Brain’s Building Blocks and the Nervous System Module 3 & 4 Brain’s Building Blocks and the Nervous System 1

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE Our biology affects behavior but…… Biology may not be the sole (single) cause of the behavior. We may also have to consider cognitive and socio-cultural factors, and how these interact with the biological factors. This relationship is bidirectional, meaning that biology can affect cognition and cognition can affect biology.

Section 1: The Principles of the Biological Level of Analysis Key historical and scientific changes focused psychology towards these 3 guiding principles. One discovery was that the brain (and its neurons) influenced behavior 1. Patterns of behavior can be inherited. Behavior may be genetically based. 2. Animal research provides insight into human behavior. Psychologists use rats and monkeys for research but the results cannot always be generalized to humans. 3. There are biological correlates of behavior.

All is correlated with a behavior. Areas of Emphasis Biological Influence Neurotransmitter Hormone, Brain area Gene All is correlated with a behavior.

Biology and Behavior Cognitions, emotions, and behaviors: products of the anatomy and physiology of our nervous and endocrine system. Behavior is biologically determined by physiological processes such as the nervous system neurotransmitters and the endocrine system (hormones)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAIN Genes Chains of chemicals arranged like rungs on a twisting ladder You have about 20,000 to 25,000 genes that contain chemical instructions equaling roughly 300,000 pages of written instructions Genes program the development of individual parts into a complex body and brain REMEMBER THIS IS WHERE PART OF OUR PERSONAILTY COMES FROM DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAIN 6

Human brain How the Brain Works Video STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN Shaped like a small, wrinkled melon 1,350 grams (less than three pounds) Pinkish-white color Consistency of firm Jell-O Fueled by sugar (glucose) 1 trillion cells divided into glial cells Neurons How the Brain Works Video STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN

STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN (CONT’D) Glial cells 900 BILLION OF THESE 3 FUNCITONS 1) Guide the growth of developing neurons 2) Wrap around neurons and form an insulation to prevent interference from other electrical signals 3) Release chemicals that influence a neuron’s growth and function

STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN (CONT’D) These send electronic messages at 200 MPH Neuron (100 BILLION) Brain cell with two specialized extensions One extension is for receiving electrical signals The other extension is for transmitting electrical signals Neurotransmitters-dozen different chemicals that are made by neurons and then used for communication between neurons during the performance of metal or physical activities. 9

NEURON 10

Some Neurotransmitters Function Malfunctions Acetylcholine (Ach) Enables muscle action, learning and memory Alzheimer’s Dopamine Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion. Excess = schizophrenia Starved = Parkinson’s Serotonin Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Undersupply linked to depression Norepinephrine Helps control alertness and arousal. Undersupply can depress mood GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) A major inhibitory neurotransmitter Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors Glutamate Excitatory neuro-transmitter for memory. Oversupply = migraines, seizures Some Neurotransmitters

Neuron Review nerve cells that are the building blocks of behavior; neurons send electrochemical messages to the brain in a response to stimuli from the environment or the body. There are between 10-100 billion neurons in the nervous system, making 13 trillion connections with each other.

Neuron Review Neurotransmission : electrical impulses travel down the neuron body (axon) to send messages to the body. Neurotransmitters (NT): (from within), the body‘s natural chemical messengers transmit information from one neuron to another body organs, such as muscles and heart

NEUROTRANSMITTERS A deficiency (lack of) one or more NT, can cause depression, lifelessness, moods, irritability, sleeplessness, anxiety and panic, brain fog, or stress damage. Main causes of NT deficiency can be: Genetics : your DNA may be responsible for your low or high levels of NTs from birth. Stress : any type of stress (lack of sleep, emotional battles, poor health) will deplete the body of ―feel good‖ NTs Diet : The specific amino acids that our brains need in producing NTs are not supplied by our modern diet .

PARTS OF THE NEURON (CONT’D)

Mirror Neurons The way that brains interact with the environment has a lot to do with how people learn. One of the ways that people learn is by observing others and then imitating their behavior

Mirror Neuron Mirror Neurons: a neuron that fires when an animal (or person) performs an action OR when the animal (or person) observes somebody else performing the same action. The neuron ―mirrors‖ the behavior of another.

Mirror Neurons Mirror neurons appear to play a role in how and why we react to sports, drama, theater, video games, television shows, etc. For example, mirror neurons enable football fans to experience the same feelings as the players they follow, or people in a support group are able to mirror each other feelings. They may account for why we appreciate art, dance, and poetry.

PERIPHERAL & CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CONT’D) Made up of neurons located in the brain and spinal cord 19

Nervous system Consists of 2 Parts The nervous system has two parts. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerve cells that send messages between the central nervous system and other parts of the body. Nerve cells are called neurons.

PERIPHERAL & CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM And the ANWSER…… Peripheral nervous system Made up of nerves located throughout the body, except in the brain and spinal cord (They can regenerate) Nerves String-like bundles of axons and dendrites that come from the spinal cord and are held together by connective tissue Carry information from the senses, skin, muscles, and the body’s organs to and from the spinal cord Those in the peripheral nervous system have the ability to grow or reattach if severed or damaged PERIPHERAL & CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

How Neurotransmitters Influence Us E.Q. “How do neurotransmitters influence human behavior?” Particular neurotransmitters may have specific effects on behavior and emotions. How Neurotransmitters Influence Us

Three things that effect neurotransmitters….Thus your emotions Genetics: your DNA may be responsible for your low or high levels of NTs from birth. Stress: any type of stress (lack of sleep, emotional battles, poor health) will deplete the body of ―feel good‖ NTs Diet: The specific amino acids that our brains need in producing NTs are not supplied by our modern diet.