1. The Brain

2. Early Brain Psychology
1800’s- German physician Franz Gall invented phrenology.
He thought bumps on the skull could reveal mental abilities and character traits
Today, neuroscientists study the effect of the brain on behavior.

3. Neuron- a brain cell

4. Neuron- a brain cell Dendrites Axon terminal Soma (Cell Body) Nucleus
Myelin Sheath

5. Parts of the neuron Dendrites- receive messages from other cells
Cell body (soma)- keeps the cell alive
Axon- passes messages from the cell body to other cells
Myelin sheath- fatty covering of the axon that speeds up the message
Terminal branches- form junctions with other cells

6. How neurons communicate
The dendrites receive a message from another neuron
If the dendrites receive enough “yes” signals, the neuron sends an action potential down the axon

7. How neurons communicate
When the message reaches the terminal branches of the axon, they release a neurotransmitter into the synapse.
The neurotransmitter attaches to the appropriate spots in the dendrites of the next neuron.

8. Things to know about neurons
All or nothing principle- a neuron either fires or does not, no partial response
Threshold- the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

9. Neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine- enable muscle action, learning and memory
Dopamine- influences movement, attention, and emotion
Serotonin- affects moods and drives
Norepinephrine- controls alertness and arousal
Glutamate- major excitatory (YES)
GABA- major inhibitory (NO)

16. Endorphins Feel-good neurotransmitters
Endogenous “produced within” morphine
Released to help reduce pain

17. Endorphins block pain

18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n8UjH9h_8I What can a lack
Of Dopamine cause?
Parkinson’s Disease

19. Drugs
Blood-brain barrier- a “fence” that keeps unwanted substances from the brain
Drugs can either mimic or block the effects of neurotransmitters
Mimic- brain may stop producing neurotransmitters
Block- the signal doesn’t make it

20. The Nervous System
Organs and glands
Muscles
Arousing
Calming

21. The Nervous System Central Somatic Peripheral Autonomic
Organs and glands
Muscles
Parasympathetic
Sympathetic
Arousing
Calming

22. Types of Neurons Sensory- they sense the outside world
Motor- they tell the body to move
Interneurons- connect sensory and motor neurons
What can happen when our motor neurons don’t function properly?:

23. Definitions
Neural Networks- groups of neurons that work together to perform a function
Reflexes- automatic, inborn responses to sensory input

24. Studying the Brain
Electroencephalogram (EEG)- is an amplified recording of electrical waves sweeping across the brain’s surface. Can be measured by electrodes placed on the scalp.
PET Scan (positron emission tomography) is a visual display of brain activity that detects a radioactive form of glucose while the brain performs a given task.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer generated images that distinguish among different types of brain tissue.
CT Scan- Computed Tomography- The cross-sectional images generated during a CT scan can be reformatted in multiple planes, and can even generate three- dimensional images. These images can be viewed on a computer monitor, printed on film or transferred to a CD or DVD.

25. The Brain

26. Brain Parts Frontal Lobe- thinking and reasoning
Parietal Lobe- sensation and spatial thinking
Temporal Lobe- hearing
Occipital Lobe- sight
Cerebellum- “little brain”, coordination and balance
Brain Stem- automatic functions such as breathing

27. Limbic System- basic emotions.
*Click on pic

28. Limbic Parts- Thalamus- sensory control switch
Hypothalamus- drives (eating, sleeping, drinking)
Hippocampus- memory
Amygdala- emotion

29. Association areas- connections

30. Association Areas-

31. Definitions Plasticity- the ability of the brain to change itself
Unused areas get taken over and reengineered to do something new
Corpus Callosum- the neural fibers that connect the two the halves of the brain

32. Hemispheres Left Right Right side of Body Speech Rational Thinking
Literal Comprehension
Left side of Body
Emotion
Creativity
Subtle Inferences

33. Are you Right/Left Brained?
Wagner Preference Inventory

34. Endocrine System
Hypothalamus Pituitary gland  all other glands (esp. adrenal glands)