PSYC 1315 1st Edition Lecture 7 Outline of Last Lecture I Neural networks II Ways to study the brain III Lobes of the cerebral cortex IV Parts of the brain V Hemispheres of the cortex Outline of Current Lecture I Brain size and structure II Endocrine system III Brain damage plasticity and repair IV Genetics and behavior V Health and wellness Current Lecture I Brain Size and Structure a Across species all mammalian brains have the relatively same organization meaning that they are in the same relative location and are proportional in size Except for the olfactory bulb which is large in dogs but small in humans b Does size ratio or weight predict intelligence i Size Sperm Whales have the largest brain ii Brain to body ratio Chihuahuas have the highest brain to body ratio of all dogs iii Weight Difficult to accurately measure iv Size is not related to how intelligent These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute II v The surface area lining of the brain amount of grey matter is an indicator of IQ c Comparison of Men and Women i Men on average have a larger brain than women but equal IQs ii Grooves in men s brains are not as deep as in women s brains so surface area is about the same 1 Men a Larger amydgala b Larger left temporal cortex c Spoke 15 700 words per day d Respond NSWE to directions e Easily rotate mental objects 2 Women a Larger hippocampus b Greater density of neurons in their temporal lobe c Deeper sulci in the cortex d Spoke 16 200 word per day e Respond with land marks to directions The Endocrine System a Consists of a set of glands that regulate the activities of certain organs by releasing their chemical products into the bloodstream b Glands are organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals hormones that control many of our bodily functions c Hormones Chemical messengers from the endocrine glands d Pituitary gland Known as the master gland regulates growth and functions of other glands i works with the hypothalamus e Adrenal gland Located at the top of the kidney regulate moods energy levels and stress i Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine ii Epinephrine adrenaline can also be a neurotransmitter f Pancreas A dual purpose gland under the stomach that performs both digestive and endocrine functions This region is essential for producing insulin which controls out glucose blood sugar levels in the body and is related to metabolism body weight and obesity g Ovaries sex related endocrine glands in the uterus that produce hormones related to women s sexual development and reproduction i Estrogen h Testes sex related endocrine glands in the scrotum that produce hormones related to men s sexual development i Testosterone i III IV V Hypothalamus connects the nervous system and the endocrine system to work together Brain Damage Plasticity and Repair a The brain has more plasticity at an earlier age i Before 5 years old if brain gets damaged other parts will substitute and take over control of the functions b Three methods of repair i Collateral Sprouting the process by which axons of some healthy neurons adjacent to damaged cells grow new branches ii Substitution of Function the process by which the damaged region s function is taken over by another area or areas of the brain iii Neurogenesis the process by which new neurons are generated 1 Neurogenesis occurs in mice 2 Exercise increases social isolation decreases 3 Neurogenesis occurs in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb 4 Brain gafts donated cells and tissue sometimes from aborted fetuses to repair 5 Stem cells unique cells that have the capacity to develop into most types of human cells also controversial b c use aborted fetuses Genetics and Behavior a Chromosomes contain our DNA which carries our genetic information i Normal humans have 46 chromosomes ii Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes b Genes are short chromosome segments composed of DNA Approx 20 500 genes c Dominant recessive gene principle the dominant gene overrides the recessive gene d Investigate Genetics i Molecular genetics the manipulation of genes using technology to determine their effect on behavior ii Selective breeding a genetic method in which organisms are chosen for reproduction based on how much of a particular trait they display 1 Gregor Mendel used pea plants 2 Robert Tryon 1940 bred rats that were the best at finishing the maze iii Genome Wide Association Method identifying genetic variations linked to a particular disease such as cancer or Autism iv Behavior genetics the study of the degree and nature of heredity s influence on behavior 1 Identical twins act more similar than fraternal twins Health and Wellness a Stress is the response of individuals to stressors which are the circumstances and events that threaten them and tax their coping abilities b Acute vs Chronic i Acute stress is good makes you alert ii Chronic if acute lasts too long its bad c Stress hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine i Get you ready for fight or flight d Being aware of the upcoming stress is bad and prolongs recuperation