Biology and Technology

CT

• How does it work? 
• A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body.
• What is able to be learned through the use of this technology?
• A CT scan creates detailed pictures of the body, including the brain, chest, spine, and abdomen.
• The results may be used to : Diagnose an infection, guide a surgeon to the right area during a biopsy, identify masses and tumors, including cancer, and also to study blood vessels

• How can it be used to explain human behavior? 
• May help by determining if a person has stroke or by determining if a person has hydrocephalus, it helps to explain their unusual behavior in response to inner factors

PET

• How does it work?

• A lung positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to look for disease in the lungs, particularly lung cancer.
• PET scan shows how well the lungs and their tissues are working. not like CT that shows the structure of the lungs.
• What is able to be learned through the use of this technology?
• The results of the tests may be used to: help diagnose lung cancer, see the spread of the cancer to the other areas of the body, determine if the growth in the lungs is cancerous or not, and also to determine how well cancer treatment is working.
• How can it be used to explain human behavior?
• Helps to diagnose brain damage, dementia or tell the difference between Parkinson's or other movement disease.
• PET may show the spiral way of how the brain cells die, which is symptom of Alzheimer's disease
  

FMRI

• How does it work?
• It easures the amount of oxygen in blood, the neural activity in brain requires oxygen.
• Uses strong electromagnet to see which part of brain is working based on how much oxygen is being used. This procedure is  held in a tube machine in which the patient lays motionlessly.
• What is able to be learned through the use of this technology?
•  Functional magnetic resonance imaging, measures brain activity by monitoring changes in blood
• It shows which part of the brain is functional 
• How can it be used to explain human behavior? 
• Scientists can determine what is a person thinking. They show them a picture and observe what regions are active and later on can determine by seeing this similiar reaction by other person. 
• People had very similar results for the same objects.