10/8 AP Psych Class Announcements:Test or vocab quiz make-up:

Shaniya, Madeline, Brooklyn,

Aim: to discuss the functions of the nervous system categories, label the parts of the brain

Do NOW: “The Science of Love”Turn in article

HW: Bring Playdough!!

Help class Wed after school

10/11,14 AP Psych Class Announcements:Test or vocab quiz make-up: Aim: explain functions of

various parts of the brain

Do NOW: noneTurn in article answers

HW: practice questionsStudy for testTurn in ch 2 notecards

The Biology of Mind

Chapter 2

Ways we Study the Brain

• Accidents• Lesions• EEG• CAT Scan• PET Scan• MRI• Functional MRI

Accidents

Phineas Gage Story• Personality changed

after the accident.What does this tell us?• Answer: Different

parts of the brain control different aspects of who we are!!!!!

Phrenology

• Early attempt to study the brain

• Franz Gall• He tried to “map” out

the brain with corresponding personality traits.

• They were identified by feel the bumps on your head

Lesions

• Purposeful removal or destruction of some part of the brain.

Electroencephalogram

• EEG machine• Detects brain waves

through their electrical output.

• Used mainly in sleep research.

Computerized Axial Tomography

• CAT Scan• 3D X-Ray of the

brain.• Good for tumor

locating, but tells us nothing about function.

CT example

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

• MRI• More detailed picture

of brain using magnetic field to knock electrons off axis.

• Takes many still pictures (slices)and turns images into a movie like production.

• Does not study function!

MRI example

• Notice the tumor…

Positron Emission Tomographyor PET Scan• Measures how much of a chemical the brain is using (usually

glucose consumption). Patient drinks a radioactive sugar which show up when certain parts of the brain are being used.

• Good for studying function!!

PET scan• Depression

Functional MRI• Combination of PET and MRI• fMRI is good for function, hence the f.

The Biology of MindI. Neural Communication

Neurons

How Neurons Communicate

How Neurotransmitters Influence Us

II. The Nervous System

The Peripheral Nervous System

The Central Nervous System

III.The Brain

Neural Communication

Note the similarities in the above brain regions, which are all engaged in information processing.

Neurobiologists and other investigators understand that humans and animals operate

similarly when processing information.

Neural and Hormonal Systems

Will Explain Why We FEEL……

Pain

Strong

Sick

Nervous

NeuroanatomySynapseSynapse

Neurotransmitters (chemicals held in terminal buttons that travel through synaptic gap)

Parts of a Neuron

Cell Body: Life support center of the neuron.

Dendrites: Branching extensions at the cell body. Receive messages from other neurons.

Axon: Long single extension of a neuron, covered with myelin [MY-uh-lin] sheath to insulate and speed up messages through neurons.

Terminal Branches of axon: Branched endings of an axon that transmit messages to other neurons.

Parts of a neuron:

• http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/reward/madneuron.html

1. Resting potential……

• Draw the axon membrane at resting potential

Na+ (sodium) is outside the membrane

K+ (potassium) is inside the membrane too, but a mainly negative charge exists INSIDE the membrane.

Polarized

• At resting potential, we say the cell is polarized, that is, the + and – charge are at opposite position (one is in the membrane, one is outside).

2. Threshold Threshold: Each neuron receives excitatory and inhibitory signals from many neurons. When the excitatory signals minus the inhibitory signals exceed a

minimum intensity (threshold) the neuron fires an action potential.

Gas vs. brake pedals of a car!!!!

3. Action Potential4. Depolarization

Action Potential-if threshold is reached, process of firing begins. Gates open and Na+ ions begin moving in and out of the axon Depolarized- during action potential when the ions are moving in and out.

Action PotentialA neural impulse. A

brief electrical charge that travels down an

axon and is generated by the movement of positively charged atoms in and out of

channels in the axon’s membrane.

5. Refractory

•Refractory period- for a short time (before the ions can return to original position) the neuron can’t fire again immediately

•Ex: when you flush a toilet, you can’t flush again immediately

6. Repolarize

• The ions must go back to original position to be ready to fire again.

• EX: This is like when the toilet bowl is filling up with water

The All-or None Response

• The idea that either the neuron fires or it does not- no part way firing.

• Again, you can’t “kinda” flush a toilet!!

Review• Put the following events in their proper order

transmission to your “Study Buddy” :• Refractory

• Depolarized• Resting potential• Action potential

• repolarize• Threshold

• Excitatory vs. inhibitory signals• polarized

How does the brain perceive intensity, like pain?

By the number of times the neuron fires!!!!!!

How does the process create an electrical charge?The transfer of ions crossing the axon’s membrane causes an electrical charge.

Review:How does a Neuron fire?

• 1. Resting Potential: the neuron before it fires- is polarized

• 2. Threshold reached- more excitatory than inhibitory signals

• 3. action potential begins• 4. axon is depolarized – ions

move in and out• 5. refractory/repolarization-

reloading of ions- filling up the toliet bowl

So….how do nerve cells communicate?

• Do nerve cell touch each other and send the electrical charge to each other?

• How would they know what “message” to send?

• No!! They do not touch!

• They are separated by a tiny gap.

• So…how does each cell communicate across a gap?

At the 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.

NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitters

(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.

They fill in receptor sites like keys to a key hole.

Lock & Key Mechanism

Neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of the receiving neuron in a key-lock mechanism.

Reuptake

Neurotransmitters in the synapse are

reabsorbed into the sending neurons

through the process of reuptake. This

process applies the brakes on

neurotransmitter action.

Reuptake demonstration

• http://www.thirteen.org/closetohome/animation/coca-anim-main.html

• Neurotransmitters to know:

• 1.Dopamine• 2. ACH• 3. serotonin• 4. endorphins• 5. glutamate• 6. GABA

What is an SSRI?

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

• Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa etc…..

• These are anti-depressants that block the reuptake of serotonin, therefore, making sure the synapse is filled with serotonin

How is a neural transmission both an electrical and a chemical response?

• Electrical- action potential create electricity

• Chemical- at the synapse

1. Acetylcholine (ACH)

• Deals with motor movement and memory.

• Lack of ACh has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Serotonin

It’s pathways are involved with mood sleep and hunger.

Too little: depression

Too much: mania

From Mapping the Mind, Rita Carter, © 1989 University of California Press

3. Dopamine• Its function is:

motor movement, pleasure and

alertness.

Too little: dopamine is associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Too much : is associated with

schizophrenia.

Norepinephine

• Chemically the same as adrenaline• Controls alertness and arousal

• Too little: depression

4. Endorphins• Function deals with pain

control.

We become addicted to endorphin causing feelings.

5. GABA

• an inhibitory neurotransmitter

• Too much: you become sedate, drowsy

• Too little: anxiety

6. Glutamate• An excitatory neurotransmitter

Too much: MSG excites neurons, starting migraines

Too little: memory , concentration problems

Drugs can be…..

• Agonists- mimc and make neuron fire

• Antagonists- stop neural firing

• Reuptake Inhibitors- block reuptake

What are agonists and antagonists?

• Agonists mimic neurotransmitters.• Ex: Morphine mimics endorphin.

• Antagonists block neurotransmitters:• Ex: curare blocks ACh (paralyzes you)

Botox blocks ACh

Agonists

Antagonists

Types of Neurons

• Sensory (afferent) Neurons- from senses to spinal cord

• Interneurons from spinal cord to brain

• Motor (efferent) Neurons-from brain back to muscles, glands

Neural Chain

What about a reflex?

• Sensory neuron motor neuron

• Hit knee to spinal cord motor neuron

There is no “inter neuron” involved!!!!!!

Nervous System

CentralNervousSystem(CNS)

PeripheralNervousSystem(PNS)

The Nervous System

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Sympathetic NS “Arouses”

(fight-or-flight)

Parasympathetic NS “Calms”

(rest and digest)

Central Nervous System

The Brain and Neural Networks

Complex Neural Network

Interconnected neurons form networks in the brain. Theses networks are complex and modify with growth and experience.

The Endocrine System

The Endocrine System is the body’s “slow”

chemical communication

system. Communication is

carried out by hormones

synthesized by a set of glands.

Hormones

Hormones are chemicals synthesized by the endocrine glands that are secreted in the

bloodstream. Hormones affect the brain and many other tissues of the body.

For example, epinephrine (adrenaline) increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and feelings of excitement during

emergency situations.

Pituitary Gland

Is called the “master gland.” The anterior pituitary lobe releases hormones that

regulate other glands. The posterior lobe regulates water and salt balance.

Adrenal GlandsAdrenal glands secretes hormones

(epinephrine and norepinephrine :a.k.a adrenaline) during stressful and emotional

situationsbtw: norepinephrine is both a

neurotransmitter and a hormone

•Nervous System Practice Questions

Answers:

• 1. B 8. B• 2. A 9. A• 3. C 10. B• 4. C 11. E• 5. B 12. A• 6. A 13. B• 7. B 14. D

The Brain

Thanks to KAP at www.appsychology.com!.

The Brain: Older Brain Structures

The Brainstem is the oldest part of the brain, beginning where the spinal cord swells and enters the skull. It is responsible for automatic survival

functions.

Brainstem

The Medulla [muh-DUL-uh] is the base

of the brainstem that controls heartbeat

and breathing.

Pons• Located just

above the medulla.

• Involved in facial expressions. (Pons = yawns)

Reticular Formation

• controls arousal and ability to focus our attention.

• Reticular = net (like pantyhose); opens

during day• Damage to it results in

comaIf Destroyed

Thalamus• Switchboard “relay

station” of the brain.• Receives sensory

signals from the spinal cord and sends them to other parts of the brain.

• Receives info from every sense except smell.

Cerebellum

• Bottom rear of the brain.

• Means “little brain”

• Coordinates fine muscle movements and balance.

The Limbic System

The Limbic System: our emotional center!!!!

• The Limbic System is a doughnut-shaped system of neural associated with emotions such as fear, aggression and drives for food and sex.

Hypothalamus• Maybe most

important structure in the brain!!!!

Controls• Sleep• Eating, drinking• Pleasure, emotions• Body temperatureThe most powerful structure in the brain.

Rat with an Implanted Electrode in pleasure center of Hypothalamus

Reward pathways

• http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/introvtk/player/pages/inst_Browes_page.aspx?From=Search&Tab=bPage&SearchTerm=brain&SearchFrom=Gen

Hippocampus• Involved in the

processing and storage of memories.

• Its proximity to your emotional centers explains why memories and emotions are so linked!

Amy G. Dala

• Is a very emotional girl “Drama Queen”

Amygdala

• Brain part involved in telling your body to produce norepinephrine (adrenaline)

• More involved in volatile emotions like anger and jealousy.

What would happen to you if your limbic system were disconnected from you frontal lobe?

• The Phineas Gage

Story

Cerebral Cortex

• The intricate fabric of interconnected neural cells that covers the cerebral hemispheres. It is the body’s ultimate control and information processing center.

• It’s what marks us different from animals!

Features of he Cerebral Cortex

• Made up of densely packed neurons we call “gray matter”

• Glial Cells: support brain cells.

• Wrinkles are called fissures.

• It’s divided into 2 hemispheres and 4 lobes!

The Cerebral Cortex is made up of four Lobes.

Frontal Lobe

• Controls abstract thought, personality and emotional control and planning.

• Developed frontal lobe = maturity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Lobotomies damage this.

What is the motor cortex?• Part of the brain in the frontal lobe that tells my body how

to move (like typing this).

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/brain/#

What is the sensory cortex?

It’s the part that senses our 5 senses. It’sIn the parietal lobe.

What are Motor and Sensory Cortexes?

The wires are switched! Right controls left!The motor cortex is in which lobe?

Parietal Lobes• Contain Sensory

Cortex: receives incoming touch sensations from rest of the body.

• Most of the Parietal Lobes are made up of Association Areas.

Occipital Lobes

• Think “optical”.• Contains Visual

Cortex: interprets messages from our eyes into images we can understand.

Temporal Lobes

• Located in the thumb-shaped area

• Process sound sensed by our ears.

• Interpreted in Auditory Cortex.

Specialization and Integration in Language

LanguageAphasia is an impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage

either to Broca’s area (impaired speaking) or to Wernicke’s area (impaired understanding).

Language areas

1. Broca’s – speech “He broca his tongue and can’t speak!”

2. Wenicke’s – allows you to understand what others are saying

“I don’t understand why Nick and Jessica broke up”

3. Angular Gyrus – allows to read in your head

Corpus Callosum

• The “bridge” between the two hemispheres

The brain is sculpted by our genes but also by our experiences.

Plasticity refers to the brain’s ability to modify itself after some types of injury or

illness.

“Practice makes perfect”- the more you practice a skill, the more the brain changes.

Plasticity

The hemispheres of the brain

Left Hemisphere: logic, sequential and language tasks .

Right Hemisphere: spatial, creative tasks and name recognition.

Video: Split brain patient

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFgtGIL7vEY

• 10 minutes

Review: Brain Parts

List all the parts of the brain you would be

using for the following tasks:

Watching a horror movie

Driving a car

Arguing with someone by text message