Objectives: Chapter 3(Biological Psychology)Read pages Chapter 31. Know the parts of a neuron and their functions. Define synapse. Neurons are brain cells that specialize in communication. There are around 100 billion neurons, with around 160 billion connections between them. Oddly shaped. Synapse is the place where the axon of one neuron meets the dendrite of another neuron. A synaptic gap is defined as the space between two neurons (the neurons don’t quite touch).2. Know how communications are sent within a neuron.Dendrites receive info as electrochemical messages, and the myelin sheath accelerates this information as info travel down axon. 3. Know how neurons use neurotransmitters to communicate with each other. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that neurons use to communicate with one another. Neurons respond to neurotransmitters by generating electrical activity. When there are not neurotransmitters acting on a neuron, it is at the resting potential. When there is enough of a charge inside the neuron (threshold), an action potential will occur. During an action potential, positive particles rapidly flow into the axon. Action potential is abrupt waves of electric discharge triggered by a change in charge inside the axon. This is theneuron “firing,” an all-or-none response. Between firings, there is a brief absolute refractory period. Neurons can fire 100 to 1000 times per second. Communication inside neurons is electrical, but communication between neurons is chemicalvia neurotransmitters. When neurotransmitters are released, they bind with the receptor sites of the next neuron. The process is halted by reuptake, when neurotransmitters go back into the axon terminal. Different neurotransmitters are different messengers; some excite and others inhibit the nervous system.4. Know the function of GABA, Glutamate, Serotonin, and Dopamine.Two most common neurotransmitters in central nervous system are GABA and Glutamate. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter; it decreases the chance neurons will communicate. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter increasing the chance neurons will communicate.Serotonin governs mood and temperature regulation, aggression, and sleep cycles.Dopamine governs motor function and reward.5. Know Glial Cells.Glial cells are supporting cells (1:1 ratio with neurons), clear up debris, repair neurons; help speed up neuronal communication.6. Identify the two major divisions of the nervous system, and describe their functions. Central Nervous System – Processes, interprets, stores information; issues order to muscles, glands, and organs. Mainly brain and spinal cord.Peripheral Nervous System – Transmits information to and from the nervous system. Autonomic (involuntary movement - parasympathetic, sympathetic) and somatic (voluntary movement).7. Identify the two major components of the peripheral nervous system, and describe theirfunctions. The Somatic Nervous System – Interacts with external environment:- Sends signals from the sense organs (eyes, ears, tongue, etc.) and skin to the central nervoussystem.- Sends signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles, directing your voluntary movements.8. Identify the two major components of the autonomic nervous system, and describe theirfunctions. The Autonomic Nervous System is the regulation of internal environment. It connects the central nervous system to involuntary muscles and organs (e.g., the heart, the stomach, the liver), and to the body’s hormone-producing glands. Made up of:Sympathetic Nervous System – Active during flight or fight response (arousing)- Dilates pupil- Accelerates heartbeat- Inhibits digestion- Stimulates glucose release by liver- Stimulates secretion of epinephrine, norepinephrine- Relaxes bladder- Stimulates ejaculation in maleParasympathetic Nervous System – Active during rest and digestion (calming)- Contracts pupil- Slows heartbeat- Stimulates digestion- Contracts bladder- Allows blood flow to sex organs9. Know the structure of the cerebral cortex, and explain the various functions of the four lobes.The forebrain is the most developed area of the human brain. Each hemisphere is divided intofour lobes, separates by fissures, and two hemispheres (left & right), connected by the corpuscallosum.The frontal lobe assists motor function, language, and memory. It has an executive functioning. Motor cortext, extend fingers, move lips, etc.. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for thinking, planning, and language. Plays a role in personality and mood.Phinneaus Gage (spike through skull, lived, normal, but mentally changed). Broca’s area is incharge of language production. If damaged, there is a loss of ability to produce language (written or spoken).Parietal lobe is specialized for touch and perception. It contains the somatosensory cortex, making it sensitive to pressure, pain, and temperature. Every time we reach, grasp, or move our eyes, the parietal lobe communicates information to the motor cortex. Temporal lobe plays a role in hearing and understanding language. Sustains autobiographicalmemories. It consists an auditory cortex, and Wernicke’s area (Wernicke’s aphasia severely impairs reading and writing ability).Occipital lobe is specialized for vision and contains the visual cortex.10. Know the basal ganglia.Forebrain structure that helps control movement. Allows us to perform movements to obtain rewards and reinforcement. Damage to the basal ganglia can contribute to Parkinson’s disease.11. Know the functions of the limbic system (thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala).The limbic system is the emotional center of the brain, and also plays a role in smell, motivation, and memory.Thalamus – Sits on top of the brainstem, known as the brain’s “sensory switchboard”. The Thalamus receives sensory input (except smell) and sends info to specialized regions of the brain.Hypothalamus – Regulates the body’s internal environment and select emotions (anger & fear) and drives (hunger, thirst, & sexuality).Hippocampus – Fighting, fleeing, feeding, and sexAmygdala – Tied to emotions such as aggression and fear. Is important in the information of emotional memories.12. Know the structure of the brain stem and hindbrain and the functions of the parts. The brain stem connects the cerebral cortex and spinal cord. It can perform some basic bodilyfunctions, and serves as a relay station between the cortex and rest of the
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