making new memories
15. To
see how time cells modify their code to remember the order in which the events
occured
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