Mr. Leonoff WICHS Psychology Body and Behavior Mr. Leonoff WICHS Psychology

The Nervous System Purpose: Regulate the body’s functions Central Nervous System (CNS) Brain and Spinal Cord Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Nerves that reach from Spinal Cord to Rest of Body Transmit info from organs to CNS/CNS to organs Somatic Nervous System (SNS) Voluntary Activities Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Involuntary Activities Heartbeat, Digestion, Breathing… Sympathetic Nervous System – prepare for emergencies/strenuous activity (Increases HR, blood flow to needed muscles, slows digestion) Parasympathetic Nervous System – Conserve energy/enhance recovery (bring back to normal state/slows HR & Blood Pressure)

The Nervous System

The Nervous System Neurons Types of Neurons “Nerves” that transmit messages to and from the brain Synapse – space between neurons Neurotransmitters – chemicals that excite or inhibit nerve function Types of Neurons Afferent (Sensory) Relay messages from sense organs to brain (eyes, ears, nose, skin) Efferent (Motor) Send signals from brain to glands and muscles Coordinates movement Interneurons Process signals between neurons

The Nervous System Neurotransmitters Glutamate – memory, learning, communication among receptors GABA – quiet the body and muscles Alcohol = Glutamate receptors slow/GABA work harder Loss of memory and Body Slows (lack of body functions) Norepinephrine – memory and learning Endorphins – inhibit pain Acetylcholine – movement and memory Dopamine – learning, emotional arousal, movement Serotonin – Sleep Regulation

The Brain Three Parts: Hindbrain – Basic processes of life Cerebellum – posture, balance, voluntary movements Medulla – breathing, HR, reflexes Pons – bridge between spinal cord and brain, produces sleep chemicals Midbrain – arouses brain, integrates & relays sensory info Midbrain, medulla, pons compose brain stem Reticular Activating System (RAS) spans across these structures Alerts brain to incoming signals, sleep/wake cycle Forebrain – covers the brain’s central core, higher thinking centers Thalamus – sensory input, relays to and from cortex Hypothalamus – Hunger, Thirst, Sexual Behavior, Temp Control Cerebral Cortex – learn, stores complex and abstract info, see, read, understand Cerebrum – Conscious thinking processes Limbic System – regulate emotions and motivations

The Brain Limbic System, cont. Hypothalamus Amygdala – violent emotions (rage/fear) Thalamus Hippocampus – formation of memories

The Brain Cerebrum, cont. Two hemispheres connected by the Corpus Callosum Complement and help each other Right hemisphere controls left side of body Visual/spatial awareness, Perception, Patterns (Music/art), Creativity Left hemisphere controls right side of body Speech, math ability, calculation, logic Each Hemisphere has regions called lobes Occipital – visual signals processed Parietal – Senses Temporal – hearing, memory, emotion, speaking Frontal – organization, planning, creative thinking Split Brain Operations

The Brain

The Brain Studying the Brain Electrodes Record electrical activity in the brain using an electroencephalograph (EEG) Lesions Cutting/destroying part of a brain (animal) then study behavior changes Accidents Brain injured patients can help draw connections between damaged parts of brain and behavior Disorders Sensory disorders where associations with senses are not “normal” Images CT/PET/MRI Scans – pinpoint damage to structues or activity in brain

The Endocrine System Endocrine System Autonomic Nervous System Endocrine Glands release hormones (chemicals) into blood stream Slower than Nerve Impulses Affect growth, metabolism, stress, mood

The Endocrine System Areas of Hormones: Hypothalamus Pituitary Gland (Controls hormones to receptors) Regulates hormonal activity Thyroid Gland (Neck) Energy use and Protein creation Produces Thyroxine (stimulates chemical reactions for all tissues) Hypothyroidism – lazy and lethargic/Hyperthyroidism – lose weight/sleep, overactive Adrenal Glands (Kidneys) Mood, Energy, Stress Management Increase HR/Breathing Fear/Anxiety Metabolism/Water & Salt levels in body Cortical Steroids – blood pressure, inflammation, immune respone Ovaries/Testicles Growth and Sex Hormones

Heredity and Environment Twin Studies Nature vs. Nurture Video 1 Video 2