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Chapter 3
Biopsychology
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What is Biopsychology?
Biopsychology – The specialty in psychology that studies the interaction of biology, behavior, and the environment.
Neuroscience – Interdisciplinary field that focuses on the brain and its role in psychological processes.
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3. How Are Genes and Behavior Linked?
Evolution has fundamentally shaped psychological processes because it favors genetic variations that produce adaptive behavior.
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4. 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.
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5. Evolution and Natural Selection
Natural selection – The driving force behind evolution, by which the environment “selects” the fittest organisms.
Evolution and Natural Selection
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Genes and Inheritance
Genotype – An organism’s genetic makeup.
Phenotype – An organism’s observable physical characteristics.
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8. Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA
DNA – A long, complex molecule that encodes genetic characteristics.
Genes – The functional units of a chromosome
composed of nucleotides.
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10. Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA
Chromosomes – Tightly coiled threadlike structures along which the genes are organized.
Sex chromosomes – The X and Y chromosomes that determine our physical sex characteristics.
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12. Genetic Explanations for Psychological Processes
Genes influence our psychological characteristics as well as our physical traits.
Nature vs Nurture
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13. Nature vs Nurture Nurture Nature ENVIRONMENT
- Family, culture, education, and individual differences
Nature
GENETICS
- The characteristics a person inherits
- Biological makeup

14. How Does the Body Communicate Internally?
The body’s two communication systems, the nervous system and the endocrine system, both use chemical messengers to communicate with targets throughout the body.
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16. The Structure of a Neuron
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The Neuron
Types of Neurons:
Sensory (afferent) neurons - carry messages from sense receptors towards the brain.
Motor (efferent) neurons - carry messages from the brain toward muscles and glands.
Interneurons - carry messages between nerve cells.
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The Neural Impulse
Resting potential
- Electrical charge of the axon when in its inactive state.
Action potential
- The neuron fires; the charge travels down the axon and causes neurotransmitters to be released.
ALL-OR-NONE!!!
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The Neural Impulse
Synapse
- The gap between neurons.
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The Neural Impulse
Synaptic transmission
- Relaying information across the synapse by means of chemical neurotransmitters.
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Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters – Chemical messengers that relay neural messages across the synapse.
ANIMATION
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23. Seven Important Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
GABA
Endorphins
Glutamate
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24. Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, memory problems, ADHD
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Produces sensations of pleasure and reward; used by CNS neurons in voluntary movement
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Deficit:
Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, memory problems, ADHD
Acetylcholine
GABA
Endorphins
Surplus:
Schizophrenia, drug addiction
Glutamate
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25. Regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and sexual behavior
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Regulates sleep, mood, appetite, and sexual behavior
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Deficit:
Depression, anger, and mood disorders
Acetylcholine
GABA
Endorphins
Surplus:
Mania
Glutamate
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Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Used for arousal in the flight/fight response, plays a role in learning and memory retrieval
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Deficit:
Low energy, depression
Acetylcholine
GABA
Endorphins
Surplus:
Anxiety
Glutamate
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27. Stimulates muscle contractions; involved in memory
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Stimulates muscle contractions; involved in memory
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Deficit:
Lack of muscle movement, paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease
Acetylcholine
GABA
Endorphins
Surplus:
Muscle spasms
Glutamate
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28. Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Normal Function:
Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Deficit:
Anxiety, seizures
Acetylcholine
GABA
Surplus:
Sleep and eating disorders
Endorphins
Glutamate
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29. Pleasurable sensations, reduction of stress, and control of pain
Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Normal Function:
Pleasurable sensations, reduction of stress, and control of pain
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
Deficit:
Chronic pain
GABA
Surplus:
Artificial highs; body might not give warning about pain
Endorphins
Glutamate
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30. Associated with epileptic seizures
Neurotransmitters
Normal Function:
Primary excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in learning and memory, movement
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Deficit:
none
Acetylcholine
GABA
Surplus:
Associated with epileptic seizures
Endorphins
Glutamate
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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.
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Glial Cells
Glial cells:
Provide structural support for neurons
Help in forming new synapses
Form myelin sheath
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33. The Organization of the Nervous System
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Central nervous system (CNS)
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
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34. Two Divisions of the Nervous System
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Made up of the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Nerves branching out from the spinal cord.

35. Two Divisions of the PNS
Somatic NS – controls voluntary behaviors
Autonomic NS – controls involuntary behaviors
Sympathetic – “fight or flight”
Parasympathetic – “rest and digest”

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The Endocrine System
(the body’s chemical messenger system)
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The Endocrine System
Pituitary gland
“Master gland”
Produces hormones influencing the secretions of all other endocrine glands.
Produces hormones that influences growth.
Video Clip - Gigantism
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38. The Endocrine System Thyroid gland - Affects metabolism
Hypothyroidism – makes people feel lazy and lethargic.
Hyperthyroidism – causes people to lose weight and be overactive.

39. The Endocrine System Adrenal glands
- Release adrenaline into the bloodstream.
- Help trigger the “fight or flight” response.
Causes heart rate and breathing to increase
Heightens emotions (fear, anxiety)

40. The Endocrine System Sex glands: Ovaries Testes
- Produce eggs and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Testes
- Produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.

41. Hormones vs Neurotransmitters
Endocrine System
- Glands release hormones into the bloodstream.
Nervous System
- Neurons release neurotransmitters to either excite or inhibit other neurons.

42. 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.
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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.
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The Brain
Lesions – Tissue damage that results from disease or injury.
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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)
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46. Three Layers of the Brain
Brain stem and cerebellum
~Drive vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion.
medulla, pons, reticular formation, thalamus
Limbic system
~Adds emotions, complex motives, increased memory abilities.
hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus
Cerebrum
~Enables reasoning, planning, creating, problem solving.
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47. Three Layers of the Brain
Brain stem and cerebellum
~Drive vital functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion.
medulla
pons
reticular formation
thalamus
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48. Medulla Oblongata
Controls breathing and heartbeat.

49. Pons
Regulates brain activity during sleep and dreaming.

50. Reticular Formation
Responsible for arousal of the sympathetic nervous system.
Keeps the brain alert & attentive
- Reticular Activating System (RAS)

51. Thalamus Relay Station
Sends messages from the body to the appropriate part of the brain.

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53. Responsible for balance and motor movement.
Cerebellum
Responsible for balance and motor movement.

54. The Brain Stem and Cerebellum
Thalamus
Pons
Cerebellum
Medulla
Brain stem
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55. Three Layers of the Brain
Limbic system
~Adds emotions, complex motives, increased memory abilities.
hippocampus
amygdala
hypothalamus
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The Limbic System
Hippocampus – Involved in establishing long-term memories.
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The Limbic System
Amygdala – Involved in memory and emotion, particularly fear and aggression.
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The Limbic System
Hypothalamus – Serves as the brain’s blood-testing laboratory, constantly monitors blood to determine the condition of the body.
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The Four Lobes
Frontal lobe (thinking, planning, decision-making)
Parietal lobe (touch sensations and spatial relationships)
Occipital lobe (visual signals)
Temporal lobe (processes sounds, including hearing and speech)
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Frontal Lobe
Motor Cortex
Controls voluntary movement
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Somatosensory Cortex
Sensations and touch
Parietal Lobe
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Visual Cortex
Visual processing area
Occipital Lobe
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Temporal Lobe
Auditory Cortex
Helps to make sense of sounds
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Language
Broca’s Area
Producing language
Wernicke’s Area
Understanding language
Aphasia
Loss of speech caused by brain damage
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Corpus Callosum
The band of nerve cells that connects the two hemispheres.
The Brain
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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.
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Cerebral dominance – Tendency of each brain hemisphere to exert control over different functions.
Cerebral Dominance
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Cerebral Hemispheres
Left Hemisphere
Right Hemisphere
Creativity
Facial recognition
Memory for shapes and music
Spatial interpretation
Negative emotion
Logical
Mathematical
Memory for words and numbers
Word recognition
Positive emotion
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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.
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70. Split-Brain Operations
A treatment option for those suffering from grand mal seizures.
Separating the brain hemispheres by severing the corpus callosum lessons the number and severity of seizures.
Mr. Split-Brainy

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The
End
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