1. PSYC 101
Week 3

2. Biological Elements and Functions of Psychology
Neurons
Nervous System
Endocrine System
Brain

3. Neurons What is a neuron? What does a neuron do? Nerve cell
A main component of the nervous system
What does a neuron do?
Messenger for the body
Transmits “messages” from areas around and even outside of the body to the appropriate places or areas within the body and within its functions

4. Neuron Components
Dendrites
Axons
Terminal Buttons
Myelin Sheath

5. Dendrites Fibers that are connected to one end of a neuron
Receive messages from other neurons

6. Axons Connected to a neuron On opposite side as the dendrites
Tubular structure, very long
Transmits, or sends out, received messages

7. Terminal Buttons Located at the end of an Axon Message deliverer
Sends messages to another neuron
Small in size, usually shaped like a sphere

8. Myelin Sheath Composed of fat and protein
Coating that covers and protects
the axons
Necessary to keep the messages
separate
Eliminates interference of one
message (impulse) with
another

9. Neuron Function Messages, or impulses, travel through a neuron
Messages/impulses are electrical in nature
Can only travel, be passed, in one direction
Known as “firing” when neurons are transmitting
Only on or off, no middle ground
Neurons fire completely or not at all

10. Neuron Function continued
Resting state
Firing state
Can vary in intensity
Necessary to be able to interpret different dimensions
E.g.: tap versus slap
E.g.: playful punch versus fighting punch
E.g.: the weight of an item (bowling ball versus rubber bouncy ball)

11. Neuron Function continued 2
Action potential
Firing
Reloading
Rest/Recoup
Ability to fire again

12. Mirror Neurons
Neurons that receive information based off of second-hand experience
Neurons fire in a different manner when observed from another individual
Still fire but not in same way as if done by self
Can be useful because:
May allow for interpretation of other’s behaviors
May allow for interpretation of other’s motives, goals, understandings, etc. (functions or reasons behind the behaviors)

13. Synapses Chemical connection
Actual space that allows for connections without being physically connected
Located between neurons
Terminal buttons near dendrites
These two components send messages across, terminal button (sender) to dendrite (receiver)

15. Synapses continued
Neurotransmitters are necessary for synapses to occur
Carry messages from terminal buttons to dendrites
A “chemical courier”
***NOTE:
Messages are conducted through neuron by electrical impulses but from neuron to neuron through chemical means

16. Neurotransmitters Chemical composition
Different types of neurotransmitters
Vary in area of production (where neurotransmitter originated from)
Can deliver same message with different results, depending on where it is being sent
Excitatory in one area of brain and inhibitory in another

17. Messages Not all messages will be able to be delivered
Some receptors are not compatible with the neurotransmitters
Types of messages
Excitatory
“Excites” the neuron
Motivates neuron to transmit message to next neuron
Inhibitory
“Inhibits” the neuron
Motivates neuron to disengage message, not to send it

18. PG 53, Review
Dopamine
Serotonin

19. The Nervous System Nervous System parts: Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System

20. Central Nervous System
Composed of brain and spinal cord

21. Spinal Cord Cord of neurons that runs down length of back
Message center for rest of body
Also controls some elements of behavior and function without direction from brain
Responsible for automatic reflexes (not all reflexes though)

22. Reflexes Dependent on neurons: Sensory (afferent) Motor (efferent)
Perimeter of body to CNS
Motor (efferent)
Nervous system to muscles and glands
Interneurons
Sensory and motor neuron communication

23. Peripheral Nervous System
Everything else that CNS does not cover
Somatic Division
Controllable, conscious actions (voluntary)
Sense organ communication
Autonomic Division
Basic survival functions and necessities
Uncontrolled, unconscious (involuntary) actions

24. Autonomic Division Sympathetic Parasympathetic Excitatory reactions
Preparation for threatening situations
Where “fight or flight” is housed
Parasympathetic
Calming reactions
Takes over after sympathetic division is initiated
*These systems work together, as partners, to control your body and responses

25. Behavioral Genetics Nature versus nurture (yet again!)
Effects on things such as:
Sexuality/sexual orientation
Personality
Cognitive abilities/IQ
Psychological disorders
Responses and interactions
Coping mechanisms and strategies

26. Dealing with Behavioral Genetics
Gene therapy
Injection of healthy genes intended to counteract those that are not working properly and/or are an issue
Genetic counseling
Therapy designed to help those in need cope and deal with difficulties resulting from inherited disorders

27. The Endocrine System Chemical system
Uses bloodstream as method for communication
Interacts with nervous system

28. Components of Endocrine System
Hormones
Chemicals
Travel in bloodstream
Regulate bodily growth and functioning
Only received by certain cells that are equipped to handle the specific hormone
Pituitary Gland
Secretes hormones that control bodily growth
Controls and regulates glands that deal with:
Sexual urges
Energy levels
Emotions/reactions

29. Discussion Break
Discuss how disturbing one’s natural bodily function by way of injecting hormones might:
Help/assist
Harm/interfere
Be necessary
Be completely inappropriate and/or unnecessary

30. The Brain

31. The Brain, Segmented
Central Core
Limbic System
Cerebral Cortex

32. The Central Core Basic in all vertebrates Components: Hindbrain
Medulla
Pons
Cerebellum
Reticular formation
Thalamus
Hypothalamus

33. Central Core, Hindbrain
Houses some of the other components
Medulla
Pons
Cerebellum
Located at base of brain, basically on top of spinal cord

34. Central Core, Medulla
Controls certain necessary, unconscious bodily functions
Breathing
Heartbeat
Circulation
Located above spinal cord
next to Reticular Formation
Below cerebellum and pons

35. Central Core, Pons Connects the two parts of the Cerebellum
A sort of “transmitter”
Deals with motor information
Coordinates muscle movement
Coordinates right and left side of body movement
Handles other functions
Includes handling sleep regulation

36. Central Core, Cerebellum
Controls balance
Muscle coordination
Receives and interacts with feedback from muscles
Alcohol inhibits Cerebellum functioning
How can we know this? Observable behaviors…

37. Cerebellum continued
Sensory information
Problem solving

38. Central Core, Reticular Formation
Runs from Medulla to Forebrain (lengthy)
Nerve cell composition
Activates bodily awareness
Includes arousal (not only sexual)
Helps to identify if a response/reaction is needed
Assists in coordinating undisturbed sleep
Allows for background elements to be unnoticed or undisruptive (to a degree)

39. Central Core, Thalamus Involves sensory information
5 senses: see, hear, taste, touch, smell
Communicates to higher parts of brain

40. Central Core, Hypothalamus
Located below Thalamus
Keeps body regulating
Like on autopilot
Homeostasis
Regulates elements such as
Body temperature
Nutrient storage and use
Survival functions/Basic instincts
Eating
Sex
Self-protection

41. The Limbic System
Components:
Amygdala
Hippocampus

42. Limbic System Amygdala and Hippocampus
Involved in emotions
Regulation
Responses
Interactions/reactions
Intense responses/changes can occur if damaged
Damage can be physical or psychological
Also involved with
Learning
Memory
Pleasure
Self-preservation
**Referred to as “Animal Brain”**

43. Cerebral Cortex Components: Four main “lobes” Frontal lobe
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
Parietal lobe

44. Functioning of the Cerebral Cortex
Motor area
Motor functioning
Very distinct
Can be manipulated to produce exact functions
Sensory area
Body sensations (touch, pressure, etc.)
Sight
Sound

45. Functioning of Cerebral Cortex continued
Association areas
Higher mental processes
Thinking
Language
Memory
Speech
Planning
Goal Setting
Judgment
Impulse control

46. Neuroplasticity Reorganization of brain Done internally
Controlled by brain

47. Neuroplasticity continued
Development of new cells
New neurons (neurogenesis)
New neural connections
Development in complexity of connections
Renewal of damaged/old neurons

48. Hemispheres
What do you know?

49. Right Hemisphere of Brain
Spatial relationships
Pattern recognition
Drawing
Music
Emotional expression

50. Left Hemisphere of Brain
Verbal competence
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Thinking
Information processing
Piece by piece

51. For Discussion Topics: Differences in hemispheres between: Biofeedback
Genders
Cultures
Age groups/generations
Biofeedback
Ability to control and regulate one’s bodily elements through conscious thought
Blood pressure
Heart rate
Respiration rate
Agree/disagree? Why? Thoughts? Concerns? Comments?