PSYC 101 Week 3

Biological Elements and Functions of Psychology Neurons Nervous System Endocrine System Brain

Neurons What is a neuron? What does a neuron do? Nerve cell A main component of the nervous system What does a neuron do? Messenger for the body Transmits “messages” from areas around and even outside of the body to the appropriate places or areas within the body and within its functions

Neuron Components Dendrites Axons Terminal Buttons Myelin Sheath

Dendrites Fibers that are connected to one end of a neuron Receive messages from other neurons

Axons Connected to a neuron On opposite side as the dendrites Tubular structure, very long Transmits, or sends out, received messages

Terminal Buttons Located at the end of an Axon Message deliverer Sends messages to another neuron Small in size, usually shaped like a sphere

Myelin Sheath Composed of fat and protein Coating that covers and protects the axons Necessary to keep the messages separate Eliminates interference of one message (impulse) with another

Neuron Function Messages, or impulses, travel through a neuron Messages/impulses are electrical in nature Can only travel, be passed, in one direction Known as “firing” when neurons are transmitting Only on or off, no middle ground Neurons fire completely or not at all

Neuron Function continued Resting state Firing state Can vary in intensity Necessary to be able to interpret different dimensions E.g.: tap versus slap E.g.: playful punch versus fighting punch E.g.: the weight of an item (bowling ball versus rubber bouncy ball)

Neuron Function continued 2 Action potential Firing Reloading Rest/Recoup Ability to fire again

Mirror Neurons Neurons that receive information based off of second-hand experience Neurons fire in a different manner when observed from another individual Still fire but not in same way as if done by self Can be useful because: May allow for interpretation of other’s behaviors May allow for interpretation of other’s motives, goals, understandings, etc. (functions or reasons behind the behaviors)

Synapses Chemical connection Actual space that allows for connections without being physically connected Located between neurons Terminal buttons near dendrites These two components send messages across, terminal button (sender) to dendrite (receiver)

Synapses continued Neurotransmitters are necessary for synapses to occur Carry messages from terminal buttons to dendrites A “chemical courier” ***NOTE: Messages are conducted through neuron by electrical impulses but from neuron to neuron through chemical means

Neurotransmitters Chemical composition Different types of neurotransmitters Vary in area of production (where neurotransmitter originated from) Can deliver same message with different results, depending on where it is being sent Excitatory in one area of brain and inhibitory in another

Messages Not all messages will be able to be delivered Some receptors are not compatible with the neurotransmitters Types of messages Excitatory “Excites” the neuron Motivates neuron to transmit message to next neuron Inhibitory “Inhibits” the neuron Motivates neuron to disengage message, not to send it

PG 53, Review Dopamine Serotonin

The Nervous System Nervous System parts: Central Nervous System Peripheral Nervous System

Central Nervous System Composed of brain and spinal cord

Spinal Cord Cord of neurons that runs down length of back Message center for rest of body Also controls some elements of behavior and function without direction from brain Responsible for automatic reflexes (not all reflexes though)

Reflexes Dependent on neurons: Sensory (afferent) Motor (efferent) Perimeter of body to CNS Motor (efferent) Nervous system to muscles and glands Interneurons Sensory and motor neuron communication

Peripheral Nervous System Everything else that CNS does not cover Somatic Division Controllable, conscious actions (voluntary) Sense organ communication Autonomic Division Basic survival functions and necessities Uncontrolled, unconscious (involuntary) actions

Autonomic Division Sympathetic Parasympathetic Excitatory reactions Preparation for threatening situations Where “fight or flight” is housed Parasympathetic Calming reactions Takes over after sympathetic division is initiated *These systems work together, as partners, to control your body and responses

Behavioral Genetics Nature versus nurture (yet again!) Effects on things such as: Sexuality/sexual orientation Personality Cognitive abilities/IQ Psychological disorders Responses and interactions Coping mechanisms and strategies

Dealing with Behavioral Genetics Gene therapy Injection of healthy genes intended to counteract those that are not working properly and/or are an issue Genetic counseling Therapy designed to help those in need cope and deal with difficulties resulting from inherited disorders

The Endocrine System Chemical system Uses bloodstream as method for communication Interacts with nervous system

Components of Endocrine System Hormones Chemicals Travel in bloodstream Regulate bodily growth and functioning Only received by certain cells that are equipped to handle the specific hormone Pituitary Gland Secretes hormones that control bodily growth Controls and regulates glands that deal with: Sexual urges Energy levels Emotions/reactions

Discussion Break Discuss how disturbing one’s natural bodily function by way of injecting hormones might: Help/assist Harm/interfere Be necessary Be completely inappropriate and/or unnecessary

The Brain

The Brain, Segmented Central Core Limbic System Cerebral Cortex

The Central Core Basic in all vertebrates Components: Hindbrain Medulla Pons Cerebellum Reticular formation Thalamus Hypothalamus

Central Core, Hindbrain Houses some of the other components Medulla Pons Cerebellum Located at base of brain, basically on top of spinal cord

Central Core, Medulla Controls certain necessary, unconscious bodily functions Breathing Heartbeat Circulation Located above spinal cord next to Reticular Formation Below cerebellum and pons

Central Core, Pons Connects the two parts of the Cerebellum A sort of “transmitter” Deals with motor information Coordinates muscle movement Coordinates right and left side of body movement Handles other functions Includes handling sleep regulation

Central Core, Cerebellum Controls balance Muscle coordination Receives and interacts with feedback from muscles Alcohol inhibits Cerebellum functioning How can we know this? Observable behaviors…

Cerebellum continued Sensory information Problem solving

Central Core, Reticular Formation Runs from Medulla to Forebrain (lengthy) Nerve cell composition Activates bodily awareness Includes arousal (not only sexual) Helps to identify if a response/reaction is needed Assists in coordinating undisturbed sleep Allows for background elements to be unnoticed or undisruptive (to a degree)

Central Core, Thalamus Involves sensory information 5 senses: see, hear, taste, touch, smell Communicates to higher parts of brain

Central Core, Hypothalamus Located below Thalamus Keeps body regulating Like on autopilot Homeostasis Regulates elements such as Body temperature Nutrient storage and use Survival functions/Basic instincts Eating Sex Self-protection

The Limbic System Components: Amygdala Hippocampus

Limbic System Amygdala and Hippocampus Involved in emotions Regulation Responses Interactions/reactions Intense responses/changes can occur if damaged Damage can be physical or psychological Also involved with Learning Memory Pleasure Self-preservation **Referred to as “Animal Brain”**

Cerebral Cortex Components: Four main “lobes” Frontal lobe Temporal lobe Occipital lobe Parietal lobe

Functioning of the Cerebral Cortex Motor area Motor functioning Very distinct Can be manipulated to produce exact functions Sensory area Body sensations (touch, pressure, etc.) Sight Sound

Functioning of Cerebral Cortex continued Association areas Higher mental processes Thinking Language Memory Speech Planning Goal Setting Judgment Impulse control

Neuroplasticity Reorganization of brain Done internally Controlled by brain

Neuroplasticity continued Development of new cells New neurons (neurogenesis) New neural connections Development in complexity of connections Renewal of damaged/old neurons

Hemispheres What do you know?

Right Hemisphere of Brain Spatial relationships Pattern recognition Drawing Music Emotional expression

Left Hemisphere of Brain Verbal competence Reading Writing Speaking Thinking Information processing Piece by piece

For Discussion Topics: Differences in hemispheres between: Biofeedback Genders Cultures Age groups/generations Biofeedback Ability to control and regulate one’s bodily elements through conscious thought Blood pressure Heart rate Respiration rate Agree/disagree? Why? Thoughts? Concerns? Comments?