Unit 3A: Biological Bases of Behavior: Neural Processing and the Endocrine System

What does this mean to you?... Everything Psychological is simultaneously Biological!

Everything Psychological is simultaneously Biological! Think, feel and act with our bodies Link between biology and behavior Better understanding of our experiences of Sights Sounds Meanings Memories Pain Passion

Biological Psychology = a branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior. Some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists.

Mice and their environment… Dr. Diamond Brain continues to grow all during life and not just in the early years The brain can generate new neurons Nature or Nurture? Video clip

Class teaching the class!! Neurons How neurons communicate How neurotransmitters influence us The nervous system The Endocrine system

What to include?... Teach the class your whole section Key words Creative ways to remember them! Definitions of those words Explanation of your topic!!! How/why it all works?! Include illustrations Must be creative, unique and INTERESTING!!!

Neural Communication

Neurons A Nerve cell Basic building block of nervous system

Sensory Neurons Carry incoming information: from body’s tissues and sensory organs to brain and spinal cord for processing

Motor Neurons Instructions! Carry outgoing information From brain and spinal cord to body’s tissues

Interneurons Information is processed via the Brains internal communication system Billions and billions!

Dendrite Bushy, branching extensions Receive information and conduct impulses toward the cell body LISTEN

Axon Passes the message along to other Neurons Muscles Glands SPEAKS

Myelin Sheath Layer of fatty tissue Insulates the axons Helps speed their impulses

MS http://www.nationalmssociety.org/we-keep-moving/index.aspx

Neurons Speed of a neuron impulse Range from 2 to 200 MPH Measured in milliseconds (thousandths of a second)

Neurons

Neurons Firing of a neuron Resting potential Selectively permeable Action potential Ions Positively versus negatively charged Resting potential Selectively permeable

Neurons Firing of a neuron Depolarize Refractory period Excitatory versus inhibitory Threshold All or none response

Action Potential A neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon

Action Potential

Threshold The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

Identify these parts of the neuron! Axon Myelin Sheath Dendrites Cell Body Terminal branches

How Neurons Communicate Synapse Synaptic gap (synaptic cleft) Neurotransmitters Reuptake

How Neurons Communicate

Synapse Junction axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite of the receiving neuron. Tiny gap Synaptic gap Synaptic cleft.

Neurotransmitters Chemical messengers Cross synaptic gaps Released by sending neuron Bind to receptor sites on receiving neuron Neural impulse??

Reuptake a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron.

How Neurons Communicate

How Neurotransmitters Influence Us Acetylcholine (ACh) Dopamine Serotonin Norepinephrine GABA Glutamate Endorphins

http://www.minddisorders.com/Kau-Nu/Neurotransmitters.html

Endorphins Brain produces naturally occurring opiate Linked to pain control and pleasure Vigorous exercise “Runner’s High” Acupuncture Severely injured

How Neurotransmitters influence us: Agonists versus antagonists Agonists Antagonists

Agonists and Antagonists

The Nervous System

The Nervous System

Nervous System Speedy, electrochemical communication network All nerve cells: Peripheral NS Central NS

Nerves Bundled axons that form neural “cables” Connects the CNS with muscles, glands, and sense organs.

The Nervous System

The Nervous System

Nervous System Peripheral Nervous System Central Nervous System (CNS) the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body. the brain and spinal cord.

The Nervous System

The Nervous System

Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System Somatic Nervous System Controls the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (heart) Controls the body’s skeletal muscles Also called the skeletal nervous system

The Nervous System

Nervous System Sympathetic Nervous System Parasympathetic Nervous System Division of the autonomic nervous system Arouses the body, mobilizing its energy in stressful situations Division of the autonomic nervous system Calms the body, conserving its energy

The Central Nervous System Brain and spinal cord Neural networks Spinal cord Reflex a simple, autonomic response to a sensory stimulus such as the knee-jerk response.

A Simple Reflex

The Endocrine System

Endocrine System “slow” chemical communication system set of glands that secrete hormones Hormones chemical messengers travel through bloodstream and affect other tissues.

Endocrine System Adrenal glands pair of endocrine glands sit just above the kidneys secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress. Epinephrine and norepinephrine Adrenaline and noradrenaline Fight or flight response

Pituitary Gland Most influential gland Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth & controls other endocrine glands.

The End