1. Topic: brain Date: 9/18/15
Why is it important for psychologists to understand the various biological functions of the brain?

2. Test Corrections (20 mins)
For each question you missed, write the following:
Question #___________
Answer ____ makes more sense than ____ because___________.

3. Why Psychologists Study The Brain:
Biological psychology, or biopsychology, is the scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and mental processes.
Biological psychology makes important contributions to neuroscience—the scientific study of the nervous system.

4. The Nervous System Two Parts
Central Nervous System: Brain + Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System: smaller branches of the nerves that reach other parts of the body

5. Organization and Function of the Nervous System
Involuntary means things like blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, etc. Have them try to think of examples

6. Autonomic System Two Divisions of the Autonomic System:
Sympathetic: Arouses body; emergency system
Parasympathetic: Quiets body; most active after an emotional event

7. Sympathetic or Parasympathetic
1. You get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize you are lost in a run-down section of a large, unfamiliar city late at night.
2. You are so exhilarated before a soccer match, you know you are ready to devastate your opponents.
3. When the performance for which you have been preparing so hard for is finally over, you find yourself overcome with drowsiness.
4. During an exam, you are so concerned that somebody will think you are cheating that you keep your eyes fixed on your own paper and struggle to hold onto your pen with sweaty hands.
5. You are shivering in a cold wind.  
6. The sound of soothing music helps calm you after a very frustrating test.
7. After dealing with a difficult supervisor all day, you come to psychology class and fall asleep.
8. You have just completed your first downhill skiing event. You are totally exhilarated, and to your own amazement, you cannot wait to try the whole thing again.
unfamiliar city [sympathetic]
soccer match [sympathetic]
performance over [parasympathetic]
exam cheating [sympathetic]
cold wind [sympathetic]
soothing music [parasympathetic]
fall asleep [parasympathetic]
downhill skiing [sympathetic]

8. Neuron Neuron: Individual nerve cells
Function: allow messages to travel to and from the brain.
Video :)

9. Basic Structure of a Neuron- Color and follow the directions on the handout
Dendrites: receive messages from other neurons and send them to the cell body.
Cell body: includes Nucleus – DNA - chromosomes
Axon: carries message away toward the dendrites of another neuron.
Myelin Sheath: insulates and protects the axon.
Axon (Synaptic) Terminals: connect axons to dendrites

11. What is a Synapse?
Messages from one neuron to another pass over a microscopic gap called a synapse

12. Neurotransmitters.
Chemicals that alter activity in neurons; brain chemicals that carry messages.
Acetylcholine: Activates muscles
Dopamine: Muscle control
Serotonin: Mood and appetite control
Oversupply or undersupply of neurotransmitters can cause a variety of problems.

13. Candy Neuron Questions
1. What candy will send messages out of one neuron to the other? Which candy will receive the message?
2. If a synapse is a gap between neurons, how is the message received?
3. Neurons are affected by genetics, how do you know this?

14. Topic: nervous systems
What is the difference between the somatic nervous system (SNS) and automatic nervous system (ANS)?