PSY 110 1st Edition Lecture 2 Outline of Last Lecture I. Intro to PsychII. Structuralism and FunctionalismIII. Schools of Thought in PsychologyIV. Contemporary Psychology PerspectivesV. Research EvaluationVI. Observational and Case StudiesVII. Survey ResearchVIII. Correlation MethodIX. Experimental MethodX. Experimental Method LimitationsOutline of Current Lecture I. TechnologyII. Imaging TechniquesIII. Neurons and NeurotransmittersIV. Human Nervous SystemCurrent Lecture TechnologyElectroencephalograph- Uses electrodes placed on scalp to amplify and record electrical activityin the brain.Electroencephalogram (EEG)- A record of brainwave activity.Microelectrode- A wire so small that it an be inserted near or into a single neuron without damaging it. Can be used to monitor electrical activity of a single neuron or to stimulate energy within it. Imaging TechniquesThese 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.CT Scan- Computerized Axial Tomography. Large, doughnut-shaped structure where an x-ray tube encircles the entire head and shoots x-rays through the brain as it rotates. A series of cross-sectional images reveal brain structures and any abnormalities.MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Produces clearer, more detailed images of structures without exposing people to potentially dangerous x-rays and can be used to find abnormalities in the CNS and other systems.PET Scan- Positron-Emission Tomography. Maps the patterns of blood flow, O2 use, and glucose consumption. It can also show the action of drugs and other biochemical substances in the brain and other bodily organs. Used to study normal brain activity and identify malfunctions that cause physical and psychological disorders.fMRI- Functional MRI. Uses magnetic impulses to create images of structures and brain activity.Important Advantages of fMRI’s:1. requires no injections (radioactive or other)2. can identify locations of activity more precisely than PET scans3. can detect changes that take place in less than a second vs. one minute for a PET scanNew Imaging Devices:1. SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device)2. MEG (Magnetoencephalography)3. DTI (Diffusionn Tensor Imaging) Neurons and NeurotransmittersNeurons- Specialized cells that conduct impulses through the nervous systemNeurotransmitters- Chemicals that facilitate or inhibit the transmission of impulses from one neuron to the nextStructure of a Neuron Cell Body- Soma. Contains the nucleus and carries out the metabolic, or life-sustaining, functions of a neuron.Dendrites- Primary receivers of signals from other neurons, but the cell body can also receive signals directly.Axon- Slender, tail-like extension of the neuron that sprouts into many branches.Axon Terminal- Bulbs at the end of the branches from the axon.*Glial Cells- Oligodendocytes. Specialized cells in the brain and spinal cord that support neurons. Smaller than neurons but make up more than half of the human brain. Remove waste products (ex. dead neurons) from brain and handle other manufacturing, nourishing, and cleanup tasks.Synapse- Junction where the axon terminal of a sending neuron communicates with a receiving neuron across the synaptic cleft.Synaptic Vesicles- Hold neurotransmitters in synaptic gapMyelin Sheath- A white, fatty coating wrapped around most axons that acts as insulation. Facilitates travel of impulses.Nodes of Ranvier- Exposed parts of axon (not covered in myelin sheath)Communication Between NeuronsResting Potential- When at rest (not firing), the axon membrane carries a slight negative electricpotential of about -70 millivolts relative to the fluid outside of the cell.Action Potential- The sudden reversal of the resting potential, which initiates the firing of a neuron.“All or None” Law- A neuron either fires completely or not at all, no in between**Neurons communicate through electrical impulses**Body fluids contain ions (positive/negative electrical charges)NeurotransmittersReceptors- Protein molecules on the surfaces of dendrites and cell bodies that have distinctive shapes and will interact with only specific neurotransmittersReuptake- Process by which neurotransmitters are taken from the synaptic cleft back into the axon terminal for later use, thus terminating their excitatory inhibitory effect on the receiving neuron.**neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites on dendrites of next neuron**receptor can expand and contract their enclosed volumes **neurotransmitters of diff. types can have similar shapes*Neurotransmitter *FunctionAcetylcholine (Ach) Affects movement, learning, memory, REM sleepDopamine (DA) Affects movement, attention, learning, reinforcement, pleasureNorepinephrine (NE) Affects eating, alertness, wakefulnessEpinephrine Affects metabolism of glucose, energy release during exerciseSerotonin Affects mood, sleep, appetite, impulsivity, aggressionGlutamate Active in areas of the brain involved in learning, thought, and emotionGABA Facilitates neural inhibition in the CNSEndorphins Provide relief from pain and feelings of pleasure and well-being Human Nervous SystemPeripheral Nervous System (PNS)- Includes all of the nerves that are NOT encased in bone (all neural tissue that lies outside of skull and backbone)-Somatic Nervous System: Consists of afferent and motor neurons (sensory and motor nerves)- eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin to the CNS which then relays messages to theskeletal muscles of the body-Autonomic Nervous System: Operates without conscious control or awareness. Transmits messages between CNS and glands, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscleso Sympathetic Nervous System: Fight or flight mode. Automatically mobilizes the body’s resources, preparing you for action any time you are under stress or facedwith emergencyo Parasympathetic Nervous System: Rest and digest mode. Once emergency is over,brings heightened bodily functions back to normal. Slows heart rate, pulse, and breathing, and digestive system resumes normal function.**sympathetic and parasympathetic branches act as opposing but complementary forcesCentral Nervous System (CNS)- Includes all neural tissues inside the skull and backbone (made up of spinal cord and brain)- Spinal Cord. “Extension of the brain”. A cylinder of neural tissue about the diameter of the little finger, extends from base of brain down spinal