Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Chapter 3 Biopsychology and the Foundations of Neuroscience This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images Any rental, lease or lending of the program. ISBN:

Random Brain info -Size of a grapefruit -weighs three pounds -pinkish grey and wrinkled surface -home of 100 billion nerve cells which connect to 10,000 other nerve cells -200,000 nerve cells die each day of adult life- but regenerate each day Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

What is Biopsychology? Biopsychology – The specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and the environment. (a division of nueroscience) Neuroscience – Interdisciplinary field that focuses on the brain and its role in psychological processes

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evolution has fundamentally shaped psychological processes because it favors genetic variations that produce adaptive behavior How Are Genes and Behavior Linked?

Evolution and the Darwin Myths Darwin never said” humans come from Monkeys.” In fact, nobody who studies evolution would say this. Rather, “they say we had a common ancestor millions of years ago.” Also behavior does not alter heredity. Rather, Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

How Are Genes and Behavior Linked? Innate – Inborn; present at birth; part of the organism’s biological heritage Evolution – The gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Evolution and Natural Selection Natural selection – The driving force behind evolution, by which the environment “selects” the fittest organisms

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 How Natural Selection Works Environmental pressure (changes in the environment) Competition (for resources) Selection of fittest phenotype (from among a variety of phenotypes) Reproductive success (genotype corresponding to fittest phenotypes passed to next generation) Frequency of that genotype increases (in next generation)

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Genes and Inheritance Genotype – An organism’s genetic makeup Phenotype – An organism’s observable physical characteristics

Genotype Vs. Phenotype The genotype is the blueprint, then the resulting physical structure is the phenotype. Heredity never acts alone but always in partnership with the environment. This includes bio influences such as nutrition, disease and stress. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Genes and Inheritance Mutations – Genetic variations, which occur randomly, especially during the recombination of chromosomes in sexual reproduction

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA DNA – A long, complex molecule that encodes genetic characteristics Genes – The functional units of a chromosome Composed of nucleotides

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Sex chromosomes – The X and Y chromosomes that determine our physical sex characteristics Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA Chromosomes – Tightly coiled threadlike structures along which the genes are organized

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Genetic Explanations for Psychological Processes Genes influence our psychological characteristics as well as our physical traits

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The body’s two communication systems, the nervous system and the endocrine system, both use chemical messengers to communicate with targets throughout the body How Does the Body Communicate Internally?

The Nervous System The building of the Nervous system is the Neuron. Neuron's can also be called nerve cells. A neuron is a cell specialized to receive, process and transmit information to other cells. This process very fast. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

How Fast do neurons transmit messages? A typical neuron may receive information from a thousand other neurons and, within a fraction of a second, “decide” to pass it along at speeds up to 100 meters per second to a thousand more neurons- sometimes as many as 10,000 more nuerons. (Crazy Fast!!) Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

The Neuron Types of Neurons- 3 types: Sensory neurons/ Afferent neurons (carry messages from sense receptors towards the CNS) Motor neurons/ Efferent neurons (carry messages from CNS toward muscles and glands) Interneurons/ (carry messages between nerve cells) ***Note: CNS means Central Nervous System.

Sensory Neurons/ Afferent Neurons Another name for Sensory neurons is Afferent Neurons. They act as a one way street and they carry information from the sense organs towards the brain. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Motor Neurons/ Efferent Neurons These Neurons form the one way route that transport messages away from the brain to the muscles, organs, and glands. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Interneurons Sensory and Motor neurons rarely communicate directly with each other. Instead they rely upon their “go between”, interneurons. Interneurons as you might expect are largely located in the spinal cord and brain. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

The Structure of a Neuron

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Neural Impulse Neural impulse – Brief electric surge that carries the neuron’s message Ions – Charged particles that are moved across the cell membrane

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Neural Impulse Resting potential Action potential Synapse Synaptic transmission

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters – Chemical messengers that relay neural messages across the synapse

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Seven Important Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Glutamine Norepinephrine GABA Endorphins

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007NeurotransmittersDopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Glutamine Norepinephrine GABA Endorphins Normal Function: Produces sensations of pleasure and reward; used by CNS neurons in voluntary movement Problems with Imbalance: Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease Substances that Affect: Cocaine, amphetamines, Ritalin, alcohol

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Glutamine Norepinephrine GABA Endorphins Normal Function: Regulates sleep and dreaming, mood, pain, aggression, appetite and sexual behavior Problems with Imbalance: Depression, certain anxiety disorders, obsessive- compulsive disorder Substances that Affect: Prozac, hallucinogenics (e.g. LSD)

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Glutamine Norepinephrine GABA Endorphins Normal Function: Controls heart rate, sleep, sexual responsiveness, stress, vigilance and appetite Problems with Imbalance: High blood pressure, depression Substances that Affect: Tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Glutamine Norepinephrine GABA Endorphins Normal Function: Primary transmitter used by neurons carrying messages from CNS; involved in some kinds of learning and memory Problems with Imbalance: Certain muscular disorders, Alzheimer’s disease Substances that Affect: Nicotine, botulism toxin, curare, atropine

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Glutamine Norepinephrine GABA Endorphins Normal Function: Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in neurons of CNS Problems with Imbalance: Anxiety, epilepsy Substances that Affect: Barbiturates, tranquilizers (e.g. Valium, Librium), alcohol

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Glutamine Norepinephrine GABA Endorphins Normal Function: Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS; involved in learning and memory Problems with Imbalance: Brain damage after stroke Substances that Affect: PCP (“angel dust”)

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Neurotransmitters Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Glutamine Norepinephrine GABA Endorphins Normal Function: Pleasurable sensations and control of pain Problems with Imbalance: Lowered levels resulting from opiate addiction Substances that Affect: Opiates: opium, heroin, morphine, methadone

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Plasticity Plasticity – Ability of the nervous system to adapt or change as the result of experience; sometimes helps the nervous system adapt to physical damage

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Glial Cells Glial cells Provide structural support for neurons Help in forming new synapses Form myelin sheath

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Organization of the Nervous System Nervous system Peripheral nervous system Central nervous system (CNS) Autonomic nervous system Somatic nervous system Sympathetic nervous system Parasympathetic nervous system

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Endocrine System (the body’s chemical messenger system)

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Endocrine System Pituitary gland – Master gland that produces hormones influencing the secretions of all other endocrine glands; produces hormone that influences growth; attached to hypothalamus

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 How Does the Brain Produce Behavior and Mental Processes? The brain is composed of many specialized modules that work together to create mind and behavior

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Windows on the Brain EEG (electroencephalograph) – Device for recording brain waves, typically by electrodes placed on the scalp Brain waves – Patterns of electrical activity generated by the brain

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Windows on the Brain Epilepsy – Brain disorder that is often marked by seizures and loss of consciousness; caused by out-of-control electrical activity in the brain

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Windows on the Brain Lesions – Tissue damage that results from disease or injury

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Windows on the Brain Brain scans – Recordings of the brain’s electrical or biochemical activity at specific sites CT scanning (computerized tomography) PET scanning (positron emission tomography) MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Three Layers of the Brain Brain stem and cerebellum Drive vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion Limbic system Adds emotions, complex motives, increased memory abilities Cerebrum Enables reasoning, planning, creating, problem solving

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Brain Stem and Cerebellum Thalamus Pons Cerebellum Medulla Brain stem

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Limbic System Hypothalamus – Serves as the brain’s blood- testing laboratory, constantly monitors blood to determine the condition of the body

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Limbic System Amygdala – Involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Limbic System Hippocampus – Involved in establishing long-term memories

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Cerebrum Cerebrum – Topmost layer of the brain; the bulbous cap over the limbic system Cerebral cortex – Thin gray-matter covering of the cerebrum; carries on thinking and perceiving Cerebral hemispheres – The two walnut shaped halves of the cerebrum, connected by the corpus callosum

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Four Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex Frontal lobes (movement and thinking) Parietal lobes (touch sensation and spatial relationships) Occipital lobes (contain visual cortex) Temporal lobes (process sounds, including speech)

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Cooperative Brain Association cortex – Cortical regions that combine information from various other parts of the brain

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Cerebral Dominance Cerebral dominance – Tendency of each brain hemisphere to exert control over different functions Aphasia – The loss of speech caused be brain damage Spatial orientation – Process of locating one’s body or other objects in space

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Specialization of the Cerebral Hemispheres Left Hemisphere Right Hemisphere Spontaneous speaking and writing Responses to complex commands Word recognition Memory for words and numbers Sequences of movements Feelings of anxiety Positive emotion Repetitive but not spontaneous speaking Responses to simple commands Facial recognition Memory for shapes and music Spatial interpretation Emotional responsiveness Negative emotion

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 The Split Brain Split-brain patients – Individuals who have had the corpus callosum surgically severed Duality of consciousness – Condition in which a split-brain patient has a separate consciousness in each hemisphere

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 End of Chapter 3