1. Unit 3 A Biological Bases of Behavior
Neural Processing and the Endocrine System

2. Unit 3A: Biological Bases of Behavior: Neural Processing and the Endocrine System

3. Unit Overview Neural Communication The Nervous System
The Endocrine System
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4. Biological Psychology
branch of psychology concerned with the links between biology and behavior
some biological psychologists call themselves behavioral neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, behavior geneticists, physiological psychologists, or biopsychologists

5. Neural Communication

6. Types of Neurons Sensory neurons Motor neurons Interneurons
Carry information from sensory systems to the brain
Also referred to as afferent
Motor neurons
Carry information from the brain to muscles and glands
Also referred to as efferent
Interneurons
Carry information between other neurons

7. Structure of Neurons Terminal Branches Dendrites Cell Body (Soma) Axon
Carry information to the cell body from other neurons
Cell Body (Soma)
Contains nucleus
Axon
Carries information to the next cell
Myelin Sheath
Insulates the axon and speeds up the neural impulse
Terminal Branches
Found at the end of neurons, connects to the dendrites of next neuron, contains chemical messengers.

8. Neurons

9. Speed of a neuron impulse
Neurons
Speed of a neuron impulse
Range from 2 to 200 MPH
Measured in milliseconds
(thousandths of a second)

10. Selectively permeable
Neurons
Firing of a neuron
Action potential
Ions
Positively versus
negatively charged
Resting potential
Selectively permeable

11. Neural Communication Resting Potential
Nothing is happening. The gates are closed and the positive ions are on the outside with the negative ions on the inside of the cell.
“Negative Ions inside the Neuron is Natural”
Action Potential – (Neural Impulse)
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon
generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of channels in the axon’s membrane
This process is due to stimulation from either heat, chemicals, pressure or light

12. Neurons Firing of a neuron Depolarize Refractory period
Excitatory versus inhibitory
Threshold
All or none response

13. The Neural Impulse Polarization Depolarization
When the inside of the Neuron is negatively charged relative to the outside (resting potential)
Depolarization
When the electrical charge of a cell moves toward zero

14. Neural Communication Refractory Period (Reload, Recharge) Threshold
The time it takes for the positive ions to be pumped out.
Threshold
the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

15. Action Potential

16. How Neurons Communicate
Synapse
Synaptic gap (synaptic cleft)
Neurotransmitters
Reuptake

17. Synapse
Synapse [SIN-aps] a junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron. This tiny gap is called the synaptic gap or cleft.
OBJECTIVE 4| Describe how nerve cells communicate. Synapse was coined by Lord Sherrington ( ) who inferred it through behavioral experiments. Cajal ( ) described the synapse based on his anatomical studies of the brain.

18. Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters (chemicals) released from the sending neuron travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing it to generate an action potential.

19. Reuptake
Neurotransmitters in the synapse are reabsorbed into the sending neurons through the process of reuptake. This process applies the brakes on neurotransmitter action.

20. How Neurons Communicate

21. How Neurotransmitters Influence Us
Acetylcholine (AcH)
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
GABA
Glutamate
Endorphins

23. Agonists versus antagonists
How Neurotransmitters Influence Us How Drugs and Other Chemicals Alter Neurotransmitters
Agonists versus antagonists
Agonists (Act)
Antagonists (Block)

24. Agonists and Antagonists

25. Psychopharmacology Curare (koo-ra-ray) Antipsychotic medications
Can stun or kill prey quickly
Blocks ACh receptors causing paralysis
Antipsychotic medications
Block dopamine receptors
Reduces schizophrenic hallucinations
Caffeine
Increases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters by blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine (a-den-oh-seen)

26. Psychopharmacology How do drugs and alcohol affect our brains?
Mouse party

27. The Nervous System
Nervous System: The bodies speedy, electrochemical communication network.
Central Nervous System (CNS): the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): the sensory and motor neurons that connect the body to the CNS

28. Peripheral Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System: Controls Voluntary Actions. (I volunteer “Somah” community is a better place. )
Autonomic Nervous System: Controls our glands and muscles of internal organs.. “My love, you Autonomically make my heart beat”
Sympathetic Nervous System: arouses and expands energy. When I feel sympathy for someone, my heart beats for them.
Parasympathetic Nervous System: Conserves energy and calms the body. ”I’m so calm I feel paralyzed.”

30. A Simple Reflex

31. The Nervous System Reflex
a simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus
Skin
receptors
Muscle
Sensory neuron
(incoming information)
Motor neuron
(outgoing
information)
Brain
Interneuron
Spinal cord

32. Endocrine System
Endocrine System: the body’s “Slow” communication system.
Hormones: Chemical messengers that travel through the body and brain and affect our behavior.
Adrenal Glands: secrete hormones that arouse the body in times of stress.
Pituitary Glands: Regulates growth and controls the other endocrine glands.