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Investigation 2: Simple Information Processing
In Investigation 1, students discovered that the brain is a remarkable biological organ composed of specialized structures that work together as a unified whole. In Investigation 2, they build on that foundation by exploring how the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system work together to sense, process, and respond to the physical world.
Through hands-on investigations of reflexes, sensory perception, and automatic responses, students discover that much of the nervous system is continuously processing information long before they become consciously aware of it. These automatic processes provide the biological foundation upon which attention, learning, memory, and decision-making are built.
Enduring Understanding
By the end of Investigation 2, students should understand:
“Life depends on the nervous system’s ability to sense, process, and respond to the physical world. Much of this information processing occurs automatically, allowing us to interact with our environment long before we become consciously aware of it.”
Investigation Background Reading:
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