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

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

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.

I. Neural Communication

A. 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!

Parts of a Neuron Dendrite Bushy, branching extensions Receive information and conduct impulses toward the cell body LISTEN

Parts of a Neuron Axon Passes the message along to other SPEAKS Neurons Muscles Glands SPEAKS

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

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

Neurons

How Neurons Communicate

Threshold The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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

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

Action Potential

How Neurons Communicate

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

Reuptake a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron.

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

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-”excites or mimics” Antagonists- “blocks or prevents”

Agonists and Antagonists

II. 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 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

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.

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

III. 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