Spark of life and first nerves
The rise of the central cord
The triune brain and land invasion
The modern human mind
YOUR GOAL
Master of Evolution of the brain
moonay Early mammals developed the limbic system to manage social bonds and regulate body temperature.
moonay The deep structures of our brain still handle the same survival instincts as prehistoric reptiles.
moonay Trace evolutionary steps to discover how the human brain evolved from the very first organism.
Yawning reptilian brain: Yawning is controlled by our ancient reptilian brainstem to help cool down the brain.
A model of brain evolution proposing that the human brain is organized into three distinct, sequentially developed layers. Paul MacLean formulated this concept to describe how neural structures adapted during the vertebrate transition to land.
What major environmental transition 375 million years ago forced vertebrates to develop larger forebrains?
What 375-million-year-old 'fishapod' fossil represents the transition of vertebrates from water to land?
What is the thin, six-layered outer sheet of the brain that allows mammals to learn flexible behaviors?
When did the first early mammaliaforms with a developing limbic system appear in the fossil record?
Which part of the human brain, managing survival instincts, is often called the 'reptilian brain'?
What survival benefit did the mammalian limbic system provide over purely instinctive behavior?
Which brain system evolved in early mammals to support social bonding and emotional memory?