1. Laurel McKay Period 1

2.  EEG- measures changes in brain electrical activity, can allow for localization of functions in the brain  CAT Scans-make cross-sectional images of the brain  MRI- similar to a CAT scan but generates more detailed pictures of the brain  Functional MRI’s and PET Scans allow scientists to view the brain as it is working, uses a diffusion of radioactive glucose in the brain to highlight the point of interest PET Scan

3.  Central Nervous System: brain & spinal cord  Peripheral Nervous System: all other nerves  Brain= central processing center for thoughts, motivations & emotions (made up of neurons)  In the spinal cord neurons are bundled together into nerves  Afferents=nerves sending info to the brain  Efferents=nerves conveying info from the brain  Most movements are controlled by the brain but some are controlled by transmission from afferent to efferent cells

4.  The Peripheral Nervous System can be divided into: - Somatic Nervous System -Autonomic Nervous System  Somatic: responsible for voluntary movement of large skeletal muscles  Autonomic: controls the nonskeletal or smooth muscles (ex: in the heart and digestive tract)

5.  Autonomic Nervous System divides into: ◦ Sympathetic Nervous System ◦ Parasympathetic Nervous System  Sympathetic: associated with processes that burn energy, fight or flight reaction  Parasympathetic: associated with conserving energy

6.  Brain’s 3 regions: Forebrain, Midbrain, Hindbrain  Forebrain= limbic system, hypothalamus, thalamus & cerebral cortex  Limbic System: area of the brain involved in learning, emotion, and memory, includes the hippocampus (learning and memory formation), the amygdala (used when angry), and the septum (used when fearful)  Hypothalamus: controls the temperature and water balance of the body & the ANS & the endocrine system  Thalamus: gateway for sensory input to the brain  Cerebral Cortex: outer layer of the brain, used in higher cognitive functions (thinking, language use, etc.)

7.  Midbrain=reticular activating system (consciousness, attention, wakefulness), processes sensory input  The midbrain, hindbrain, thalamus & hypothalamus form the brain stem (junction between the brain & spinal cord)

8.  Hindbrain=cerebellum, medulla oblongata & pons  Cerebellum: controls muscle tone and balance  Medulla Oblongata: controls heart rate, swallowing, breathing, and digestion  Pons: passes info from one brain to another  Cerebral Cortex: covers the outer surface of the brain  Corpus Callosum: a band of nerves that joins together the two halves of the brain

9.  Frontal Lobe: higher level thought and reasoning, contains the primary motor cortex  Parietal Lobe: somatosensory info, contains the primary somatosensory cortex (temp., pressure, texture and pain)  Temporal Lobe: auditory input  Occipital Lobe: visual input  Apraxia: inability to organize movement  Agnosia: inability to process sensory input  Alexia: the inability to read

10.  Nerves=bundles of neurons  Soma= cell body  Dendrites=branch out from the soma  Axon=a long, tube-like structure that responds to input from dendrites and soma  Myelin Sheath=fatty coating around the axon  Terminal buttons=knobs on the branched end of the axon

11.  Resting potential: the electrical charge of a neuron at rest  Once the electrical charge reaches minus 50 millivolts the neuron will be ready to fire which leads to…  Action Potential: the nerve impulse/ sending the message  During action potential the axon membrane is pierced by ion channels, then sodium ions rush into the axon  After the impulse there is a negative after-potential (a drop in electrical charge below the resting potential)  Neurotransmitters: chemical messengers that cross the synapse (ex: acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine)

13.  Relays info from one part of the body to another using glands that release hormones  Pituitary Gland: master gland, releases hormones to other glands, controlled by the hypothalamus  Adrenal gland secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline)  Thyroid Gland: at the front of the neck, regulates metabolism

14.  The application of principles of evolutionary theory to the study of behavior  Traits: distinctive characteristics or behavior patterns that are determined by genetics  A dominant trait is more likely to be expressed in offspring than a recessive trait  The environment influences us too  Nature vs. Nurture debate  Genetic Abnormalities cause disorders such as Down’s Syndrome (a break in the 21 st chromosome)