{"id":163197,"date":"2024-01-22T15:02:33","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T14:02:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=163197"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:08","slug":"this-feels-like-jelly-euc-students-dissect-calf-brains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2024\/01\/22\/this-feels-like-jelly-euc-students-dissect-calf-brains\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018This feels like jelly.’ EUC students dissect calf brains"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the lecture Neuroscience of Everything<\/em>, <\/em>Erasmus University College students learn about the anatomy of brains. “I became interested in everything to do with the brain because of my ex.”<\/p>\n

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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPauline Wiersema<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

In a lecture hall on the ground floor of the Erasmus University College building on the Nieuwemarkt, 13 students in white coats are ready for the brain dissection practical. On each desk, lecturer Anderson Mora Cortes put a tray with a calf brain and two knives on it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might smell a little\u201d, the lecturer says. Some students quickly put on their face masks. One student puts on her medical gloves. \u201cIt looks like a cooking show\u201d, she jokes.<\/p>\n\t

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Lecture:<\/strong> The neuroscience of everything,<\/em> Wednesday 3.15pm at the Erasmus University College Campus<\/p>\n

Lecturer:<\/strong> Anderson Mora Cortes<\/p>\n

Subject:<\/strong> The anatomy of a calf brain<\/p>\n

Audience:<\/strong> A total of 30 students with an above-average interest in the brain; divided into two sessions.<\/p>\n

Reason to attend:<\/strong> The opportunity to dissect a brain and the added bonus of an enthusiastic lecturer. You will also learn how the brain works, both anatomically and neurologically.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n

Understanding my ex<\/h2>

Student Barbara looks at her section of calf brain with a slight glisten in her eyes. She\u2019s an exchange student and actually studying Economics and Business back home in Mexico. \u201cWhen I found out I could do this course as a minor here, I was very happy\u201d, she laughs.<\/p>\n

Her interest in the brain started when her relationship with her boyfriend at secondary school ended. \u201cIt made me really want to understand how the brain works. Most of all, I wanted to know why my ex had made choices that I didn\u2019t understand. I listened to some podcasts about the anatomy of the brain and how it works. They were very interesting\u201d, she says. \u201cSo, my interest in everything to do with the brain is basically thanks to my ex.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPauline Wiersema<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Anatomy lesson<\/h2>

\u201cLadies, we\u2019re about to get started!\u201d, lecturer Anderson calls out through the hall. \u201cShall we take a look at \u2018our\u2019 brains?\u201d He walks over to his own calf brain. A small camera is pointed at the brain and projects it onto a big white screen behind him.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPauline Wiersema<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

\u201cLook how beautiful it is!\u201d Anderson picks up the brain and places it in the palm of his hand. \u201cI chose a calf brain because its structure and anatomy are similar to the human brain. It\u2019s also very easy to source\u201d, he adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we have learnt: this is the cerebrum.\u201d He then points to the two parts of the brain. \u201cThese are the left and the right hemispheres. The left hemisphere plays a major role in language production, logic and analytical ability, amongst other things, while the right hemisphere is responsible for language comprehension and spatial understanding\u201d, the lecturer explains.<\/p>\n

Curious, a student picks up the brain on her desk. \u201cOooh, this feels like jelly\u201d, she giggles as she returns the brain to the tray. Fellow student Dilay laughs. \u201cI dissected brains at secondary school, so I had some idea what it would feel like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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