AP Psychology NCVPS

AP Psychology NCVPS

The electrochemical communication system of the body Two way communications: from the brain to the body for movement to the brain from the senses

Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, a nerve cell.

The Cell Body, or Soma, contains the nucleus and other parts that keep the cell viable.

Dendrites are the receiving extensions of a neuron. Electrical impulses are received and moved toward the cell body.

Axons are the sending extensions of a neuron. Electrical impulses are received and moved away from the cell body toward the axon terminals.

The myelin sheath acts like insulation, covering the axon and increasing the speed of the neural impulses.

A neural impulse moves from the dendrites, through the cell body, and through the axon before reaching the axon terminal.

Between neurons is a tiny gap known as the synapse, synaptic gap, or synaptic cleft. Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters carry signals across this fluid filled space from one cell’s axons to another’s dendrites. ped.jpg

Different neurotransmitters affect behavior in different ways. Zi63tXYCG8I/T1CXcGt1YDI/AA AAAAAAAOA/ALVMw3a- GGs/s1600/neurotransmitters.gif

Some neurotransmitters have an excitatory effect, making it more likely that the next neuron will “fire.” Others have an inhibitory effect, making it less likely the next neuron will respond. Nerves g/

Therapeutic drugs have been devised to help with specific behavior issues. Agonists mimic a specific neurotransmitter. Antagonists block a neurotransmitter’s effects. Others prevent reuptake or re-absorption. Nerves %20Function%20550.jpg

Some neurons have specialized functions. Receptor cells Sensory Neurons Interneurons Motor Neurons Nerves e%20cell.jpg

 Receptor cells are cells in the sensory systems of the body that can turn other kinds of energy into neural impulses that the brain can process. Nerves

 Receptor cells Nerves

 Sensory neurons (afferent neurons) carry information from the receptors cells to the spinal cord and brain. Nerves RVOUS%20SYSTEM_files/image005.jpg

 Interneurons process information in the brain and spinal cord. Nerves

 Motor neurons (efferent neurons) carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands Nerves RVOUS%20SYSTEM_files/image005.jpg

AP Psychology NCVPS

Remember, the Nervous System is: The electrochemical communication system of the body Two way communications: from the brain to the body for movement to the brain from the senses

The nervous system has multiple divisions. The Central Nervous System The Peripheral Nervous System The Somatic Nervous System The Autonomic Nervous System The Sympathetic Nervous System The Parasympathetic Nervous System

The Nervous System

The Central Nervous System Consists of the brain and the spinal cord Most information processing occurs in the brain. The spinal cord is the main pathway to and from the brain.

The Peripheral Nervous System The system that connects the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body. It is subdivided into the somatic and autonomic nervous systems. Nervoussystem_2011_large.jpg

The Peripheral Nervous System

The Peripheral Nervous System The Autonomic Nervous System The Sympathetic Nervous System The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body Fight or flight response

The Peripheral Nervous System The Autonomic Nervous System The Parasympathetic Nervous System The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body

AP Psychology NCVPS

The Brain is the most complex organ of the human body and is responsible for processing all of neural impulses generated by the Nervous System.

 The most primitive part of our brain.  Contains the hindbrain and the midbrain  From an evolutionary perspective, it controls survival functions of the body.

 Sometimes referred to as the medulla oblongata.  Located at the base of the brainstem  Controls life-supporting functions like heartbeat and breathing  Damage to this area can lead to death.

◦ The “Little Brain” ◦ Processing center for reflexes involved in balance ◦ Also in those used in gross motor coordination

 Located in the midbrain  Involved with sleep, arousal, and sustained attention  Damage to this area can cause a coma  Not fully developed in children (i.e. the shorter attention span of younger children)

 Located where the brainstem and the reticular formation end.  Serves as a communications relay for sensory input  Also involved in sleep and arousal

 A system of structures closely link with the hypothalamus.  Includes the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala  Plays a role in regulating eating, drinking, and sexual activity.  Also linked with aggression

 Part of the Limbic system  Located below the thalamus  Linked to hunger, thirst, sexual activity, and emotionality  Also connected to stress reactions

 Part of the Limbic system  Plays a role in memory, especially short term memory and memory of recent events.

 Part of the Limbic system  Controls emotional responses such as fear and anger

 The most developed structure in the human brain.  Consists of two layers, the outer of which is known as the cerebral cortex.

 The outer layer of the cerebrum.  Divided into two hemispheres  Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes, each with a different function. al_cortex_lobes.html

 A wide band of neurons that connect the right and left hemispheres of the cerebral cortex  Allows communication between the two portions.

 The long crevice that divides the cerebral cortex into left and right hemispheres  This and other fissures in the brain create major divisions in the brain called lobes

 Located behind the forehead.  Involved in planning and judgment  Contains the motor cortex and is involved in all bodily movements. development

 Located on the top of the head and toward the rear  Includes the somatosensory cortex and general association areas used in processing information, including general processing and mathematical reasoning

 Located at the rear of the cerebral cortex  Contains the primary visual processing center of the brain.

 Located roughly above the ears  Contains the auditory processing areas of the brain

 Involved in all bodily movement, both gross and fine.  Much is devoted to fine motor control.

Involved in all bodily sensations.

AP Psychology NCVPS

 The concept of being “left-brained” or “right-brained” is no longer given much credit.  The brain is divided into two hemispheres but the two parts work together Click here for a quick test of right/left brain abilities!

 Both sides communicate through the corpus callosum, except in those with split brains*.  *For more about split brain surgeries, see du/courses/465projects05/splitbr ain/splitbrain4.htm du/courses/465projects05/splitbr ain/splitbrain4.htm

 Contains the brain’s spatial abilities  Allows organizing things in a given space, judging distances, etc.  Helps make connections between words

 Language functions are in the left hemisphere for the majority of the population  For a small percentage of people, language functions are in the right hemisphere.

 The brain area of the left frontal lobe  Directs the muscle movements involve in speech  If damaged the person can form the ideas but cannot express them as speech

 A brain area of the left temporal lobe  Involved in language comprehension and expression  Our ability to understand what is said to us  Usually in the left temporal lobe